In December 2008, reports about the January 2009 issue of Consumer Reports put the Samsung BlackJack II at the top of its smartphone ratings. Early headlines focused on the iPhone 3G and T-Mobile G1 missing the top five. Other coverage placed them farther down the same set of ratings. The difference matters: a phone can miss the shortlist and still have been tested.
What the December reports agreed on
WIRED’s December 16 item named the BlackJack II and T-Mobile Wing as the top two. It also mentioned the Motorola Q9c, T-Mobile Shadow and BlackBerry Pearl Flip. TechCrunch named the same five models that day. That gives the BlackBerry Pearl Flip a place in the contemporary accounts, even though another retelling questioned the absence of BlackBerry.
Engadget’s December 18 report put both the iPhone 3G and G1 in the middle of the pack. That is consistent with their absence from the top five. It does not establish their exact scores. The issue is dated January 2009, which explains why a ratings list discussed in December 2008 can appear under either year.
Which BlackJack was rated?
The 2008 reports identify the BlackJack II. The original BlackJack arrived earlier. Our history of the original Samsung BlackJack traces the earlier carrier launch and includes the original quick-start guide. That guide is for the first BlackJack. Look for documentation marked BlackJack II if you’re identifying the handset in these ratings.
How much of the ranking can be reconstructed?
The contemporary reports establish the winner and give enough overlap to identify the shortlist. The original score table and test methodology would be needed to explain what earned each phone its position. Those details remain unverified.