BlackBerry Flip 8220

The basics

The BlackBerry Pearl gets the Flip treatment. The Flip 8220 features dual colour displays. One for viewing previewing text messages, emails or checking out who's calling and an internal screen for the rest of its functions. Also featured is a QWERTY keyboard, up to 16GB memory, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a 2-megapixel camera. Like previous BlackBerry's it has BlackBerry Maps and the Blackerry Enterprise Server email client for mail management.

The good

Flipping ’eck! BlackBerry’s sober business handset has tossed its glasses away, let down its hair and folded itself into a sexy clamshell. Well, sexy-ish anyway – this is no anorexic fashion phone but a classy all-in-one mobile. The generously-proportioned number pad is fine for texting and email, while Wi-Fi web browsing on the sharp colour screen is smooth and effortless. Forget push email, the Flip’s trackball is BlackBerry’s killer feature these days – using it to zip through tunes to enjoy via the (standard) headphone socket shows just how far RIM has glided into the mainstream.

The bad

It’s two steps forward and one step back for the Flip – just like a crazy Argentinean tango! While your hips are swaying to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, your shoulders will be jiggling with frustration at the lack of 3G connection and your feet itching with the inexplicable absence of GPS navigation. And spit out that rose - the 2MP camera is woefully underpowered.

The bottom line

BlackBerry still hasn’t decided who its audience is. The Flip is too hip for executives, too chunky for street kids – but maybe just right for you, sir. Yes, you with the multiple email accounts, extensive media collection and trackball fixation.