Mobility

Hands-on with the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G

By // April 18, 2011, 10:11 PM PST

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  • Sidekick 4G retail box

    T-Mobile may have shut down the Sidekick service, but they are continuing to use the Sidekick name on a new line of Android device. The first device is the Sidekick 4G from Samsung and it actually is a pretty compelling device with features that rival the successful Samsung Galaxy S lineup.

    Check out all of my experiences with the Sidekick 4G on ZDNet Smartphones & Cell Phones, including a video walk through.

  • Side of the retail box

    The retail box is that same sturdy one we have come to love on T-Mobile with vibrant colors and helpful information.

  • Here is the Sidekick 4G

    The Sidekick 4G rests in a colorful compartment just under the top cover.

  • Inner box contents of the Sidekick 4G

    Inside the box you will find the necessary cables, pamphlets, and wired stereo headset.

  • Paper box contents

    There are a few different pamphlets/guides in the top flap of the box.

  • Box and Sidekick 4G

    Here is the Sidekick 4G with keyboard revealed outside the retail box.

  • Sidekick 4G with open keyboard

    The new Sidekick 4G has that awesome 5 row keyboard and looks a lot like the Sidekicks that fans have come to know and love.

  • Sidekick family in closed position

    Here are a couple other generations of Sidekick to see how this latest one stacks up.

  • Three Sidekicks with open keyboards

    As you can see the keyboard on the new Sidekick 4G is very similar to the one on the last generation Sidekick LX 2009.

  • Large QWERTY keyboard

    The QWERTY keyboard is one of the best available and teens will be flying on it soon.

  • Right side of the keyboard

    The keys have great spacing and tactile feel.

  • Bottom left of the keyboard

    The Shift button in the lower left has T-Mobile pink.

  • Right side buttons

    The buttons and controls on the right side include the menu, directional optical joystick and back button.

  • Left side buttons

    The home and jump buttons are found on the left side.

  • Back of the Sidekick 4G

    The back is white with a single speaker, camera, and pink hinge area.

  • Back of the hinge are on the Sidekick 4G

    T-Mobile and Samsung made a very slick hinge mechanism that may be as much fun to play with as the flip and rotate mechanism that my daughter loved on her older Sidekick devices.

  • Cool pink hinge mechanism

    The hinge is solid and rotates in a slick manner.

  • Basic 3 megapixel camera

    A basic 3 megapixel camera is on one end of the back.

  • Rear speaker

    A speaker is found on the other side, adjacent to the finger area.

  • Right side of the Sidekick 4G

    A cover for the microUSB port and the camera capture button are found on the right.

  • The cover is on a hinge

    Remove the cover to sync and charge up the Sidekick 4G.

  • Upper left side

    The upper left side (in portrait orientation) houses the volume button and headset jack.

  • Lower left side

    The lower left side is where you will find the power button.

  • Left side of the keyboard

    The keyboard is really an excellent choice for hardware QWERTY fans.

  • The optical joystick and other right side buttons

    The optical joystick is a bit strange to get used to, but Sidekick owners who did everything with their thumbs may turn out to really like its capability.

  • Sidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 1

    Sidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 1

  • Sidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 2

    Sidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 2

Sidekick 4G retail box

T-Mobile may have shut down the Sidekick service, but they are continuing to use the Sidekick name on a new line of Android device. The first device is the Sidekick 4G from Samsung and it actually is a pretty compelling device with features that rival the successful Samsung Galaxy S lineup.

Check out all of my experiences with the Sidekick 4G on ZDNet Smartphones & Cell Phones, including a video walk through.

Related Topics:

Mobility Security Hardware Software Apple Android Google