Comments on: RIM stock drops on poor Pearl Flip sales

By: GtBoss

GtBoss — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:56:40 +0000

I really, really wanted to get the Flip. But now that it’s out, it just doesn’t make $$ and sense. Here’s the math for the 2yr commit here in Seattle….

RIM Pearl 8220 Flip…
Phone cost $150 + Monthly voice plan $40 + Data Plan $25 = $1710.00 total life of contract.

HTC G1…
Phone cost $200 + Monthly voice plan $40 + Data Plan $25 = $17160.00 total life of contract.

So, for another $50, I can browse the web with 3G, enjoy a larger screen, have a useable GPS, have way more application choices, and (add your personal pref here).

The Flip is a great voice phone, email reader, and music player, but not a great web browser. It doesn’t need a $25/mo data plan. They would of sold thousands more at the $50 price point without the data requirement. I gotta spend $700 more to browse the web on that tiny screen? I don’t think so. I got over priced gas to pay for.

By: Conrad Longmore

Conrad Longmore — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:35:08 +0000

Why would a candybar or slide be an improvement over a flip? The flip format gives you more room for the keyboard and screen and helps prevent making accidental calls when it’s in your pocket or bag. I’ve always thought that the clamshell / flip design is the most logical one for a phone.. but for some reason it’s just not fashionable in Europe.

I’m definitely after a BlackBerry flip.. but T-Mobile UK don’t have it yet. It’s a much more practical design than the ordinary Pearl!

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:40:56 +0000

Well I had choice the E71 phone of the year and best smartphone 2008

By: AC

AC — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:16:05 +0000

@JG Mason: “Backwards”? How do you figure…?

The vast majority of mobile handsets in Japan are flips, and I wouldn’t exactly call them backwards.

By: Will Park

Will Park — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:23:03 +0000

I would have thought the 8220 would have at least hit par with expectations.

By: JG Mason

JG Mason — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:08:55 +0000

I figured I was just out of touch. I feel a little better knowing my gut was right on this flip BB. If a user wants pro-grade email, they’ve probably already converted to a candybar or slider phone. No one wants to go backwards.