RIM BlackBerry 8703e Smartphone

The BlackBerry 8703e is my first "smartphone" and my first BlackBerry. It replaced two devices that I carried, a work-issued Sanyo Katana cell phone and a personal Sony Clie TH-55 PDA. 

Inside the box were the typical accessories found in a premium phone including a sturdy holster; USB cable; travel charger; and a reference guide. Since the 8703e was a work-issued device, my IT department had already configured the BlackBerry to work with our Exchange server. For personal use, you'd also find the required software included in the box.

The 8703e itself is a fairly chunky device at 4.3 inches high, 2.7 inches wide and 0.8 inches thick. Compared to the slim Katana phone that I had, the 8703e demands substantially more pocket space. Fortunately the included belt holster is sturdy and protects the bright, 320 x 240 pixel color screen and very usable QWERTY-keyboard from accidental bumps and scratches. The back of the 8703e is exposed in the holster, but since there's no camera, there's nothing really vulnerable when it's in that position. When attached to your belt, the 8703e looks like a functional business tool, not a fashionable accessory.

I was surprised at its weight -- the 8703e doesn't feel as heavy as one would think at first glance. Unfortunately, that lack of mass makes it feel cheap when held in your hand, with the matte black plastic surfaces not helping much to combat that notion. The gaps in the side panels that allowed the keyboard backlighting to leak out were also disappointing.

The right side of the 8703e has the ubiquitous BlackBerry thumb wheel. The wheel works well for navigating your email inbox or list of contacts, but it's awkward for just about any other application, including the built-in Word and Excel email attachment viewers. I've noticed that more recent BlackBerry models have moved to a trackball or "virtual" trackball, probably a necessity as RIM attempts to attract non-corporate users and more robust applications.

It took a little bit of studying the reference guide to fully understand the sound profiles that are accessed using the button on the left side of the 8703e, but once I did I was able to configure a profile to deliver exactly what I wanted: no audible email alerts (just a visual indicator), no text message alerts, vibration + ringing for phone calls.

Call quality is almost as much of a function of your carrier and your area as it is the phone, but the 8703e hasn't disappointed me yet. The earpiece volume is loud and crisp without distortion. Reception has been as good as the Katana, if not better, though this may have more to do with my carrier augmenting its network than the phone itself.

The 8703e has an incredibly loud speakerphone that I've used as an emergency substitute for a conference room Polycom in a pinch. The speaker also serves well for communicating ring tones and other alarms. I've used the alarm clock function as a backup to my clock radio (see my review of the excellent iHome IP99), but it could easily serve as a primary alarm.

The 8703e offers Bluetooth compatibility for hands-free kits and headsets, but not stereo profiles (remember, this is a business phone). The 8703e was easy to configure with my Toyota's built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling. Leaving Bluetooth on impacts battery life, but it's worth the convenience to me.

My 8703e's battery lasts about 3 days before I receive a low battery warning. This seems to be typical for a smartphone -- good, not great. The phone charges using the standard USB port, which is handy if you already keep a USB charger around for other devices. It's better than having to carry a proprietary data cable and a proprietary charging cable.

The BlackBerry 8703e is a no-nonsense smartphone that will appeal to those looking for a practical business tool.