Hands-on with the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G
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Sidekick 4G retail box
Sidekick 4G retail box
ntT-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.
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ntCheck out all of my experiences with the Sidekick 4G on ZDNet Smartphones & Cell Phones, including a video walk through.
Side of the retail box
Side of the retail box
ntThe 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
Here is the Sidekick 4G
ntThe Sidekick 4G rests in a colorful compartment just under the top cover.
Inner box contents of the Sidekick 4G
Inner box contents of the Sidekick 4G
ntInside the box you will find the necessary cables, pamphlets, and wired stereo headset.
Paper box contents
Paper box contents
ntThere are a few different pamphlets/guides in the top flap of the box.
Box and Sidekick 4G
Box and Sidekick 4G
ntHere is the Sidekick 4G with keyboard revealed outside the retail box.
Sidekick 4G with open keyboard
Sidekick 4G with open keyboard
ntThe 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
Sidekick family in closed position
ntHere are a couple other generations of Sidekick to see how this latest one stacks up.
Three Sidekicks with open keyboards
Three Sidekicks with open keyboards
ntAs 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
Large QWERTY keyboard
ntThe QWERTY keyboard is one of the best available and teens will be flying on it soon.
Bottom left of the keyboard
Bottom left of the keyboard
ntThe Shift button in the lower left has T-Mobile pink.
Right side buttons
Right side buttons
ntThe buttons and controls on the right side include the menu, directional optical joystick and back button.
Left side buttons
Left side buttons
ntThe home and jump buttons are found on the left side.
Back of the Sidekick 4G
Back of the Sidekick 4G
ntThe back is white with a single speaker, camera, and pink hinge area.
Back of the hinge are on the Sidekick 4G
Back of the hinge are on the Sidekick 4G
ntT-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
Cool pink hinge mechanism
ntThe hinge is solid and rotates in a slick manner.
Basic 3 megapixel camera
Basic 3 megapixel camera
ntA basic 3 megapixel camera is on one end of the back.
Rear speaker
Rear speaker
ntA speaker is found on the other side, adjacent to the finger area.
Right side of the Sidekick 4G
Right side of the Sidekick 4G
ntA cover for the microUSB port and the camera capture button are found on the right.
The cover is on a hinge
The cover is on a hinge
ntRemove the cover to sync and charge up the Sidekick 4G.
The optical joystick and other right side buttons
The optical joystick and other right side buttons
ntThe 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
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Sidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 2
Sidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 2
ntSidekick 4G image gallery thumbnail 2
