It’s finally here! I had a chance to play with my new Blackberry Stratus (9100) AKA Striker AKA Pearl 2 and I have to tell you that is fantastic. It might be a little too tiny, but the phone is very (and when I say very I really mean it) pretty, slick, sexy, and it says “Business” all over it.
The overall feel of the phone in your hand is almost the same as holding an iPod Nano. I just can’t imagine of a better Blackberry to put in your pocket for hours, it’s just the perfect size. The trackpad is a great addition to the looks of the phone, making the lines of it that much slicker than any other Blackberry on the market. The back of the phone is extremely similar to the second generation Blackberry Storm, which is a pretty good looking phone itself, but everything in a smaller package. Another addition to the hardware is the “Media Buttons”, which immediately makes me think that this device will be directed to a younger crowd of Blackberry users. The phone is very light but at the same time it feels solid in your hand. Texting is as easy as it gets (as long as you are used to the Pearl Suretype Keyboard or even the Storm’s reduced keyboard, and the new/higher resolution screen is just gorgeous (not as good as the one on the Storm/Tour/Bold, but definitely a nice upgrade from the “already old” Pearl. Another nice addition to this second generation Pearl is the 3.2 MP Camera with flash.
The software I’m running on the phone is at a very early stage (v5.0.0.350), but is running very smoothly already. The only problems I have with it is the camera app, which doesn’t work yet, but the video camera is running perfectly. Because the OS Platform is 6.0 I can’t download any apps yet, but the closer we get to its release the more compatible the apps will be. The phone works great on 3G, even though its running on “AT&T’s Full of Apps Network”, so that is a great sign.
My guess for its release would be around April, 2010. That is just a guess and as soon as I hear something more solid I will let you know immediately. Because of the 3G bands in the phone I can tell for a fact that this phone will be out for AT&T and Rogers, but sadly I haven’t heard of a CDMA version yet or even a GSM version for T-Mobile here in the US.
Overall I love the phone, and to all of you that love their Pearls you are going to absolutely fall in love with this one. If you want to discuss or have any more questions about this beauty don’t forget to visit the Blackberry 9100 Forum.
telus and bell also have 3g in canada with their recently lit up new network
Do they have the same 3G bands as Rogers?
I believe they do now…
Looks very nice. Thanks for the preview Salomondrin!
Does it do UMA? Presumably making the Flip (my phone
taught RIM how to make a more compact Pearl.
This one doesn’t, but I’m 99% sure that the t-mobile version will
Very sweet looking phone. Rim is making it very difficult to not covet each new phone they come out with. I just switched to the 9700 and am really pleased with it.
The 9100 may not be for me, but I wouldn’t kick it out of bed for eating cookies.
how many megabyte of ram have this smartphone???
How come you don’t have a Youtube Acct. anymore?
And you’ll be my best friend if you could get me a Blackberry Tour 9630 (verizon) for free LOL jk.
Y
awsome video, i’m crazy about this pearl… just wondering, you’ve compaired with the storm, but what about size changes along with a regular pearl? it will be easier to understand how the screen is better…
by the way, i think the keyboard could be sexier in the way of the flip… this is so black and normal…
but great pearl… do you think it’s going to be a cdma version later?
Oh yeah, we will see a CDMA version for sure, but for that its going to take a couple months
GREAT preview of the 9100 in clear video!! The original pearl 8100 was my very first BB and I loved it to death > media was horrible so I eventually gave it up.
The lack of Verizon going to HSPA+ first then to LTE is going to hit those of you in the USA wanting this or the 9700 originally, but you get the first bold on LTE by about 3-5mths possibly before Rogers Wireless here in Canada (where I’m from). I’ll bet the code names are for the various versions for each carrier type and also 1 specifically having GPS vs WLAN. I really wish RIM no longer did this. If the Bold 9700 had 7.2Mbps down/2Mbps up data bandwidth then they could’ve done that with the pearl. RIM appears to know what their doing though.
Again great preview of the Pearl2.
looks amazing! i’m starting to like the smaller sized phones
Remember when back in the day the smaller the phone the cooler you were? I think we are going in the same direction once again
do you think it will come to Verizon by next year?
Yes sir, there will be a CDMA version for this phone later next year
Nice video I like it too RIM rules hands down.
WHat makes you say that TMO wont be getting the 9100??
Tmo realized a nice profit from their winning the exclusivity wars from the 8100, because even after people got rid of their 8100 devices, they were entered into the binding world of blackberry and cheap data. Why wouldn’t Tmo be getting this phone??
I never said TMO won’t be getting it. I said the phone I had is not for TMO. I know for a fact TMO and VERIZON will release the phone too.
What Processor Does it have and what is it’s clock speed?
Thanks Sal
Same processor as the 9700
When will this phone become available for At&t? I went to the store this past weekend and one of the employees said beginning of December. Is this correct?
Thanks Sal
That is a lie
Phone will be out next year.
Does the handset have GPS?
It does have GPS
Thanks for the great review, Sal!
Are you sure about the 360×400 screen resolution? Looks more rectangle than square
does the phone have an accelerometer because it looks like the screen would be nice in landscape
I’m assuming the Pearl 2 is only dual-band 3G (850/1900 UMTS/HSDPA) and not tri-band 3G. (850/1900/2100 UMTS/HSDPA). For true international 3G use, this is still a major drawback on these phones and the Nokia E-series.
do we know if it will be coming out in any other colors?
Blackberry are meking very sexy phones, now all that i want for Christmas is a 9820 3.5″ Thunder touch screen with a full landscape slider qwert keyboard.
Now that would be very sweet.
Dreaming
will this phone be for fido ?
The video is down
Could you pls repost it? Thx!
Is the internet as fast as the 9700, and is the video quality as good as the 9700?
When is this phone coming out? And will Verizon be the first to get it? If RIM was smart, they would release it before Christmas…..so i can get one!!
Does anyone know if this phone will be released for TMobile? I used to have a Pearl 8120 and really loved the size, but recently switched to a 8900 because of the newer OS and improved features (3.2 camera, more internal memory, etc.) I hope TMobile opts to release this in their line up of new mobile devices within the first quarter of 2010. Not only would I consider upgrading for the size (I prefer small, thin phones), but also due to the fact that the Curve 8900 is 3G enabled on the TMobile network. I dont see why it should be an issue considering that TMobile now offers 3G coverage and has an extensive variety of BBerrys to choose from as is. Cmon TMobile…Add this to your Blackberry line up when it releases!
I cant wait to buy this phone, hope this phone release soon
Confermate la presenza del GPS?
Do you confirm the presence of the GPS?
Any news on when the 9100 will be available on Verizon’s network? I need to upgrade my Verizon Pearl fast!
Please!!!!!!!!!!
I know most of us is eager to purchase the 9100, but any leaked news regarding the accessories for the 9100? (EX. Seidio Extended batteries, protective shell or cases?)
Im super excited about this phone! Sold my storm for the motorola droid but seeing this amazing little BB, I gotta have it! Please RIM get this phone out ASAP! Thanks for the overview!
Will this phone be released for sprint?
Let me know
thanks
Hi, well I´m really happy that Blackberry decied to change the pearl, because the 8120 or the others are really old fashion jejeje, well I wanted to know when is the release date?? In other hand if that works in other parts like in Latin America jejeje
MUST HAVE THIS FOR SPRINT NOW! I took back an 8530 upgrade in anticipation and kept the old 8130
WHERE IS IT!!?!?!!?
who makes phones for blackberry…