[deadstk]

Ixxx8217;m not talking about the overall device just the phone aspect.
Everyone knows that the BlackBerryxxx8217;s primary killer function is email but what about those of us that would like to actually use our device as a phone. My experience has been less than acceptable. My first BB was a 7290 and the phone (not email) sucked! The speaker volume would never go high enough and the microphone was not noise cancelling. It would pick up surrounding ambient nose especially road noise when driving--callers complained all the time. I currently own an 8700 and it has been an improvement, but not by much. The max volume on the (front speaker not the rear) is not high enough and the microphone is still not noise cancelling. This continues to be an issue (at least for me) even in low-level ambient noise situations.
My question: is the 8800 any better as a phone than the 8700? If so, is it by enough of a difference to merit an upgrade?

[rickthornton]

I thought the 8700C was an ok, but not great phone. I find the 8800 to be a much better phone when it comes to earpiece volume, quality and volume of the speakerphone, voice dial capability, etc. It works well with my Motorola BT headset, the up/down volume keys are always available unlike the trackwheel which wouldn't change volume in certain screens.

Signal strength wise, I haven't really noticed any difference. The only thing I liked better about the 8700 was it was easier for me to hold to my ear, because of its thickness. Not a big deal, and it may just be that I had become used to it.

I suppose it is very subjective, but for me, I think the 8800 is a significantly better phone overall.

[jfox67]

I concur.

I had a difficult time hearing on the 8700 even with the volume pegged. I also got numerous complaints about voice quality from those I was speaking with. It was such a great device otherwise I learned to overlook these shortcomings.

The 8800 has a noticeably clearer earpiece and the first thing my wife mentioned during my initial 8800 phonecall with her was how much better the voice quality was.

I liked the 8700 better for email but the 8800, in my humble opinion is a far better phone.

[Stinsonddog]

I think so. Also when I switched from a Cingular Blue SIM to an Orange account I also noticed an improvement.

[SpencerSteel]

Hey there.

I had an 8700 and it was awful with voice. People at the other end would say I would dissapear. So I got it replaced. Same thing.

Eventually the MD *told* me to get another model as he was getting frustrated with losing me ...

So I got a Perl ... sounds great, keyboard drove me nuts ...

So I got a 8800 and I am so relieved ... voice is good and keyboard is good.

The best BB so far (for the 'power user') ... all I want now is 3G, HTML email and a proper full multimedia browser (YouTube etc) and it will be a perfect device.

Also, glad they dropped the awful camera from the Perl and BB Map is quite cool.

Just happy to have my fat screen, keyboard and the MD off my back !

[btaylor1]

interesting. i've been ok with 8700c on phone but better is certainly better. one advantage i'm perceiving with this new 8800 is the smaller size probably means less mass, so not so likely to have damage when our two year-old kicks it out of my holster like currently has happened (and i've got the chinks/cracks on current 8700c to prove it!!!). does anyone think car kit below will (or will not) work with 8700c? (i bought it bcs i need charging and easy connection to better speakerphone system already set up in my vehicle. guess i'll have to search for replacement if i get the 8800.) any thoughts appreciated / thx.

Comfort Plus install car kit for BlackBerry 8700 Series :: Car Kits :: SmartPhoneDepot.Com

[btaylor1]

ah, looks like would need a new car mount

BlackBerry 8800 Bury Comfort Cradle Car Kit

[btaylor1]

i'll quit posting for a while after this, but i was hoping to ask the new 8800 users how they like the "new easy-to-use trackball navigation". i have gotten to like and be comfortable with the 8700's side-mounted trackwheel control. i'm not sure what "trackball navigation" means and i'm not great with touchpads. any thoughts/experiences appreciated. thx

[archer6]

Originally Posted by deadstk

[B]I’m not talking about the overall device just the phone aspect.

++++++++++++++++++++
Yes, I find the telephone clarity, tone, RF reception & overall performance to be far better than my previous BB,s.

Frankly, poor phone performance is what held me back from switching to the BB platform until 6 months ago.

My first BB was a 7130c which also has a very good phone. Then I got an 8700 only to find the phone marginal at best.

The next BB I got was the 8100 which performs like the 7130c - very well. Now the 8800 which is the best. I believe the noise cancelling sys the 8800 actually works as it should.

Cheers...

[WorldIRC]

I used to carry seperate device for phone / berry because I couldn't tolerate most PDA Phones. I have finally converged into one device and accepted the quality of the 8800 for what it is...that is..it is much better then any of the previous berry's that I've used as a phone!!

[pgab]

Originally Posted by btaylor1

i'll quit posting for a while after this, but i was hoping to ask the new 8800 users how they like the "new easy-to-use trackball navigation". i have gotten to like and be comfortable with the 8700's side-mounted trackwheel control. i'm not sure what "trackball navigation" means and i'm not great with touchpads. any thoughts/experiences appreciated. thx

I have the 8100, and I fully believe that the trackball is a huge improvement over the wheel. I never had an older model BB, so I am not "used" to the wheel. But I think that you'll find it is just a smarter method of navigation because you can just go in the direction that you want, including diagonally. This multi-direction ability is particularly nice when moving around the calendar. I know there is a key combination with the wheel to change the direction that you travel in. But with the ball, you now have the freedom to do this with one hand.

[btaylor1]

thx pgab / appreciate

[rawm]

Then bluetooth connection to my car's handsfree always had a "talking underwater" effect with my 8707. I thought it's a problem of the car bluetooth. Now with the 8800 the car bluetooth quality is very good.

[habanero69]

I've had the 8700 and now have both the 8100 and the 8800. They both have strengths and weaknesses. The suretype I have actually gotten to like and can type quite fast. I like the SMALL form factor of the 8100 while the build and feel quality of the 8800 is VERY nice. I like the keyboard on the 8700 better than the 8800. The spacing is better and the tactile feel was much better. The 8800 I find myself mis-typing a lot do to the cramped keyspacing (I have small fingers) and the overall feel of the keyboard is a little mushy for me. The screen on the 8800 is quite nice but the backlighting misbehaves in some situations. A software fix would be nice. Set to non-auto, it lights in darkness all the time (as it should) as opposed to sometime or never if set to auto. If set to auto, I find that in full sunlight it is viewable while in non-auto mode I have to hit the top button to force it to go to full brightness. Very irritating to have to toggle back and forth ... Those are the most glaring things I can say about the 3...