Sidekick Slide vs. Sidekick LX
We were fortunate enough to preview the Sidekick Slide way back in July, and for the most part, our opinions and views haven’t changed. Instead of just doing a review on the Sidekick Slide, we’re going to pin it head-to-head with the Sidekick LX. For each category you’ll see our opinions on both of the devices, so sit back, relax, and put them profiles on "Buzz".
Operating System
Sidekick Slide: If you’re a previous Sidekick user you’ll immediately notice the refined look of the new OS, new system sounds, and a couple of other handy features.
Sidekick LX: We might be hearing things, but we noticed different system sounds on the Slide, and the LX. In general, the Sidekick LX really shows off the new OS nicely because of the real estate screen space.
Screen
Sidekick Slide: The Sidekick Slide’s screen has a resolution of 320×240, and is exactly the same physical size as the Sidekick iD. Even though it is quite smaller than the LX, the Slide’s screen is crisp, bright, and shows vivid colors.
Sidekick LX: We’re in love with the Sidekick LX’s screen! At a resolution of a 400×280, it provides ample room when web browsing, or just doing general tasks with the device. This is the main reason we’re so inclined to stick with the LX. It really is fantastic.
Instant Messaging
We can’t really show off the differences between the Slide and LX because they both have the exact same IM clients on board. Again, LX screen size makes IMing oh-so-easy!
Size
Sidekick Slide: The Slide’s physical size is the smallest of any Sidekick yet. It’s even thinner than the LX at 17.2mm, and is perfect for someone constantly on the move, yet not willing to give up Danger’s OS.
Sidekick LX: The LX is really for the more hardcore Sidekick users. It is 21.8mm thick, wider, and longer than the Slide, but for anyone with large hands, this is the way to go
Keyboard
Sidekick Slide: When you make the Sidekick smaller, the keyboard obviously will get smaller, too. The Slide’s keyboard is actually hard plastic circular-shaped keys, and while we could get used to them, there is minimal tactile feedback. We can see the younger / female market loving this.
Sidekick LX: As the manufacturer of probably the best keyboards for mobile devices on the planet, Danger can’t mess with success here. And they haven’t pretty much. The LX’s keyboard is roomy, extremely pleasurable to type on, and sort of combines the Sidekick 2’s rubber keyboard, with the Sidekick 3’s plastic key keyboard into one. This turned out very well, and we have no keyboard regrets.
Reception
Sidekick Slide: We’ve got Motorola for the first time, and we’ve got Sharp for the LX. Motorola came to play and we think they did a great job. Reception is on-par with average Motorola reception, and we hardly noticed any "two-dot dances" or "X’s" we previously have gotten on earlier Sidekick models
Sidekick LX: The LX is physically a bigger device. That leaves for room to play around with the antenna, and it worked. The Sidekick LX’s reception is fantastic, and totally trumps any previous Sidekick model. It is one hair-level better than the Slide in our unscientific tests.
Call Quality
Sidekick Slide: Motorola integrated the ear speaker on the actual screen panel, instead of the d-pad where all of the ear speakers have always been housed. This was an awesome move, and provides the most clear and not awkward talking experience of any Sidekick to date. It is also incredibly comfortable.
Sidekick LX: As we mentioned above, the ear speaker is housed on the d-pad which is on the left side of the phone. We don’t normally use the Sidekick devices as phones, but when we tried it out, we noticed a buzz / hiss through out all conversations, and after a couple minutes the d-pad started to get annoying.
Speaker Volume / Quality
Sidekick Slide: The Slide’s volume ups the LX by a little bit. We hear a much louder and fuller sound when using the Slide, and you don’t get those fun lights to help you know when you’ve got a call or message, so that speaker better be on point! And it is.
Sidekick LX: Definitely wished it was louder, but it is not iPhone quiet. Speakerphone when talking on the phone was pretty good and definitely audible, but MP3 playback is a little tough. We also miss IMs sometimes because of the low volume
Side note to Danger: Integrate vibrate with the AIM IM sound for the love of god, already!
Catalog
We actually don’t have to split this up because as far as we can tell, the Catalog is actually exactly the same on both devices. We reported that the Catalog would stop using "blocks" to show how much Application / Game space you had left, and we were 100% on the money! We finally have the storage space shown in Kilobytes, and this helps judge the remaining space more accurately. Something which you’re not able to do, is store Applications / Games to your memory card. This really puts our mind to work, because we have no idea why! It is not like you could copy the app off the memory card and send it to your friend so they can install it for free! The Sidekick platform is only open to developers, so with out a dev key, you are not able to do anything besides buy apps and games. Come on, Danger! If I want to buy more stuff, but don’t have space on the handset, you’re not going to let me? Totally wack! On the flip side, if you do uninstall something you bought, you’re free to install it again because the Sidekick back-end keeps track of your purchases. Not the best of methods, but at least you don’t have to buy something over and over again.
