RIM was kind of enough to let us review the BlackBerry Style for Sprint. This is RIM’s second incarnation of the flip-style BlackBerry device with the first being the Pearl Flip which was considered a flop by many. The BlackBerry Style 9670 is a Sprint exclusive here in the US. The BlackBerry Style is Sprint’s first BB running an official version of BlackBerry 6, equipped with the infamous 624MHz processor, 512MB of app memory, external display, 5MP camera w/ LED flash + auto-focus, Wi-Fi b/g/n support, and built-in GPS. With everyone reluctant to accept the the new flip with arms wide open, we talk about our experience with the Style 9670 and give you the skinny on it TGSB style (no pun intended).
The BlackBerry Style is a surprisingly, well-built BlackBerry device giving Sprint subscribers the first device offering BlackBerry 6 OS. Since the Style is equipped with 512MB, there’s still almost 250MB of app memory left for more apps to install without seeing the dreaded clock and having your device freeze. The Style’s 5MP camera is an excellent shooter by BlackBerry’s standards armed with auto-focus, LED flash, and geo-tagging. Gotta have a good to decent shooter on any smartphone these days for Facebook and/or Twitter pics. The battery life on the Style will definitely get throughout the day as it will get you 10 to 12 hours with heavy to moderate usage. Not bad for a 1150 mAh battery.
The full QWERTY keyboard is actually slightly bigger than the keyboard on my Bold 9700 which makes typing even more comfortable. The trackpad is slightly embossed on the navigation area where the Call/Menu/Back/End is located like the 9300. Along with the trackpad & keyboard setup, makes the Style great for one-hand navigation. The standalone highlight is the Style’s external display. The outside display shows you previews of new messages, calls, music, and calendar reminders. By using the volume buttons, you can move to the next notification or song all without having to open the device as RIM takes full advantage of the outside screen.
There are, however, several downsides to Style compared to other BlackBerry devices currently available on the market. For starters, the displays (internal & external) are a little inadequate for the BlackBerry brand. The internal display is 2.7inch screen w/ 360 x 400 resolution and the external rocks a 2inch screen w/ 240 x 320 resolution. Not offering the best of their stable when their flagship device, Bold 9700, offers a 2.4inch screen w/ 480 x 360 resolution. Another mishap was the placement of the 5MP camera. It is located on the battery side of the Style rather than the side with the external screen is on. So you may have to adjust your finger when taking pics single-handily as it may initially block the lens when opening the camera app. If the lens were on the top half of the flip, it would have been better placed for its users. The Style does lack the double convenience keys as it only has one. I can only speak for myself, I actually use both convenience keys on my 9700 and it is a must-have feature for me but may not be for other users. A rare miss by BlackBerry’s manufacturing designs. Minor negatives but a swing-and-a-miss nonetheless.
Bottom line on the Style 9670, despite the unique form-factor that was once deemed grotesque until handled in person, is a good device overall. Available on Sprint for only $99.99 after a new two-year contract after rebates and available in Royal Purple and Steel Grey colors. The Style offers its users: good battery life, decent camera & video capabilities, armed with BB6’s Webkit browser + tabbed browsing, Universal Search, Social Feeds, redesigned Media capabilities, and ships with an 8GB MicroSD to pile on the media to your device. But in a world riddled with Androids & iPhones these days, the Style seems slightly dated in regards to the RIM’s competition. But if you you don’t require the needs of novelty apps and just need simple email/web browsing/IM phone solution for your everyday purposes, the BlackBerry Style will definitely fill that void.
