BlackBerry Curve 8900 comes to AT&T this Friday for $199
By Chris Ziegler 
posted May 20th 2009 12:21PM
posted May 20th 2009 12:21PM
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Sorry too late the pre has been announced!
So you can't pay with $100 bills?
Nor 10's, for that matter.
I wondered why RIM's share price went up today. Another BlackBerry to woo buyers and investors. I'm sure they must release one new handset every month. That's some interesting strategy and so far it's been working against ALL smartphone competitors.
looks nice what a shame it has no 3G
Given the frequency of calls dropping when switching from HSDPA to EDGE, this phone should be a lot better for actually making calls.
for...Apple iPhone press '1'
For an Apple related product fire press "2".
For products that doesn't have anything to do with this article; press your computer's power button now.
storm2 would be nice, wonder when we will have stuff on AT&T other than the iphone.
Storm 2? Does that thing really need a sequel?
Ok so I'm confused. Is this the replacement for the 83x0 or isn't it?
lack of 3g no thanks! pressing one now '1' ! lol!
I'm currently on the Curve and was originally planning to upgrade to this until I found out it had no 3G. What a waste. Looks like I'll probably end up on an iPhone now instead.
Yeah, my wife's waiting to upgrade from her Curve, but for the same price ($199) you can get the new iPhone or even a Bold.
The only difference between this and the previous Curve is the updated OS and a better camera right?
Better screen, too.
Just get an E71 dude.
Better off buying this on t-mo. You get the same features plus UMA which is a deal breaker for me.
smartphone with no 3G...FAIL
I'll be honest, I really like this phone. I also really hate people that are so quick that just say "No 3G no sale" because it seems like such a quick judgement. Moreover on the lack of 3G is the price! You can get the Pre, iPhone, Bold etc all at the same price! Sell this for 100 or 150 and it'll be a serious mover, guarenteed. The curve 83xx is the most bought smartphone and BB should keep their market. Curve 83xx != $200 on contract and neither should the 8900.
Still really like the phone though, I hope the price comes down.
@oghowie: plus it has GPS and WiFi. I'm pretty sure the previous Curve only had one or the other, not both.
p.s. anyone know why it takes me 5 tries before Engadget accepts my comments!!!???!!!!
lewd, rude, and crude language perhaps?
Get the Nokia E71 or Samsung Jack instead. 3G and WiFi
Yeah, they totally borked the pricing on this one. You can get a refurb Bold off the AT&T site for $199. The only advantage the Curve has over the Bold is size.
Whoops, and a slightly better camera (3.2 versus 2.0 MP). Still not worth the lack of 3G.
Argh, higher screen resolution too (480x360 versus 480x320 on the Bold).
I still think 3G is more important, but I'm just going to shut up now.
Probably a good idea.
I know this is off topic so forgive me in advance! But I thought it to be worthy of sharing with you all.
Just got off the phone with the COOLEST rep. from Verizon and...she while won't deny the existence of a BlackBerry Storm 2 but she did commit to the following:
Verzon Wireless is NOT (as expected!) going to have an upgrade program for the BlackBerry Storm 1 - PERIOD.
The only way to get it is obviously buy it outright when they become available or if your account is eligible for a hadrware upgrade.
What ticks me off is my Storm just crossed the threshold of the 30 return policy by ONE DAY - of course the normal warranty coverage kicked in but there is NIO WAY in hell of landing a Storm 2 other than being RAPED again or use the hardware upgrade policy.
When asked about a forthcoming software upgrade she is being told to relay there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CURRENT SOFTWARE RELEASE of 4.7.0.75. Which would explain why there is no hurry to get out an update before the launch of the Storm 2. Oh, and she did give me a "hint, hint" about the release of the Storm 2 at months end.
Why would they give you a discount on a new phone? Nobody gives you a discounted rate unless you're eligible for an upgrade..
I've had this for a few weeks here in Canada. I chose it over the Bold cause I liked the keyboard of my old Curve.
There is one thing I didn't know before buying this phone (which would have made me buy the Bold)... the power jack is on the lower right side as opposed to the old curve and the bold where it is on the top half. This stupid location makes it very difficult to use the keyboard when the phone is plugged in. Also, holding the phone to talk is harder too.
FAIL.
no, just get E71....jack's really bad.
How do you know this? Care to offer any proof or at least elaborate before making such a comment? The Blackjack 2 has been the best phone I have ever owned (over 10 of them now) and also one of the cheapest. Considering I was stupid and spent full price on the RAZR and have spent more than $500 on a phone before... I haven't tried the Jack yet of course, but I am a little defensive of the Blackjack line...
