Blackberry 8700 Cell Phone Review - Tour & Design
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Alfredo Padilla Published on March 16, 2007 Comment on this |
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Front Closed
The front of the Blackberry 8703e is dominated by a large 2.5” landscape orientation screen. Below the screen are the send and end buttons, flanking a single web browser shortcut key whose function can be reassigned. Below these keys is a large QWERTY keyboard. At the top right, you will find an LED, and just above the screen is the Blackberry branding which is below the call speaker.
Left
On the left side of the device, as you hold it in your hand, are two ports and a single button. At the top is the 2.5mm headset jack, and just below it, is a standard mini USB port. Towards the middle of the left side is a configurable shortcut key that is assigned to profiles by default.
Top
The top of the phone are two buttons. On the left hand side is a power button, and on the right a mute button.
Bottom
There is nothing on the bottom of the Blackberry 8703e.
Right
The right side of the Blackberry 8703e has the typical Blackberry scroll wheel with a dedicated back key below it.
Back
The back of the phone is dominated by the door for the user replaceable battery. Above this is the grill for the speaker phone.
Battery Out
There are no important features in the battery bay. The Blackberry 8703e from Sprint is a CDMA phone, which means there is no SIM card slot. The 8703e has an 1800 mAh capacity battery.
In the Box (5.0)
The Blackberry 8703e from Sprint ships with manuals, a CD that includes the Blackberry desktop client, a travel charger, USB cable, headset and holster.
Handling (4.0)
The 8703e is a large phone, blocky in shape but with curved edges that make it easier to hold. The Blackberry devices are meant to sit in the palm of you hand with your thumb on the scroll wheel. Despite its size, the 8703e fits comfortably in even small hands when being used in this fashion. It does become a bit uncomfortable when being held to your head for long periods of time. Although the QWERTY keyboard is easy to use, the phone’s weight again makes it tiring to hold for extended periods. The smooth plastic build of the 8703e is slightly slick and when not being held firmly, it can slip out of your hand. Overall, we found the 8703e a little tiring to use for extended periods.
Portability (3.0)
The Blackberry 8703e’s dimensions are 4.3” x 2.7” x .8” and it weighs in at 4.7 ounces. As we stated above, it is not a small device, and it is not easily portable. It definitely fills up a pocket, and although, it will fit in most purses or hand bags. It won’t slip easily into a side pocket. We appreciate that the 8703e includes a holster that you can clip to your belt. Compared to newer Blackberries, like the Pearl, the 8703e is not a very portable device.
Aesthetic (2.0)
Let’s face it, the Blackberry 8703e is not a pretty device, but it’s not meant to be either. There is a certain professional look in the all black design with silver highlights, but few will look at the 8703e and think it's bling. Even compared to other Blackberries, like the Pearl or the 8800, the 8703e lacks aesthetic appeal.
Durability (10.0)
The Blackberry 8703e feels like a very solid device. There were no creaks while we used it, and the lack of hinges and other moving parts gives us confidence that it will last. Blackberries have a reputation for being hardy devices, and we have little fear that the 8703e with its solid plastic construction will not live up to that reputation. We feel more confident about the 8703e’s construction than the newer lineup of slim smart phones like the Motorola Q or the Samsung Blackjack.
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