BlackBerry Pearl 8130 Cell Phone Review - Value & Comparisons

Value (5.0)
The Pearl is available for $199 after a $100 online discount. It’s a small, nice-looking device with a ton of great software, though somewhat lacking multimedia functionality. The Pearl 8130, however, finds itself in a bit of a bind in terms of value. It has older versions of itself to compete with, which are around $50, but have far inferior cameras. While we think this price has a bit of an early-adopter fee included, we don’t necessarily think it’s a bad deal. Your money will definitely get you a solid handset, though if you’re looking for straight-up features, you might want to spend a bit more and buy the Curve, or perhaps the HTC Tilt.

Comparisons

Palm Centro -The Centro is a very cheap smart phone -- only $100 with contract -- and provides solid all-around functionality. The Pearl has it beat in terms of GPS and messaging, and it also has a much better keyboard. This is definitely a viable option, as it's essentially a toned-down version of the Pearl both in price and functionality. If you can afford to have the Centro's red plastic case in your boardroom, you should definitely give it a try to see if you prefer the operating system.

HTC Tilt - The Tilt is a better deal in terms of a price-to-functionality ratio. The phone does a lot for you. The only downside to the Tilt is its lag. It's also quite a bit bigger than the Pearl. This match-up will most likely come down to either OS preference or pricing. The Pearl is a bit cheaper and easier to pick up and use, but it also isn't as powerful. In general, we'd say the tie-breaking vote should be cast by your level of experience with smart phones. The Tilt will take a lot longer to learn than the Pearl. The Pearl is also less of an investment in a device you're not even sure you'll like, need, or use to its fullest.

Sidekick LX - The Sidekick LX's worth lies in an entirely different area than the Pearl's. The Pearl is much better for business users, and the Sidekick is much better for a younger demographic. The Sidekick isn't put together as well as the Pearl, and it lacks the software quality, but it does its primary function well. If music is your thing, you should consider the Sidekick and its ilk. If you're looking for professional, the Pearl's your pick.

BlackBerry Curve 8320 - Brother against brother. When you need to pick a BlackBerry, which one should you choose? This decision is like the above one: it depends on what you're looking for. In this case, however, the distinction is far less clear. The Pearl can capture video, an improved browser, and has a GPS. The Curve has better software and wi-fi capabilities, but comes with more bulk, lag, and cost. The Curve also comes with a bit more software. The Pearl seems to be more consumer-based, while the 8320 leans towards professional.

Nokia N73 - The Nokia N73 is basically what the Pearl is, a consumer smart phone, but better in virtually every aspect and with a larger bill to foot. The camera is one of the best out there now. This match-up will come down to a few questions. First of all, how much do you expect from your phone? Secondly, how much are you willing to spend? Third, are you new to smart phones, or have an OS preference? Once you've answered those three questions, you should have a better idea of what phone to pick. If you're on the fence, you should go for the Pearl.

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