RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8900 has arrived on Rogers

Right now, the vast majority of RIM talk is centered around its touchscreen offering, but those firmly committed to its more traditional kit haven't forgotten for a second about the next-generation BlackBerry Curve. We knew the 8900 was destined for a life on Rogers, but we had no idea we'd feel this compelled to head north once it launched. The handset boasts a 2.4-inch, light-sensing 480 x 360 resolution display, 512MHz processor, quad-band EDGE / WiFi, 3.2-megapixel camera, GPS, a microSDHC card slot, removable 1,400mAh battery and Bluetooth 2.0; sadly, the omission of any 3G support isn't in error, and we're certain that'll be a deal-breaker for some. For those who don't mind (you know, those who just "live" near WiFi hotspots), it's available now in Canada from $179.99 with a pathetically lengthy 3-year contract (with minimum monthly rate plan of $45).

[Via BlackBerry News]

[Macca @ Dec 9th 2008 7:43AM]

Great, it's here. [Note sarcasm]

[Kris120890 @ Dec 9th 2008 7:48AM]

Who's stupid to take out a 3 month contract and then pay for the device. Thats is just one big bag of hurt.

[Kaj Bergman @ Dec 9th 2008 12:07PM]

You meen a 3 YEAR long contract. Thats at least what their talking about in the article.

[Jamesology @ Dec 9th 2008 8:23AM]

I would take a three month contract; but as for three years, now that's a problem.

[Félix @ Dec 9th 2008 7:49AM]

This basically is a Bold without 3G ?
I'm really curious.. who came up with the idea of making exactly the same phone but without the one thing everyone wants in its smartphone : 3G.
It's not even CHEAPER ffs !
Who would pick this over the Bold and why please ?

[tom @ Dec 9th 2008 8:38AM]

Curve is narrower than the bold, 3.2MP vs 2.0MP, and the price difference (Rogers always rip off Canadian in wireless technology)

Bold looks masculine, it is uncool for a chick want to lug it around

[user1 @ Dec 9th 2008 8:58AM]

like tom noted, there are considerable differences between this new curve and the bold. the 8900 is smaller and thinner and retains the spaces between the keys.

[Félix @ Dec 9th 2008 9:05AM]

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying those who will buy this are stupid.
What I'm saying is RIM was stupid not to make one phone instead of 2, and this way make it better.
Whatever you say the bold and the Curve are very similar.
in the leather case they are about the same size so unless you're bothered by the size of you phone when you hold it in your hands, in which case sorry for you buddy, the size doesn't matter.
Bold+Curve = 1 really awesome phone, cheaper and better thanks to a wider audience.
Economy of scale.

[tom @ Dec 9th 2008 9:22AM]

That's the problem iPhone has created. One size fits all. Either you love it or hate it.

Ever wonder why engadget always have iPhone fanboys vs. haters bashing each other??? Well, here is your answer

[Jim @ Dec 9th 2008 9:52AM]

Makes no sense. You save all of $20, don't get 3G, don't get the best piece of hardware yet put out by RIM (Bold) and don't get all of the services. Form over function. Is RIM really that enamored of Apple? If so, RIM also gets a bag of hurt in supporting yet another device. This is disemBoweled (Bold Lite).

[Jarek @ Dec 9th 2008 11:10AM]

Choice. Learn to enjoy it. Like the Bold more? Then get the Bold and shut up.

[ALCie @ Dec 9th 2008 12:15PM]

Actually, Crackberry did a review and concluded that the 3G doesnt affect browsing too much, check it out:
http://crackberry.com/rogers-8900-curve-review

3G really kills battery, plus the 8900 has DOUBLE the RAM. Could explain why the OS and browser are so speedy on this thing.

[mark balcerak @ Dec 9th 2008 7:57AM]

wheres the AT&T or Verizon version?

[MRCUR @ Dec 9th 2008 9:36AM]

The AT&T version is in testing with them right now.

[StephenD @ Dec 9th 2008 8:04AM]

3 years? Bringing a whole new meaning to "You've been Rogered".

