UPDATE: This preliminary review was written after a limited time with this device. A more in-depth review is now available. It can be found here:
The BlackBerry Style 9670 clamshell flip phone is the newest offering from RIM and Sprint.
More than just a latest offering, the Style is significant because it's different from what we've come to expect in a Blackberry. As its name would suggest, this phone is actually... stylish! It's also powerful, easy to use, has a great external display, and manages to fit it all in a clever form factor.
It is available exclusively from Sprint for $100 with a two-year contract and $100 mail-in rebate.
This preliminary review is based on a brief time with this new smartphone. A full review will be available in few more days.
DESIGN & BUILD
The Style is the most fashion-forward clamshell/flip phone since the RAZR and Moto Pearl. When it's closed, the Style is about 2/3 the size of a Storm or iPhone and just a little thicker. It is adorned with a smooth plastic back, black polished finish accented with a pewter bezel.
The device feels solid and secure in the hand and I wouldn't think twice about dropping it. Because of its slick finish and convenient form factor it slide effortlessly in and out of my pocket.
Screens
There is a large 2-inch external color display complete with the status information you want in a hurry -- message counter, battery life, signal strength, clock, and even previews of messages via the side convenience keys.
Cracking open the device continues to reveal a treasure trove of delights. The internal 2.7-inch QVGA display looks nicer than its specs would lead you to believe.
Buttons and Other Controls
But the best part about the Style is the keyboard -- gone are the days of SureType and wavy keypads, replaced instead by the proven easy-to-use accurate keyboard from RIM's 9000 family.
The optical trackpad is a necessity because like many BlackBerrys, the main display isn't a touchscreen. It's responsive though it occasionally required a little more pressure than I prefer, even after changing the settings.
There is an oddly amount of dead space between the top row of keys and the four function keys (talk, BlackBerry key, return, end) that should have been put to better use.
PERFORMANCE
The BlackBerry Style comes loaded with RIM's latest and greatest operating system, BlackBerry OS 6.0. This includes among other things, a beefier browser compared to older models, a revamped user interface, and the ability to type and auto-search through the entire device.
It includes the latest versions of the communication, social networking, and entertainment software you're used to from a BlackBerry, as well as the DataViz Documents To Go suite of Office apps.
Despite its seemingly capable oomph of 512 MB of on-board memory, in my tests the Style would occasionally momentarily freeze up under heavy use.
Camera
One of the downfalls of the Style has got to be its camera. At 5 megapixels with standard flash it's not the quality of pictures that causes angst but rather the position of the camera. The relative angles of the camera and screen are the downfalls of the Style. The camera is positioned behind the keyboard, and the screen open at a slight angle. The result is that taking a picture of something directly in front of me required me to cock the phone towards myself awkwardly.
PRELIMINARY CONCLUSION
RIM didn't just refresh a model with the BlackBerry Style 9670, but instead the company delivered a solid all-around performer. It managed to fit performance, design and reliability in a package that screams "Style."
Upon initial review, it seems the Style could be a satisfying choice for power users, first-time users, and those who have to pick a BlackBerry for work. I haven't been this excited about a new BlackBerry in quite some time.
A complete review of the Style 9670 will be published when I've had more time to fully test out its features.
