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T-Mobile’s Sidekick is one of the heavyweights in the text-messaging realm for young and socially connected consumers. Today T-Mobile introduces its latest Sidekick, the Sidekick 2008. Previously dubbed the Sidekick Gekko, the new messaging-focused handset kicks off a new naming convention. But how does the new Sidekick fare compared to its predecessors and rivals?
Smaller than earlier models, measuring 4.7 x 2.3 x 0.7-inches and weighing 5.3oz, which means the display has had to shrink too. It’s now just 2.6-inches, but it keeps the same WQVGA 400 x 240 resolutions as the Sidekick LX. The Sidekick 2008 has the traditional screen hinge too; a little nudge to the corner of the screen pushes the display panel up and around to sit above the QWERTY keyboard. We found it a lot easier to nudge the screen up compared to the Sidekick LX, and seasoned users will have no problem popping it out using just one hand. Manufactured by Sharp, the LCD backlight is strong and surprisingly resistant to sun glare.
Many Sidekick users will be happy to find that the Sidekick 2008’s shell is swappable like the early Sidekick iD. T-Mobile went a little bit further this time by allowing users to customize their own shell design online. Submit a photo or other image at www.sidekickshells.com, pay $14.99 (or $9.99 each if you order two) and you’ll never confuse your Sidekick for anybody else’s. Even with the pop-off casings, though, we didn’t experience creaks or undue flexing, leaving us confident about the 2008’s build quality.
The QWERTY keyboard has always been the Sidekick’s not-so-secret weapon, and the 2008 is no different. A combination of great texturing and just the right amount of spacing adds up to very comfortable texting. The trackball navigation is not so successful, however, and feels a little imprecise. Sometimes we would over-roll and skip over the menu selection we were aiming for; it felt more accurate, if slower, using the D-pad. New to the OS is Quick Find, which is a cross-app search tool replacing all the individual search functions. Speed is fair, though it can lag if you have a particularly well-packed contacts list and lots of media.
Round the back, the 2008 sports a two-megapixel camera for photos or video. Thanks to the horizontal orientation, taking pictures is pretty much similar to holding a conventional digital camera. However there’s not much flexibility in the settings, and we particularly missed white balance options considering there’s no built-in flash. Despite that, image quality was fair.
Both images and video can then be emailed, sent by MMS picture message or stored on the included 512MB microSD card. There’s also the Bluetooth wireless printer profile, meaning you can directly print to a compatible printer. In fact, the Bluetooth support is pretty well featured: everything from headset through file transfer and including the A2DP stereo audio profile.
Messaging is the Sidekick 2008’s strong feature, though, and the company has taken the opportunity to further tweak the IM experience. Over and above the standard chat functionality, you’re able to create and join group chats, set custom status messages, search for friends in a buddy list and see who is logged into IM to immediately start a conversation. Internet browsing is similarly boosted, with a choice of PC-like, full-size or reformated to Sidekick screen-size browsing. The pop-up page overview concept has been borrowed from Nokia’s S60 browser, too; here called Mini Page, it gives you an idea of what’s on the page. Images from websites can be saved to the microSD card and then emailed or sent by MMS.
Given all the attention paid to the iPhone 3G’s new on-device AppStore, the Sidekick team could be rightly smug that their handsets have had such functionality for years now. Downloads now install with no need to restart the device, and themes can be set as default instantly.
Considering all those improvements it’s then triply frustrating that the Sidekick’s connection just can’t keep up with the competition. Considering this is the Sidekick 2008, it’s still sporting a radio from years back: quadband 850/900/1800/1900MHz with data speeds topping out at EDGE. Yes, EDGE is pretty reliable, but given even low-end rivals are including 3G now it would be nice to have the option here. Voice calls quality is generally good, and while the Sidekick might not be so tenacious with a signal as the iPAQ 910 we tested recently it still does a reasonable job.
The Sidekick 2008 is a decent handset. Functionality is in most areas par-for-the-course and, when it comes to messaging, better than many rivals. However “par-for-the-course” isn’t good enough to stand head & shoulders above the ever-crowded cellphone market. Die-hard Sidekick fans will recognize and appreciate the evolutionary changes, but new buyers may be looking for revolution instead, and we’re not sure the 2008 is the device that delivers. Bottom line: you’ll like it, but we don’t think you’ll love it.
The T-Mobile Sidekick 2008 will be available July 30 at select T-Mobile retail stores and online at www.sidekick.com, priced at $149.99 with a two-year service agreement.
Unboxing Video
f the 2008 it aint nothing it has a better camera then the lx but no flash lmfao and for video and all that the lx is getting it in the update so 2008 is nothing but a low end lx that you can customize
I have the Sidekick Slide. Its a peace of CRAP! And im looking for a better phone. I want another Sidekick but it just can’t be the slide. The Sidekick 08 seem like its a very good phone. I just don’t like that color. How about you make it in a Variety of colors. Id prefer BLACK and BLUE. Well that’s a I wanted to say.
