The mid-to-late 2000s marked a pivotal moment in smartphone evolution. The BlackBerry Pearl 8100, with its iconic trackball, represented the pinnacle of mobile email and secure communication. The Samsung U750 Zeal, while details are scarce, aimed to compete with a broader feature set. This comparison revisits these devices, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses within the context of their time.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a reliable communication device from this era, the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 emerges as the stronger choice. Its optimized 32-bit Intel XScale processor, coupled with BlackBerry’s renowned email platform, provided a superior user experience for its target demographic, despite the U750 Zeal’s potential for broader multimedia features.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | - |
| Technology | CDMA / EVDO | GSM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, November. Released 2010, November | 2006, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 101.9 x 51.8 x 17.1 mm (4.01 x 2.04 x 0.67 in) | 107 x 50 x 14.5 mm (4.21 x 1.97 x 0.57 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 123 g (4.34 oz) | 89.5 g (3.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) | 240 x 260 pixels (~161 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~39.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.2 inches, 15.6 cm2 (~29.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | 65K colors |
| | External display, 128x128 pixels, 1.3"
| Wallpapers |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 32-bit Intel XScale PXA272 312 MHz |
| OS | - | BlackBerry OS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSD (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | - | 64MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP, AF | 1.3 MP |
| Video | Yes | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0 |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | Proprietary |
| WLAN | - | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | HTML |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM | - |
| | SNS integration
MP3/AAC player
MP4/H.263 player
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Media player
SureType keyboard software
Organizer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 340 h | Up to 360 h |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h | Up to 3 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 880 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White, Red |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung U750 Zeal
- Iconic and efficient trackball navigation
- Highly secure and reliable email platform
- Optimized for communication and productivity
- Limited multimedia capabilities
- Small screen size
- Basic camera quality
BlackBerry Pearl 8100
- Potentially broader feature set (details unknown)
- May have offered more multimedia options
- Could have been more affordable
- Performance likely inferior to the Pearl 8100
- Reliability and security potentially lower
- Lack of detailed information hinders accurate assessment
Display Comparison
Specific display details for the Samsung U750 Zeal are unavailable. However, given its market positioning, it likely featured a color LCD screen, potentially with a resolution around 320x240 pixels. The BlackBerry Pearl 8100 featured a 2.24-inch LCD with a 240x320 resolution. While both screens were limited by the standards of today, the Pearl’s display was optimized for readability of text, crucial for its email-centric user base. The absence of touchscreen technology on either device meant navigation relied entirely on physical buttons and the Pearl’s trackball.
Camera Comparison
Details regarding the Samsung U750 Zeal’s camera are unavailable. The BlackBerry Pearl 8100 featured a 2-megapixel camera, which was considered adequate for basic photo capture at the time. However, image quality was limited by the sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization. Neither device was intended as a primary camera replacement; their cameras served as convenient additions for occasional snapshots.
Performance
The BlackBerry Pearl 8100’s 312 MHz Intel XScale PXA272 processor was a workhorse for its time, specifically tuned for efficient handling of email and messaging tasks. The Samsung U750 Zeal’s processor is unknown, but given the era, it likely utilized an ARM-based architecture. The Intel XScale’s 32-bit architecture, while not as powerful as later processors, offered a balance of performance and power efficiency, allowing for extended battery life. The Pearl’s performance was optimized for its core functions, while the U750 Zeal likely aimed for broader, but potentially less refined, performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details for both devices are scarce. However, the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 was known for its relatively good battery life, attributed to the efficient Intel XScale processor and optimized software. The Samsung U750 Zeal’s battery performance would have depended heavily on its processor and display technology. Given the era, both devices likely offered a day of moderate use on a single charge, prioritizing talk time and standby over intensive multimedia usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung U750 Zeal if you prioritize a potentially more versatile feature set beyond email, assuming it offered a more robust multimedia experience than available data suggests. Buy the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 if you need a highly secure, efficient, and reliable device primarily for email and messaging, valuing the tactile feedback and speed of the trackball navigation above all else.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Was the BlackBerry Pearl 8100’s trackball prone to failure?
The trackball was a known point of failure on the Pearl 8100. Over time, dust and debris could accumulate, causing it to become unresponsive. However, many users found it replaceable and considered the unique navigation experience worth the potential maintenance.
❓ What kind of applications could run on the BlackBerry Pearl 8100?
The Pearl 8100 ran on BlackBerry OS, which supported a range of applications primarily focused on productivity and communication. These included email clients, instant messaging apps, and basic office tools. While not as extensive as modern app ecosystems, it provided a functional and secure environment for essential tasks.
❓ Given the limited information on the Samsung U750 Zeal, is it fair to compare it to the Pearl 8100?
It's challenging, but valuable. The comparison highlights the different design philosophies of the era. The Pearl 8100’s strength lay in focused execution, while the U750 Zeal likely aimed for broader appeal, even if it meant sacrificing some refinement. The lack of U750 Zeal specs underscores the Pearl’s lasting impact due to its well-defined features.
