The first of the 8700-series BlackBerrys with EV-DO support, the 8703e boasts a full thumbboard and RIM's killer arsenal of messaging and PIM apps. Does it stack up to the latest crop of smartphones?
The Blackberry 8703e is the best last-generation BlackBerry -- and as such (and in light of the snazzy new Pearl), it feels a bit left behind. The most advanced feature this updated device offers -- the tethered modem support over Verizon's EV-DO network -- is truly noteworthy, but the messaging and PIM interfaces, once the standard-bearers of simplicity, pale compared to those on the latest Windows Mobile devices. RIM aficionados with a hankering for an old-school 3G BlackBerry with a full QWERTY keypad will likely warm to the 8703e, but now that we've seen the future of RIM handsets, the 8703e can't help but seem dated. Release: September 2006. Price: $250.
Pros: Speedy dial-up networking. Easy synchronization. Support for up to 10 e-mail accounts
Cons: User interface looks last-generation. Menus can be long and confusing. No multimedia support.
Poor
Mediocre
50% GOOD
Very good
Excellent
Full review of the RIM BlackBerry 8703e:
Messaging - Good
Push messaging on the 8703e is as quick and convenient as ever, though not much improved over previous generations of BlackBerry devices. Unlike the new Pearl, which supports numerous IM protocols, only BlackBerry's own instant messaging client is available on the 8703e, along with SMS support. Up to 10 e-mail accounts, including POP3, IMAP, Yahoo and Google accounts, can be accessed, with push e-mail capabilities possible using Exchange, Lotus Notes, and IBM Domino servers, or by redirecting mail from your desktop. The keys on the BlackBerry are larger and wider than those on similar smartphones, such as the Palm Treo 700p and 700w. Typing was easy, though two hands are still required, as the width of the 8703e makes one-handed thumbboarding an uncomfortable reach.
Scheduling - Good
With one look, it is obvious that the BlackBerry calendar and task interface has not been updated in quite some time. To RIM's credit, navigating the long lists of entry fields on the calendar and address books was easy with the jog dial, and the large keyboard makes entering information easy. But if you are used to the lush, colorful look of Microsoft Outlook, the BlackBerry interface will seem archaic. Synchronization is quicker than ever over the USB 2.0 or fast Bluetooth 2.0 connections.
Productivity - Good
As with all the other BlackBerrys we've tested, the 8703e is capable of reading Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and PDF documents, but editing is not possible. This is especially disappointing, considering the large size and smooth feel of the keypad. Even zooming in to read PowerPoint slides or PDF files is difficult, requiring clicks of the jog dial for every step, instead of just scrolling with the jog dial to zoom in and out. Excel spreadsheets are easy to read, but comments are unavailable, and no advanced functions are present (save the ability to jump to any cell).
Laptop sidekick - Excellent
The BlackBerry 8703e gets a big boost thanks to its tethered modem support. Over Verizon's impressive EV-DO network, the BlackBerry is truly remarkable when paired with your computer. Indeed, in our tests, we recorded speeds in excess of 1Mbps, peaking at 1.7Mbps -- even zippier at times than our over-burdened Wi-Fi network. Unfortunately, the 8703's speedy data access made the phone's sluggish mobile Web browser all the more annoying. With Bluetooth 2.0 built-in, you can manage some impressive file transfer speeds even if you forget the included USB cable.
Calling - Very good
Voice quality on the BlackBerry 8703e was impressive, with an accurate, clean sound. We tested the phone as we traveled up and down the Northeast Corridor, and signal strength was always strong, with EV-DO present all along the major highways. Unfortunately, as with most other BlackBerrys we've tested, voice dialing is not offered on the 8703e. Conference calling is needlessly complicated, thanks to unclear menus that seem to encourage beginning a new call rather than joining two existing calls. That said, the speakerphone sounded loud and clear. Alerts can be managed by groups or by user profiles, but cannot be assigned to individuals. Contact lists are easily managed, but suffer from the same textually heavy interface design as most of the phone's PIM functions.
Multimedia - Mediocre
While the BlackBerry Pearl is positioned as a multimedia device, the Blackberry 8703e is clearly all work and no (or very little) play. There is no camera, no music player, and no mobile Web bookmarks dedicated to streaming media content. Viewing images is a business-like affair. Though the device does have built-in GPS, Verizon hasn't activated it at this time (although Sprint's upcoming version of the 8703e will have GPS enabled). The RIM mobile browser, while capable of loading large and visually complex pages, was slow, and choked on pages with tricky formatting. Few options were available to change how pages were displayed, so long pages required an excess of repetitive thumbing.
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This hefty Windows Mobile-powered smartphone features a slide-out keypad, GSM/CDMA network access, a brilliant screen, and dial-up networking at EV-DO speeds. Is it worth the jaw-dropping price tag?
The RIM BlackBerry 8703e is available on Verizon Wireless for $250 with a contract and an instant online discount of $100. A mail-in rebate of $100 is available, when signing up for a qualifying data and voice plan.
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