Thank you and sorry for delayed display! Your post was extremely helpful and my final replacement Pearl has not had one issue.

So what do you think of the 4.5 release and the MMS feature? Something I truly did miss considering coming from T Mobile and being spoiled with that feature, made me feel like I was downgrading when I switched back to Sprint.

As much as I’ve loved my Pearl, they are notorious for memory problems (it’s a design issue that affects all Pearls, not a defect that only occurs on some Pearls). The memory problems are what’s usually behind missing (actually, deleted) call logs, messages, etc. I have written a couple of articles that explain it and give recommendations (search on “memory problems” from the Search box on newBBie.com). You definitely can learn to manage your memory to avoid or minimize problems.

The other issues–frozen screens, rebooting unexpectedly, trackball–those are defects. What probably explains your number of replacements is that when you are reissued a “new” phone, it’s usually a “refurbished” phone. Meaning, it was a phone somebody ELSE returned. If they returned it because they changed their mind, a refurbished phone is OK. But if they returned it because it wasn’t working right, the people who supposedly refurbish it might decide there was really nothing wrong with it, then pass it on to a new customer–causing them to end up returning it. I have encouraged people to insist on a NEW phone and argue vehemently against taking a refurbished one. I’ve never had to do it yet, so I don’t know how difficult it is to convince your carrier’s retail store to go along with that.

The Storm is an OK phone. Great in some ways, not so great in others. I’m using one as my primary phone but it’s not my favorite BlackBerry. It definitely requires practice and some study to become comfortable with it. Knowing no more about what you want from a phone, I strongly recommend you consider the Curve or Bold (depending on which your carrier offers). The Pearl is great if small size is important to you. The Curve is a bit larger but the bigger screen and full keyboard is very nice. The Bold is a tad larger than the Curve but the display is even nicer. My carrier, Verizon, doesn’t offer the Bold, so I am very, very happy with my Curve. I don’t think you can go wrong with the Curve (or Bold, if that’s available to you). If you love the small size of the Pearl, and are willing to learn about and manage it’s memory issues, that’s still a good choice. But with your streak of bad luck with bad Pearls might signal that it’s time for a change.

Ask me more if the above isn’t helpful enough.
Kelly

I have yet to try the storm out for any long periods of time other than the brief lesson I gave myself at the Sprint store. I don’t know if I am cell phone savvy enough for a touch screen, or I’m just not willing to hand over my Pearl!

Since you are obviously knowledgeable on many of the BlackBerry phones maybe I can bring something to your attention or at least maybe have a quick question answered.

Like I have mentioned, I am on my fifth replacement phone. I’ve experienced issues such as frozen screen, not receiving texts, phone rebooting up to 15 times in one day and trackball not working. In your studies have you ever come across such issues in a Pearl? Or have I been unlucky enough to experience all of these on my own? Much thanks!

BB addict in NY

I’ve had to set my Pearl to the side to use the other models (e.g., the Storm) so that I can be knowledgeable enough about them to write articles for newBBie.com. So, I miss using my Pearl every day. She has been a very faithful little partner…I’m having feelings that I want to swap my main phone number back to her!

Thanks for the kind words about the site. I’m welcome to suggestions for new articles, especially about the Pearl since I haven’t done a Pearl-specific article in a while.
Kelly

I am on my second BB. I started with my first Pearl 8100 that I owned for about a year and now upgraded to the 8130.

This is my 5th replacement due to software issues. The Sprint store offered me a Curve at no additional cost and a $50.00 credit on my bill for all the inconvenience. I said no thanks, I want my Pearl! Now that’s dedication, or addiction lol.

My husband has the Curve so I’ve had much time to tinker with it. I love the extended memory and larger screen but I am a one handed texter (both left and right) and I can’t seem to accomplish this on the Curve.
Some may laugh but I also love the sure type! I find it to be useful most of the time and extrememly fast.

I will keep checking your posts to see what other juicy tidbits you have to offer on your comparisons of yor BlackBerries. Thanks!!