:^)
Great review. I agree with you about how t-mobile or whoever manufactured sidekick needs to take a leap into something new
um, if u didnt notice, the whole shell comes off and you can put anything you want on it. maybe if u listened/read it, u would have known. and it comes with Black already on.
and the sidekick slide wasnt as good was because it wasnt made by Sharp, but by motorola.
I have just gotten the sidekick 2008, and I have to say it is great. I have had a lot of experience with sidekick; I’ve has the sidekick 2 and the sidekick 3. Out of all the sidekick 3 has to be the worst of the bunch, but by far the sidekick 2008 has the highest quality everything!
I wouldn’t listen to reviews from these people, personally I think its great. (:
i have the slide also & yea it ain all that..
the SK 08 sounds a bit appealing but the screen is even smaller than the slide,in fact the battery covers the whole screen.& it sounds just like the LX but with video & better bluetooth.i dont think its anything to go crazy over.
i think the sidekick 08 is worth its money . it doesnt freeze like the iD and it has video on it too . it has a GREAT camera and so much more . id recommend it to anybody .
basically, its like the LX but smaller, and a slightly better camera, and slightly better bluetooth.
i have the update for the lx, the only thing this phone can do that the lx cant, is customize, and connect with printers through bluetooth.
Ummm… tiff…
The screen on the ‘08 is
bigger than the screen on the Slide…
;]
ummm….sorry but wot do u mean by two year contract???
i’m kinda interested in sidekicks and i’m gettin one but i dunno wot two years contract means??
plz reply
and will it work in thailand or other places outside of americas and europes??
Lala learn to spell no one has any idea what you are talking about. But anyway i just got the Sidekick 2008 after having the Sidekick iD and it was a huge upgrade for me. But yeah i love it and i do prefer it over the LX because it is smaller, the LX was just too big it felt like a PSP ha.
I just got the SK 08 and its way better then the SK 3 that thing was the biggest piece of crap I’d ever owned. The new 08 has a very nice camera and an awesome key board I would recommend this phone to anyone. Its also lighter then the others (which felt like carrying bricks)
the sk 2008 is the best sk so far. the camera is so much better then the lx camera. even tho it doesn’t have a flash who cares?? takin pictures in poorly lit areas with sidekick cameras that have flash come out like crap anyway. the 2008 is much smaller, lighter, and cheaper then the lx. you can make it any color you want and it has better bluetooth capabilities too. def get the 2008 over any sidekick.
I have the lx & my brother has the o8 & I think the lx is btter thanz 2 the new upgrade
Personally I hate the sidekicks they suck all around and yes I do own one I have the 2008 but if I had to buy one I wish I would of went with the lx instead but my sister has had the 2008 a week and its already messing up on her I think im going to trade my phone in for something else maybe a dash idk plus the camera sucks on this phone it may say its better but personally its not I took better pics with my nokia 6133 and it had like a 1.3 camera but if I had to absolutly get a sidekick id get the lx 1. Screens larger 2.who really cares about customization 3. Cameras better idk the 2008 just doesn’t feel as sturdy either idk that’s my opinion good luck oh and slides do suck mainly bc its made by crappy motorola nd motorola slides suck period!
The sidekick 08 is nothing but problems. And T-Mobile is no help. It doesnt even last a full day without dying. I miss phone calls and dont recieve text messages. Yea the camera and video is awesome but everything else is awful. Im a first time sidekick owner and never again do i want one. incredibly disappointed
Or its a higher end (smaller, lighter, more features, customizable) and your just a huge pesomist about it because you like your phone the way it is. Maybe you should leave your comments to yourself if your going to be throwin around f bombs. It just makes this page look dirty, and the Sidekick 08 is way better than your LX. ;)
I have the sidekick lx and I love it I don’t see much different on the sk08 besides u can design ur on case an I can live without I got all my updates so im stickin to my lx …
Ive ha the slide for several mtns now and NEVER had a problem with it .. Its not as horrible like everyone makes out to be . But im thinkin about upgrading to the O8 for the obvious reasons (camera; video; custom shells ) .. Not positive yett .
i bought the sk 08, and i absolutely love it. yea, it doesn’t have a flash, but in the right light it takes great quality pictures. it’s a huge improvement from the 3 and the iD i’ve had and definitely my favorite of the 3. for those of you who don’t think the battery lasts ong enough here’s a tip, don’t leave your AIM running all day long, because thats the only time my battery doesn’t last. if you have a 2, 3, or iD i’d consider upgrading, but if you have the LX i’d wait for something even better because it has basically all the same stuff (:
I love my phone. I work with alot of people who have 3 different phones by 3 different companies trying to keep up with the Jone’s and they all want this phone. I love my phone I have 2 kids and we are out alot and when ever i need them to be quite i turn on a game, like sonic, and they are quite for hours. I really love my phone. I had the dash but it became ordinary, yeah its an ok phone but you have to clear the task manager all the time or your phone will freeze. My old dash just stop working one day so i decided to get this phone, new for 75.00. i couldnt pass up the deal.
i have the sidekick 08 it sux i cant recieve picture messages and when i get a text it does not vibrate i have tried everything but nothin seems 2 work!!!!!!!!!!!