Conclusion:
We hope you liked our head-to-head battle between the Sidekick Slide and the Sidekick LX. What’s our ultimate conclusion? If you’re a hardcore Sidekick user you’ll want to grab the LX. The keyboard and screen alone make this a win. The Sidekick Slide isn’t really beneath the LX on the totem pole, so if you want an awesome phone, but love the Danger OS all in a small device, you will definitely want to pickup the Slide. It’s a hard choice, believe us. We switched from the LX to the Slide, back to the LX probably 6 times alone in the past day, but for now, we’re sticking with the Sidekick LX. The screen is just too good…
Click on over to our Sidekick Slide vs. Sidekick LX gallery!
I got the sidekick slide. Im a boy. At first if you’re a first time sidekick user this seems cool. But after a while you feel bad because so many people (GIRLS) have it. I played with my friends SKiD and the keypad is so good. The slide keypad is okay if you’ve never felt a SK keypad. If you have the oppurtunity definetely get the SKLX.
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I don’t know why motorola even tried to make a sidekick. O well every one else go coop that sidekick lx fereal. I predict that their will never ever be a nother sidekick slide purcharse again.
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For all you shorteys out their that want a sidekick lx I will buy you one. U just have 2 sick my incredible lollipop.
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If I was rich I would buy all the cute girls out their a sidekick lx. But first I have to upgrade from my stupid sidekick slide.
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you can go on ebay to get a sidekick for cheap
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im thinking about getting a sidekick lx. but im concemplating because they say the speakers bad and its big
so should i get the slide? i really like the swivel screen tho… but i wanted to know which one is thicker the slide or lx. which one fits easier in a pocket cuz it looks as if the lx is thinner but its longer. the slide looks thicker but is shorter
im confused
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Well… I’ve reviewed both of the phones very carefully and I’d have to go with the Slide.
They are actually both $199 now, so that’s kind of nice. I thought it was ridiculous that the LX was THAT much more expensive.
Anyways, I just purchased the Slide.
I still don’t think it’s worth it for the price… Neither one of the phones are… Come on, T-Mobile!
I got mine for free, but that’s besides the point.
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I purchased the lx about 2-3 weeks ago, and on july 4th, i was takin a picture in my bathroom and it slipped from my hands and onto the bathroom floor..and it was heads face first and i went to pick it up..thinking there was dust, it was cracked all across the screen. ive never had that happen with my previous siekicks..so now im going to buy the slide..but dont get me wrong i LOVED my LX!! A lot of $ but worth it, but im gonna try the slide for somethin diff.
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Okay, so I left that comment two comments above… big mistake! I had so many freaking problems and I got it replaced and the newer Slide sucked even more.
T-Mobile gave me a lot of problems when I called… I kept getting transfered to the same automated system. Anyways, they’re sending me an LX for free, too.
I’m on the Slide still at the moment and I’m a girl with small hands and I absolutely hate the keyboard.
Get the LX since it’s now the same price.
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the slide is better give me a free one
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I first got the sidekick slide for Christmas 2008. I had been wanting the phone because of the looks and it felt right in the hand. I first realized problems when I started sliding the phone up and down. The phone would randomly turn off. I knew there were problems with the phone before but T-Mobile said they had got rid of the phones that messed up.Obviously mine was still messed up so I had to get a new one. The slide doesn’t have really any features that should be necessary on a phone.First off there isn’t an alarm clock built in.I looked online today and it says you have to pay $5 just to download the alarm.An alarm should be automatically on there. Also,the camera on the slide sucks. It takes bad pictures and there is no flash. Everything looks so dark.Another bad thing about the slide is that it always freezes up.I will be in the middle of a text and the phone will freeze up. The only reason I keep this phone is because of the looks.
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I don’t know what ur all talking about…my sidekick hasn’t given me any problems with it shutting down when I close it….but my scroll bar gave out and I’ve NEVER dropped my phone and there’s no water damage I have insurence on the phone and I’ve only had the phone since june….will they give me a free lx in exchanged for my slightly deffected slide? And a NEW lx at that? Since the slides are dis continued… Can someone tell me?
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okay… i comletly disergree… iv had pretty much all the sidekicks otha than the LX but 2 ov my mates do…and i hate them the slide rules ova them all and samller the better…it takes a bit ov gettin used 2 cos all the buttons r smaler but is still the sidekick so far…
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How i may contact admin this site? I have a question.
iijiivei
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the slide is extremely hard to type on… if your a text person i suggest getting sk3 sk lx
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You can buy a sidekick cheap at best buy for $220
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