[rowle1jt]

Long time lurker and reader, I am a BES administrator, but do not keep up on the phones as much as I would like to. I will be getting a new Blackberry soon and have the choice of the three models listed above.

My company uses Sprint/Nextel and I have the choice of the above phones. Which one would you want and why? Are any of them "phones to avoid" per se? It will be an upgrade from a 7520, so I know I will be getting a nicer phone than I have now.

Thanks, I appreciate any input!!!
Jake

[ezrunner]

I would go for tha 8703

[NJBlackBerry]

Welcome to BB Forums - first decision is which network you want to use. If you must use the Nextel network, then your choice is the 7100i, which is getting a bit old.

If you want to use Sprint, then you need to decide which form factor - the Suretype keyboard of the 7130e or the full QWERTY keyboard of the 8703e.

I personally would go with the 8703e, as I like the form factor the best of those three, and the Sprint network is faster and more robust.

Having said that, I am a long time T-Mobile customer

Good luck and welcome.

[Dawg]

8703e hands down

[rowle1jt]

Well that was easy.

Basically I am the beginning of the transition away from Nextel and into Sprint. I went with the 8703e for two reasons. I don't want to feel like I am text messaging (sure tap keyboards). I want a full QWERTY keyboard, and I have large hands, so that should help. The keyboard on my 7520 works well for me, so I am confident that I will have no issues going to the 8703e.

The second reason is you guys. What a great community! I have read many threads and learned a TON from this site. Your recommendations were enough to push me over the edge. I was leaning towards the 8703e to begin with, you guys confirmed it.

Thank you, I really do appreciate it!!

No more more ... in with the new!!

[NJBlackBerry]

Can you get them to spring for an 8830

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

Can you get them to spring for an 8830

Took the words right out of my fingertips.

[rowle1jt]

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

Can you get them to spring for an 8830

What does the 8830 do that makes it that much better? I am guessing it more money as well? What does it cost?

Unfortunately its too late now, 8703e is on its way and will be here Friday.

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by rowle1jt

What does the 8830 do that makes it that much better?

Too much to even list really.
For starters:
GPS Navigation
Expandable Memory via microSD card
GSM service for international roaming outside of the united states.
Multimedia features for video, audio, pictures and ringtones.
A2DP Bluetooth Support
Voice dialing
Higher capacity battery
Slimmer physical design
Center trackball as opposed to right side trackwheel

I doubt it's that much more than the 8703e... maybe $50 or so. Well worth the extra cost for sure.
I'd return the 8703e and go for the 8830 if that's an option for you when you get it.
Normally you have at least 14 days to return a product for any reason.

[rowle1jt]

I have a feeling that I am the "guinea pig" for the rest of the Blackberry users here. As we purchase more new units... we may just have to slip an 8800 series in there.

My personal phone is a Razr, so I am used to having all the "fun stuff" thats not neccisary for a phone but nice to have. There are a few things on the BB's that I miss from the Razr. One of them being that I can't use a BB to play music in the server room when I am sick of listening to fans!

[Kidberry]

Rowle, you mentionned larger hands---> 8703e

[bertiebassett]

Originally Posted by rowle1jt

My company uses Sprint/Nextel and I have the choice of the above phones. Which one would you want and why?

None of them.. they all suck (relative to the newer devices)

If you can hold off til the 8120 is released (if you like suretype) which runs the latest 4.3 handheld software - it really is the business "better than an I-phone" IMHO..

if you can't or your carriers are delayed then look for an 88xx or an 8310.. which at least are running 4.2 hh code, and can be upgraded to 4.3 - none of the devices you've mentioned run 4.2

Sometimes it's fun being a European and getting all the goodies first!!

[rowle1jt]

Originally Posted by bertiebassett

Sometimes it's fun being a European and getting all the goodies first!!

Running it in is just plain mean! LoL

[rambo47]

8703e, hands down. It's a more modern device and has what is arguably the best keyboard RIM has ever used.

[kobersteen]

I just went from a 7520 to 8703e last week and I love it. Before buying the 8703e, I tried a buddy's SureType 7100i for a bit and I wasn't a huge fan. Same for the trackball. I'm a firefighter, so I just view the trackball as something that won't hold up to the abuse I will give it.

I like the QWERTY, the positive 'click' of the letter keys while typing and, most of all, the clean, crisp, bright screen.

[Omegamania]

I love my 8703e!!

[bertiebassett]

Originally Posted by Omegamania

I love my 8703e!!

Sorry dudes but your about 1 year out of date...

[rowle1jt]

Anything with a suretype keyboard was out of the running for me. If I want to text messages, I'll use my Razr, because thats what suretype makes me think of.

I'm just happy to know that there are many happy 8703e users out there, and I have confidence that I will love it! It makes me even more excited to hear that it has a gorgeous screen!!!


Thanks for all your help guys!

[CADdesigns]

Originally Posted by rambo47

8703e, hands down. It's a more modern device and has what is arguably the best keyboard RIM has ever used.

Agreed, love my 8703e especially if you have big mitts like I do. It even feels solid

Not to mention its one of the big sellers

[rowle1jt]

And the debacle continues...

8703e from Sprint shows up yesterday from FedEx. Office Manager tries to activate and they will not activate since we are in a Sprint/Nextel "hybrid" area and not a "Mother Sprint" area or something like that. 2 hours on the phone and they will not and can't activate the phone. Local Sprint/Nextel/Alltel store confirms this. Sprint 8703e now going back to Sprint for a refund.

I am "out of contract" on the Nextel so my next option and the one I am going to go with is an 8830 from Alltel. Its $249 after $100 rebate, cell plan with unlimited data is cheaper than Nextel as well.

Now I have the 8830 so far its a nice phone. Now I am just waiting for someone to answer the phone and transfer me to Level 2 as the Enterprise Activation is not wanting to go through. I already called them, and it was set for BIS and not for BES. They switched it to BES, I pulled the battery and rebooted the phone. Still doesn't want to go through... grrr This whole ordeal has been so frustrating from the begining. Of course I am leaving town in a couple hours for a business trip and NEED to have my BB up and running...

I've now been with out a Blackberry/Phone for two weeks... how frustrating. :(