Hands-on with the Haier "Elegance"

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jan 11th 2007 at 4:08PM

Last time we saw Haier's glossy, submicronic capsule, we'd been tossing around the name "Black Pearl" and lamenting the lack of GSM 850. Well, times change, and so does this phone. Turns out it's officially called the "Elegance" -- which makes more sense, considering the threat of a RIM lawsuit constantly looming over Haier's head otherwise -- but better yet, there's a new variant of the handset that trades tri-band GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 for dual-band 850 / 1900. Granted, you give up a band in the process, but the tweaked model should offer better performance Stateside in return. We were pleasantly surprised both with the Elegance's performance and appearance; sound quality was great for both voice calls and FM radio / MP3 playback, and the OLED display looked fabulous when it appeared from beneath its mirrored confines. Follow the break for more eye candy!

Filed under: Handsets, Others, GSM

Tags: black pearl, BlackPearl, candybar, ces, elegance, features, haier, hands-on, small, tiny

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Tyler @ Jan 11th 2007 4:20PM

Awesome! I love it. Im so sick of giant phones, I just want a really really tiny, fully functional sms capable phone that sits in my pocket. No frills, just text and voice. Any word on availability?

Neutral

maximus @ Jan 11th 2007 4:31PM

wehre can i buy it?

Highly Ranked

Richard @ Jan 11th 2007 5:08PM

Wow!

Does it vibrate?

Neutral

Brian @ Jan 11th 2007 5:14PM

I love the phone, but where's the CDMA/EVDO love?

Neutral

xj911 @ Jan 11th 2007 5:26PM

Reminds me of one of my favorite phones, the Siemens S56. I'd sport one if the price vs. featureset was reasonable.

Neutral

Max Emoto @ Jan 11th 2007 8:47PM

This phone seems great for my grandma (as strange as that sounds) She hates flip phones, and sliders. All she wants is a small phone that you can (in her own words) "Dial numbers, pick up, and hang up. Nothing more!" Anyone have a time frame when it will be available state side?

Neutral

MikeC @ Jan 12th 2007 3:23AM

Ok guys, its not cool to keep flaunting your Sprint Q while I'm left here waiting for it be available to the rest of us! Hand it over!

Neutral

Anthony @ Jan 12th 2007 10:47AM

We will have these available with in 2 weeks. Please contact me for ordering information. ascarsella@imo.com

Neutral

mikelite @ Jan 13th 2007 11:47AM

IMO.com said - $239 no contract, $99 2yr TMo or Cingular

Neutral

Anthony @ Jan 15th 2007 12:32PM

UPDATE:Price Change
I was informed by the Haier rep that they will be in around 7-10 days. Also the price has dropped -$20 ascarsella@imo.com

Neutral

dan @ Jan 17th 2007 5:33PM

We are an authorized vendor for Haier "elegance", formerly known as black pearl. check out www.firsttoyou.com to order yours now (shipping world triband this month, and dual band US 850/1900mhz, in Feb.)

Neutral

Will @ Feb 8th 2007 9:18AM

Who do I talk to about distributerships, retail opportunities within Australia?

Kind Regards,

Will

Neutral

Thiago @ May 10th 2007 7:15PM

Hello,
Does anyone know if I can buy the Elegance in Canada?
Is there any store that carries the phone?
Thanks

Neutral

DORIS FISHER @ May 31st 2007 7:25AM

I would like to know which country i can buy one of these elegance phone now? i prefer pink or red colour but if it is not available, i dont mind any colour. please reply me soon as am in love with the phone.

Neutral

Jonathan @ Mar 29th 2009 9:44AM

Hey, Sprint has a Q?

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