[Macca @ Dec 9th 2008 8:19AM]

Roger that.

[Stan @ Dec 9th 2008 12:05PM]

I don't know what's worse about Canada: the exorbitant cell phone rates, or the lack of a functioning government.

[David @ Dec 19th 2008 1:38AM]

@Stan - Both your choices are the same. The government (or rather the lack of one) causes these damn cell phone rates

[Crayon @ Dec 9th 2008 8:10AM]

No 3G in this age? RIM is going back to the past. :) Good luck selling at $180 with 3 year contract!

[Shaggy @ Dec 9th 2008 8:18AM]

Actually, this phone IS going to do well. There's a whole group of people who got the BB Bold and the Apple iPhone, and didn't get data packages. So not everyone uses 3G. With this new phone, we're going to have a more smaller/stylish form-factor, with almost all the features of the Bold except for 3G, and a better battery life and Camera. For the market its aimed at, I believe it will do well. Just like the last Curve. I'm happy with my Bold, but I would have definately considered this phone if I wasn't interested in 3G and data plans.

[earthling @ Dec 9th 2008 8:20AM]

StephenD : nobody here in North America is going to get that. :)

Felix: The curve 8900 is significantly smaller than the bold, its closer to the existing curve in size. No 3G sucks bigtime.

[Félix @ Dec 9th 2008 8:29AM]

Ok I get this significantly smaller.
My dad owns a Curve (old one ofc) and once it's in the BB leather case it's not that much smaller...

So one one side you win 20 grammes and 1cm and on the other you loose 3G :/
I don't have a PhD in Mathematics but I'm pretty sure :
3G > "little difference in the form factor"

[Félix @ Dec 9th 2008 8:32AM]

My initial point was : RIm sometimes you have to do it the Apple way, make only one phone, make it Really good and just make it cheaper.

RIM is gonna sell at least as much Curves as it will sell Bolds

But if the curve didn't exist they would have sold twice as much Bolds and therefore it could have been much cheaper...
(And also could have spent a little more time on the goddamn web browser or whatever..)

[matt merritt @ Dec 9th 2008 8:34AM]

In other news: Rogers has politely asked their customers to bend over and open wide.

[kingofwale @ Dec 9th 2008 8:43AM]

I know this might be shocking to the rest of the world. But 3 years contract to Rogers customer is a MUST.

As much as it pains me to say, this is actually not bad... in a country where you are enslaved by ONE company owning the entire GSM network.


yeah, it DOES suck.

[Jack @ Dec 9th 2008 9:12AM]

I'm so sick how manufacterers release phones one country at a time. We got lucky with the iPhone (USA) but come on people! It took almost 3 months (I think) for us to get the Bold. Oy!

[Rick @ Dec 9th 2008 11:43AM]

We got our shipment in this morning...personally I love the way it looks, the Bold is too clunky and cheap feeling. The lack of 3G sucks but if I ever did go back to a Blackberry from my iPhone, it'd be this one or the Storm, if Rogers were to ever get it...and the black trackball, that's something weird about this one. Doesn't look as good.

[initialxy @ Dec 9th 2008 11:46AM]

Here in Canada, that's a pretty reasonable deal (especially considering the fact that it's from Rogers). I'd expect a significantly better deal when it arrives the US. I, for one, can't afford a decent 3G plan (from Rogers) anyways. I'm quite interested in this device.

[BurnTees @ Dec 9th 2008 12:13PM]

when is it coming to the US?!?!?!?

[hbot @ Dec 9th 2008 12:26PM]

yeah, engadget can you please do some sneaky detective work and find out when it's coming to the US...i really want this phone

[emanuelle @ Dec 9th 2008 6:27PM]

Every since Apple came along removable batteries have been the newest accessory to detail as if phones didn't already have it

[dan @ Dec 14th 2008 9:02PM]

the bold does not have uma ,so it can not do voice over internet in ontario
the 8900 has uma voice over wifi