RIM is known for producing BlackBerry mobile phones that follow a similar design theme, so it’s not often that a totally innovative BlackBerry device hits shelves. Enter the Pearl Flip 8220, a clamshell handset with familiar BlackBerry capabilities.
Pros
The Pearl Flip 8220 has a solid body, a super bright screen, and a pleasant keypad. There are also the added benefits of instant call answering and the security of having the keypad protected when the phone is closed.
The Flip uses an interface similar to that of the BlackBerry Bold and is fairly easy to use. The phone supports a good number of apps for things like social networking and BlackBerry Maps.
Internet connection is achieved through Wi-Fi, EDGE, or GPRS. Users can browse full web pages with Opera Mini, and the Flip supports up to ten different email accounts from all the major webmail providers and most corporate servers.
Cons
There’s no 3G connection, which is a shame, and the lack of GPS seems a curious omission for a smartphone.
The music player is decent and features a 3.5mm headphone jack, but the player can only be controlled when the phone is open.
The Flip’s 2 megapixel camera is something of a disappointment, as well. It takes good pictures for MMS messages and small formats, but its limited options and the absence of a flash make taking high quality shots nearly impossible.
Conclusion
The Flip is light on some of the more advanced features found on the latest mobile phones, but it is largely forgiven thanks to its email capabilities and easy to use keypad.
