BlackBerry 850

Not originally called a “BlackBerry”, but rather the RIM 850 Wireless Handheld – this was BlackBerry’s first handheld device that could send emails and messages, and keep address books and calendars, as well as manage users’ task lists. It had a monotone display and the first-generation version of the QWERTY keyboard that made BlackBerry as popular as it became with each subsequent device release. With its 4 MB of memory (yes, you read that correctly) and its AA battery, this 133 g device represented a turning point in personal communication for consumers. Consumers still needed a phone, though.

BlackBerry 5810

A more compact and “modern” BlackBerry was released in 2002 – the 5810, which was the first of the BlackBerry integrated personal communication device with phone capability. Without a built-in microphone and speaker, it came with a headset, which allowed users to make calls, and it featured a larger display (though still monotone).

BlackBerry 7210

This was one of the first full-function phones to appeal to the business community – its colour display was a 240×160 pixel screen and it had 2MB of RAM and 16 MB of storage built into the phone. With this mid-2003 release, users could now also browse the web, open documents, and send messages with the sleeker keyboard, or even make phone calls with the now built-in speaker and mic. The battery life of this handset was fairly decent for its time and only required a charge every two days or so, even with average use.

BlackBerry 7100t and BlackBerry Pearl 8100

These 2004 and 2006 phones, respectively, represented BlackBerry’s slimming down of their handsets in preparation for mass-production of their smartphones (which – up to this point – had really only appealed to business users). The QWERTY keyboard was reduced to a SureType keyboard, which had one key for two letters, and these models introduced consumer features like a media player and a camera to the phones.

By 2007, BlackBerry released the 8800 to market, with its improvement lying in its built-in GPS as well as its larger RAM and storage, and the reintroduction of the QWERTY keyboard. By the time the BlackBerry Curve 8300 landed in the laps of consumers, BlackBerry was arriving at the peak of its success, and while the rest of the world was ready to receive the much-speculated-about iPhone, BlackBerry still enjoyed years’ more success in South Africa, where the phones were targeted at teenagers, who could take advantage of the set monthly cost of internet access with BIS. BlackBerry still enjoys a modicum of success in the country, with die-hard fans and new converts enjoying the new Z30.

As a technology-enabled generation, we’ve matured along with the development of mobile phones. First there was the brick with its giant battery pack, and then increasingly smaller phones and chargers as the years wore on and the technology improved. Cell phone batteries have also been adapted to suit new mobile and smartphone designs, with lithium-based batteries being the latest technology we’ve come to rely on to keep our mobile phones, well, mobile. Replacing batteries can be expensive, so here’s what you need to do to prolong the life of your phone’s battery:

Fully charge the battery before its first use

If you’ve taken advantage of some cell phone specials and just got yourself a new phone, you’ll need to charge the battery for about six hours before using the phone for the first time. This is called “initialising” the battery. Even if you pop the battery into the phone and it indicates that it’s fully charged, keep it plugged in for six hours.

Don’t run it right down

The old nickel-based batteries needed to be run flat before being fully recharged again, to get the most out of them. This is an old habit that needs to be left behind with the old technology! Lithium-based batteries need to be recharged as early and as often as is necessary – called “shallow charging”. By letting your battery run right down, you can actually damage it and shorten its lifespan.

Don’t let the battery get hot

A cool battery is an efficient battery. Ideally, your phone should always be used at room temperature – don’t leave it in direct sunlight, a hot car, or even in your pocket close to your body heat. While your phone is charging, the battery shouldn’t get hot – if it does, you may have a faulty charger. A hot battery will not last a long time.

Store the battery appropriately

If it’s time for a contract upgrade and you’ve got your eye on a new phone, remember that if your old phone will be out of use for a while, you should take the battery out and store it in the fridge. The charge should be at around 40% before you place it in a ziplock bag or other airtight container and store it in the fridge door. When you need to use it again, remove it from the fridge and the container and let it warm up to ambient temperature for about two hours before placing it into the phone and fully charging it again before use.

Clean battery contacts

The contact points between the battery and your phone will get dirty over time. Any dirt that gets in between the contact points can hamper the energy transfer, making the battery less efficient. Using a clean ear-bud or a soft microfibre cloth, gently clean the contact points on the battery and on your phone.