[metrodon]

So my contract is up for renewal in a couple of weeks and I can get a new phone. I've enjoyed using the 8700 for the last year but I have to say the 8800 doesn't impress me much. MP3s and GPS seem to be the only improvements to the 8700. From what i've read on here the build quality has taken a step backwards though.

And then there is the Nokia E61i which is due out this month, it looks good, supports similar email capability to the 8800, plays MP3s and is 802.11. No GPS, but I don't want/need it anyway.

I'll get either phone for free, so there's no cost implication to consider.

So, is there a compelling reason to go for the 8800?

[cellindo]

u can't compare Blackberry handset vs Blackberry connect handset.......
its very2 different........

Plus point E61i :
Wifi, 3G, additional memory, camera.

Minus point E61i :
no Blackberry Messenger and other additional support which only supported by Blackberry RIM Handset.

[metrodon]

you make excellent points about the 3g, memory and even the camera (which I'm not all that bothered about).

So I'm going to have to live without BB Messenger? oh well I've never used it

[cellindo]

yes, in E61i u must using 3rd party instant messaging like Agile Messenger or IM+ for instant messaging. hehehe and also, no BB Messenger in Blackberry Connect. Only push mail.

[FynxSyndct]

I used the e62 for about a week, and sent that puppy back, to slow. Now the e61i, I didn't like Symbian platform.

Your probably not going to be getting to many positives from this form about not going with a Blackberry device

[ezrunner]

I agre with Fynx not lkely to find to mant unbiased opinions here!!

BB all day

[NJBlackBerry]

I have an E61. WiFi is great. Symbian OS is painfully slow. Menus just aren't as well designed as on the BB - maybe the BB is just simpler to use.

I found the E61 way too slow to use. Sitting in the box of unloved toys under my desk.

[FynxSyndct]

NJ Ill love it for $25 plus shipping

[metrodon]

wasn't expecting too many "go for the Nokia" comments. interesting what's been said about the speed of Symbian.

also interesting that no-one has come up with anything else compelling. as i said the 8700 has been pretty good to me, although i've pretty much killed 2 batteries.

does anyone have anything good to say about the 8800?

[NJBlackBerry]

It's got a nice, shiny black finish

I have an 8800 now. Before that an 8100, 8700, 7290, 7105, 7100, .......

It's a nice BB. Does what it is supposed to do. Wireless e-mail is the killer app for me. Not themes, ringtones, movies or any other media. It is a good phone. Plain old Nokia phones (not Symbian "Smart"phones) are better phones. But this is an excellent converged device.

[takeshi]

The 8800 works great for me but I'm not going to try and sell the idea of using it to you. For one thing, my needs probably aren't the same as yours. I want the reliability (my top criterion for any device and BB has been the best I've found so far) of the BB platform and the MP3 playback capabiltiies and built-in GPS. A camera would be good too so I'll switch to the 83XX when it's available. It sounds like you really don't care much about any of those points but WiFi is apparently compelling enough to get you to switch to the E61i.

If you don't see the point in the 8800 then why do you need external validation? Get what you think you want/need...

[xxaarraa]

E61 is as wide and as tall as a small laptop. You will look cool when your face disappears when you put it up to your head to take a call. Its really cool because no one can read your lips when you are on the phone - kind of like a privacy filter, only cooler.

[indiekid]

Originally Posted by xxaarraa

E61 is as wide and as tall as a small laptop. You will look cool when your face disappears when you put it up to your head to take a call. Its really cool because no one can read your lips when you are on the phone - kind of like a privacy filter, only cooler.

I have an E61 and an 8800 and the E61 is only incrementally larger than the 8800.

When it comes to E61i vs. Blackberry 8800, one thing to keep in mind is that the US won't get the E61i's 3G capability. It's a 2100 band, which is European 3G. Also, everything people are saying about the OS is totally true...I absolutely love my 8800 and don't know that I'd go back to my E61, or even an upgraded version...

[brosenz]

Originally Posted by metrodon

So my contract is up for renewal in a couple of weeks and I can get a new phone. I've enjoyed using the 8700 for the last year but I have to say the 8800 doesn't impress me much. MP3s and GPS seem to be the only improvements to the 8700. From what i've read on here the build quality has taken a step backwards though.

And then there is the Nokia E61i which is due out this month, it looks good, supports similar email capability to the 8800, plays MP3s and is 802.11. No GPS, but I don't want/need it anyway.

I'll get either phone for free, so there's no cost implication to consider.

So, is there a compelling reason to go for the 8800?

You have to consider the recurrent costs:

BIS unlimited : $29 with Cingular
BB Connect unlimited : $49 with Cingular

So monthly $20 x 36 month = $720 => 2 new phones

[xxaarraa]

Originally Posted by indiekid

I have an E61 and an 8800 and the E61 is only incrementally larger than the 8800.

When it comes to E61i vs. Blackberry 8800, one thing to keep in mind is that the US won't get the E61i's 3G capability. It's a 2100 band, which is European 3G. Also, everything people are saying about the OS is totally true...I absolutely love my 8800 and don't know that I'd go back to my E61, or even an upgraded version...

Dude that doesn't mean anything. The 8800 is itself in the dinner plate category to start with! Thats like saying the Hummer H1 is only marginally bigger than the Hummer H2!

[takeshi]

You must eat really small meals if it's dinner plate sized for you. The 8800's easily pocketable. Unless you wear my wife's pants. I'm not sure why she even has pockets on them...

[xxaarraa]

Originally Posted by takeshi

You must eat really small meals if it's dinner plate sized for you. The 8800's easily pocketable. Unless you wear my wife's pants. I'm not sure why she even has pockets on them...

It may actually *be* pocketable, but just *feels* like a dinner plate. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

[NJBlackBerry]

First you say the E61 is the same size as a small laptop, and now the 8800 is the size of a dinner plate?

I do not agree with you. Did you ever see the 7730? How about the Moto Q or a Nokia 9300.

What size are they?

[xxaarraa]

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

First you say the E61 is the same size as a small laptop, and now the 8800 is the size of a dinner plate?

I do not agree with you. Did you ever see the 7730? How about the Moto Q or a Nokia 9300.

What size are they?

What is wrong with you people? Comparing something that is biggish to something that is bigger doesnt make any sense. Its like telling yourself you only gained 50 lbs while your neighbor gained 100.

Tell me it cant be done (squeezing bbness into a slick form factor) and thats one thing. But dont tell me there is nothing wrong with the form factor because the E61 or Q or whatever the heck is wider/taller/bigger.

No, I dont not hate BBs, I love them and wouldnt have anything else. Yes, I already have a pearl. Doesnt mean I cant complain.

[test54]

Model: E61
Dimensions: .55" h x 2.74" w x 4.61" l, 5.12 ounces

8800
Weight: 4.73 ounces
Dimensions: .55 x 2.6 x 4.49 inches

I'll still keep my 8800.
I think the criticism come from the "plate" comment, I just dont see it as that big for a PDA with a decent size screen.