BlackBerry 9000 to come in cheaper, 3G-less version

Apparently, RIM is a bit worried that the rumored high price-point for the forthcoming BlackBerry 9000 might be a bit too steep for some, and plans to offer a budget version -- sans 3G. According to the Boy Genius, an almost identical model of the next-gen phone will be available without high-speed data, and will have a slightly different bezel and back casing (which he's gotten a picture of, seen up above) -- though we're not sure why they'd go to the trouble of making a different body when only the guts will change. Clearly it's one of life's mysteries we weren't meant to understand.

[Neoprimal @ May 5th 2008 8:29AM]

Like a car. People want other people to know they got 'the good version'....so sometimes cars are identical but have little differentiating touches done to the exterior.

I'm guessing the same goes with the phone. How're you going to know it's not the more expensive version if there's not something making it different on the outside?

[Pochi @ May 5th 2008 8:38AM]

"...we're not sure why they'd go to the trouble of making a different body when only the guts will change."

Like a PS3 or an Xbox 360?

[melloncollie @ May 5th 2008 9:27AM]

That doesn't even make sense.

[Pochi @ May 5th 2008 10:00AM]

If you mean the article's statement, I agree. When the internals change, usually the casing does too.

If you mean ME, I was using the Xbox and PS3 of examples. Each has several different models with similar guts and different casing.

[Marky @ May 5th 2008 9:21AM]

Given that most of Europe and Asia has been 3G for a while and rapidly moving to the next level, that can only mean this is being made for the older infrastructure in America which leads me to beleive that it would be better to consider moving to a network which offers 3G rather than sticking to one without in order to get them waking up and implementing the technology before they get left behind again.

[wrabbit @ May 5th 2008 9:21AM]

The body is probably also changed to be made of a bit cheaper materials, or maybe just the shape itself is somehow cheaper to make... I just doubt that simply removing 3G would allow them to drop the prices significantly so they probably did a few more small (mostly unnoticeable) changes to reduce the cost of the unit.

[Eric @ May 5th 2008 9:33AM]

T-Mobile will probably pick this one up since apparently they believe full-blown 3G is not the way to go yet.

[jordan @ May 5th 2008 9:51AM]

I find it interesting that RIM has decided to try to compete on more of a consumer level, instead of a corporate-customer level. Personally, the one reason I would have a BlackBerry would be to use BES to handle my e-mail and scheduling at my place of work. The devices are usually quite expensive, even after discounts, so I don't see what they offer to most non-business oriented customers that my Palm Centro doesn't already offer.

[Jared @ May 5th 2008 9:58AM]

if you can't afford the more expensive phone than you probably can't afford the $30/month server fee which means you probably shouldn't get a blackberry

[Phoenix @ May 5th 2008 10:02AM]

It's so that people who have the 3G version will know which of their friends don't so they can secretly laugh at them.

[Big Al @ May 5th 2008 10:18AM]

Still don't get the fascination with blackberries. Who the heck wants to be tied to email all day? Life is so short and precious. Working 9-5 is bad enough!

[Jan @ May 5th 2008 11:26AM]

@Big Al: I don't work from 9 to 5 behind my desk. I'm often on the road. And I don't need to work behind a desk since I carry my BB around.

[notice @ May 5th 2008 10:52AM]

Some, like me, prefer e-mail communications to phone conversations. Blackberry does e-mail the best (imo). That's why I have a blackberry. They aren't bad phones, either.

@Jordan, you didn't say this outright, but just in case you think the 9000 is RIMS first foray into non-professional, consumer devices, I offer the 83XX. I'm glad to see RIM going this direction, and I hope all the DIY and "at home" developers catch on and start making cool apps, games, themes and whatnot so I can get even more out of this device.

[Crazyapple @ May 5th 2008 11:29AM]

Marky, I think the point is to offer a lower cost option, not just to provide it for alternative cell networks.

As far as the car analogy - I agree... I always get a kick out of "5.0 Liter" or "V6" on a car... why doesn't it also say "Leather seats", "Premium Sound System" or "Performance Suspension"...

What the hell do I care what engine someone has?

[Chad @ May 5th 2008 11:38AM]

Actually it's even funnier than that. I especially like the Chevy Suburban vs. Cadillac Escalade. Fundamentally the same vehicle but the Caddy demands a premium. I can't tell you how many Suburbans I have seen where they swapped the bowtie for the Caddy emblem!

[macstibs @ May 5th 2008 11:42AM]

When dammit?! WHEN!?!?!?

[Jamesology @ May 5th 2008 2:29PM]

where are blackberries made?

[Badonkadonk @ May 6th 2008 8:01AM]

Define "made"?
RIM is a Canadian company and their engineering offices are scattered across Canada and the US - their home office is Waterloo, ON. They have a small manufacturing plant in Waterloo, but they have additional manufacturing sites in Mexico and Hungary, and these produce the majority of devices for the NA and EMEA markets.

[Tyson @ May 5th 2008 2:51PM]

Why? Why can't I have a blackberry with 3g? Why can't i live my life? I understand there are 2 versions but why take a step backward?