Hands-on with the BlackBerry 8350i
By Simon Sage on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at 8:14 AM PST In BlackBerry, Sprint
Announced back at CTIA, the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) 8350i running on iDEN has been a long time coming, what with the 7100i being the last BlackBerry to enjoy push-to-talk functionality. Although it’s packing the usual Curve form factor, it’s apparently got some extra bulk to it. Unfortunately, that doesn’t translate to the levels of ruggedization that are demanded in PTT environments, so hopefully we can see an OtterBox made for this thing soon after it comes out. Look out for the BlackBerry 8350i from Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel this December.
[via InfoSync]
Come on guys – iDEN BB? Do the math… It’s a Rev A Curve with PTT branded Nextel. Nice addition Sprint’s BB line up…
Release date for the New Blackberry Curve 8350i will be released 12/01/09.It will be $149.99 after a $100.00 mail in rebate. I will be able to get additional discounts on the device as well as a free vehicle charger upon activation. You can contact me at cpowell@vazcom.net. Our company has locations in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. We provide sales, service and support for the 5 major cellualr provider. I will be taking pre orders as of 11/2. Take advantage now. They are already have a high demand.
The PTT is still powered by iDEN, Tom. Dig the press release:
“The BlackBerry Curve 8350i will be the latest BlackBerry smartphone to utilize iDEN technology and feature Nextel Direct Connect…”
A week ago, I went to Sprint and got the Blackberry 8330. Sprint’s 3G network is blazingly fast. Then I saw a colleague with a Blackberry 8350i, so I went back to Sprint and exchanged the 8330 for the 8350i—since my job requires me to also have a walkie-talkie.
The Sprint salesperson did point out that the 8350i runs on the Nextel radio network, but failed to make it clear that Nextel’s network is slow and nowhere near Sprint’s 3G network. The store only had two 8350i’s and I was lucky enough to get one before they were put out as display models.
Now I’m stuck with the 8350i (since Sprint would only allow one return/exchange within 30 days of purchase) which takes 2, 3 or 4 times longer than the 8330 to open a website. Watching Youtube.com is a joke as Nextel’s network is rather slow.
If you love to surf the ‘net, don’t get the 8350i and stick with Sprint’s 8330 or other 8000 models running on the 3G network. But if you use the walkie-talkie more than you surf the ‘net, then get the 8350i.
I know I cannot have everything in one phone such as the 8350i. But considering that I have to now carry only one phone instead of three (and capable of using the 16gig MicroSD compared to the 8330’s 2 gig capacity) —more than outweighs the shortcomings of the 8350i running on Nextel’s network.
Overall, I’m still happy with the 8350i. I only wished that Nextel runs on the 3G network.