Lx way better who cares about the camera wich has onli .7 more mega pixle and who is acually gona print there pics via blue tooth I’d rather jus connect it to mi comp empty my memory card and then print them and u can buy one of those sticky shells if u want customizeation
i just recieved 2 picture messages yesterday, so it works and about printing via bluetooth, after doing all of what you have said it is easier to just print from your phone.
- first of all the k!ck 08 is W0RTH THE $$$.
i have it, its better than all the rest faster, smoother, and even tho it doesnt have flash it has great image, and videos!
plus internet works wayyyyy faster.
SO FUQk THE HATERS SHIT 08 IS TITEE~.
-essiebby;
The 2008’s screen is bigger than the slide….
I have the lx and its wayy better than the 08 cuz if u wanna costimize ur lx jus go by a shell from da store
Tha 08 is tha lx on steriod. tht pretty much sums it up. it smaller but isnt tht wut happens when u take enhancement pills. things shrink. but think about it do u realli wanna hold a big *** fone to ur ear. i hav th a08 n i think it great. could be betta but still great.
I switched from att to t-mobile. It has only been 4 days, the sidekick “Gekko” or 2008 is really nice, light,and fast….problem is my keypad stopped working, i’m not able to use my spacebar or alt key. called customer service (very kind people!) assured me mine was defected to take it back to the store I bought it with the receipt or contract, if possible same person whom sold it to me….we’ll see how that works out today. Over all web browsing is fast and easy (pending on reception of course). Easy to get accustomed to from Blackberry 8820 to sidekick t-mobile service. hope this helps!!
I have the SK SLIDE, and i am really dissapointed i wish i would have read the reviews & now i really know how much motorola SUCKS im glad they went back to sharp. They should let everyone with a SK slide upgrade because the phone isn’t that great i had so many problems with mine.
Odette,
fix for your SK:
http://www.hiptop3.com/archives/sidekick-2008-ota/
“Go to menu and auto text and spelling make sure these to are un clicked
Highlight misspelled words
Auto correct spelling
And it’ll work :) “
I bought the sidekick 2008 16 days ago and I am on my third handset. The spacebar, shift, alt, !, “,” and ? will not enter in the text field. There is no common cause to this as far as i know HOWEVER, if i do the hard reset (under the battery cover) and leave my screen open, it will work until i shut it and reopen. I am furious that they cannot figure out what’s wrong with it. I also had to get a new sim card cause they thought that was the problem.
I love the phone, but this is the weirdest problem I’ve ever heard of.
How is it that you just fixed my phone but tmobile had no ******* clue. You’re amazing. thanks so much.
I’ve had my sk08 for 31 days and nothing has happened to it an nothing bad has ever gone wrong….the only thing that does suck is that the battery only last like 3/4 of a day but that’s about it!! Im writing this now on my sidekick!! Oh and the lx is just as great a phone as the 08 some differences but its really up to what your looking for a bigger phone or a smaller more descrete phone. So why bash on eachothers phone when its just a phone!
I absolutely love the ‘08 nd I dnt have it yet..I’m goiin to get it tomorrow hopefully… after readinn these reveiws I realli want it. as of right now I have an iD nd its pathetic compared to the sk08…I cnt wait!!!!!!! (p.s. I’m onn my kickk right now) even tho its pathetic my cell will always hve my life..nd it goes dead by like 7pm if I don’t charge it during the day, but its quite possible it only does that bcause I’m on aim all day long
I have the sidekick lx and fer other lx-ers out there who got the over-the-air update about a month ago, don’t get the 08. It is almost the exact same thing, except with customizable bumpers. The 08 has a smaller screen, and the overall shape looks outdated and clunky, like the ID or sk2. if I were you, I’d wait for something truly different from tmobile sidekick, instead of nonsense “upgrades”..:\
HOW ABOUT YOU GET AN IPHONE LOOSERS…… OH AND I CAN WATCH VIDEOS I HAVE AN INTEGRATED IPOD I HAVE A COMPUTER IN MY POCKET….. OH ASWELL AS AIM, HOTMAIL, AND YAHOO JUST LIKE YOU