Thats a shame, I was hoping to upgrade my curve but now I don't really see any reason to. Looks like it's back to thinking about bolds.
oghowie @ May 20th 2009 1:20PM
Why would they give you a discount on a new phone? Nobody gives you a discounted rate unless you're eligible for an upgrade..
Actually Apple/AT&T does. I bought a 2G iPhone about 3 months before the 3G came out and they gave/offered me the $199 for 8gb, $299 for 16gb option. In fact they gave it to all existing iPhone owners.
Kinda funny as of today my Blackberry Bold is scheduled for delivery. I'm going back to BB!
Yeah, I had a 2G iPhone too.
I believe that was a special case, because we never got a discount on our 2G iPhones. We basically paid full retail price with no subsidy.
"Bold or Curve -- tough choice, isn't it?"
Uh, no!!!! That's like saying do I want to be on an EDGE network or a 3G network. Which one do you think most people would choose? And AT&T needs the curve for what reason? They already have the bold which is better and faster. What gives?
What gives? The price! No commitment pricing for AT&T for the bold is $599.99 or $399 with a contract. (They are giving a $100 rebate which brings it to $299)
Retaild for the 8900 is $499.99. With a contract its $199.
Blackberry is just looking for price gaps to fill! "Oh you cant afford this one? Then we have this one which is ALMOST like that one!"
When the heck is Verizon going to get a Bold equivalent or at least one like this? Switching to AT&T for the Bold was the worst technological decision I have ever made (other than investing in MC Hammer parachute pants). AT&T should change their slogan to "No bars in any places."
I think I'm the only one that really likes the new model. While I'm not real happy with the price point, it's a nice replacement for my current Curve that has served me very well for the past 2 years but is definitely in need of replacing. I use my Blackberry for phone, email and calendar only (old school...I know), so the lack of 3G is no concern for me. Plus the keyboard on my Blackberry curve is so far superior then any other phone out there (and I have tried plenty) that this phone is the perfect choice for me.
Been one in my brothers pocket for the last month.
To much $ for it!
Can anyone else see the glaring design flaw in this - red numbers on black background. It is very difficult to dial quickly as the numbers are tricky to see
Friend has one. He sent it back
No kidding! The phone manufacturers really need to agree on standard placement of the numbers on a telephone keypad.
Oh, wait...
I just got mine from AT&T and the numbers are not red they are silver.
the pic above must be the T-Mo version or some other kind of prototype
Why don't you put correct price in your article. You will need 300 benjamins. It is $199 after $100 rebate. Not worth it for 2G device.
I wonder if this will be required a data plan as part of AT&T's new data T's & C's... If so, no thanks.
I'd rather get it from T-Mobile (if I decided on the Curve 8900), since within 3 months it'll be cheaper to buy after ETF, and one would get an unlock code for it by T-Mobile easy after 90 days (AT&T hates giving out unlock codes while one is on contract).
Prices overall before rebates:
T-Mobile: 250+100+3months
AT&T: 300+160+3months
To those that might claim the mail in rebate changes the pricing toward AT&T: RIM's $100 mail in rebate on the 8900 is also valid for the T-Mobile version...
Sweet! The blackberry 28475293z model109823854
This will be awesome replacing my old 198273641x model122398474
Have this phone for T-mobile with NO data plan and unlimited texting. HUGE improvment over the 83xx series (read some reviews and comparisons)... love this phone. No 3g, but I'll gladly take that over paying $20-$30 a month for data. I'm a student, and don't really care about push e-mail, and use the wi-fi all over campus and at home. Their are many great free wifi apps availible such as maps with GPS, e-mail, AIM and IM services (through 3rd party apps), radio, and weather. More and more apps are being released that are wifi-only compatible. But hey, if you want to spend the money each month for data be my guest ; )
I've done Blackberry for a long time and just upgraded to the 8900 from a Perl - and it's going back to TMO. I can't stand the tiny keys... every time I use it I make lots of typing mistakes. My old Perl was about three times as fast typing. As for the 8900's functionality its ok but not super... so is still going back. I was not on contract with TMO - but they gave it to me for $0 with a two year contract extension. A friend offered me an extra new Perl for real cheap so I'm going back to a Perl (mine finally broke) until the iPhone OLED comes out in a few months. Played with a friends iPhone last week and liked it much better than the 8900 for typing, plus all the apps make it more compelling.