Cingular subscribers lusting after T-Mobile's BlackBerry 7100t now have a Berry to call their own: the 7100g. But although the 7100g improves on the original model's keyboard, overall we like the 7100t a little better.

In most ways, the 7100g is just like the 7100t. It's roughly the same size and the same shape, though it's a little blockier. It runs the same top-notch push e-mail software, gets the same clear reception, and has the same battery life on the same quad-band GSM radio. It has the same very clear speakerphone and same limited Bluetooth support—headset-only, with no dial-up networking or file transfer. (You can transfer files with the included USB cable.) It uses the same corporate BlackBerry servers and the same personal Web e-mail interface. It runs the same excellent predictive text software with its 20-key keypad, and uses the same basic Web browser with no frames and so-so style sheet support.

The design difference is seen on the Cingular 7100g's keyboard, which is a little different from the original 7100t's keyboard, and it works a little bit better. Because there are spaces between them the keys are easier to hit accurately.

Strangely, though, the 7100g lacks the 7100t's instant-messaging client. It also uses a list-style main menu; the 7100t has both list and icon options. And we're disappointed that RIM didn't put EDGE into this phone. The 7100g downloads its data over GPRS at 30–50 Kbps, the same as the 7100t. But Cingular has a national EDGE network that's much faster—up to 180 Kbps—and T-mobile doesn't. That could have been the standout feature for this device.

The 7100g, new to the Cingular market, is right now more expensive than the 7100t. Both are $299 with contract, but T-Mobile has a $100 rebate; Cingular's rebate is only $50. T-Mobile's unlimited data plan is also $10 a month cheaper than Cingular's.

When comparing the 7100 models, we'd still pick the 7100t over its brother, but we're not saying the 7100g isn't worthy; it's still a very good phone and e-mail device for people locked into Cingular contracts. Cingular subscribers looking for a more powerful PDA/phone should check out the palmOne Treo 650.

Benchmark test results:
Continuous talk time: 7 hours 46 minutes
JBenchmark 1: 908
JBenchmark 2: 15

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