We've just been sent a mother lode of shots of RIM's upcoming
BlackBerry 9800 -- a phone whose market name is still unknown -- but whether it's called the Bold, the Torch, or something else altogether, we think we're looking at near-final hardware here. The software is identified as version 0.9, but you can clearly tell from the UI that it's running
BlackBerry 6 with an ever-so-slightly refined look and subtle 3D elements missing from prior releases. This particular phone is AT&T-branded, and it starts up with a carrier logo screen that proudly proclaims the 9800 a world phone -- sure enough, the About screen shows support for WCDMA bands I, II, V, and VI, which means you'll be able to use the phone for 3G service in Japan and most of Europe. Generally speaking, BlackBerrys haven't been known to be the prettiest things around (with the possible exception of the
Curve 8900), but we'll admit -- we're digging this. Check out the full gallery below!
[Thanks, Om]
posted June 24th 2010 2:48PM
Holy moly.
@ryuuzaki89 Holy ugly.
@ryuuzaki89
iPhone 4 lovers in 5, 4, 3, 2 ....
@ryuuzaki89
You know what. I actually like it.
It combines the Storm and Bold together.
The combination I have been waiting for so long.
It seems elegant, and nice.
Fyi, I've been waiting for this form-factor to come from RIM for years.
@MSM
Blackberrys and iPhones are two different categories why would you even compare the two?
@MSM
Oh please, blackberries have real keyboards.
Try typing as fast as you would on your iPhone.
You can't? Aww too bad.
Apple must have been messing with your brain
that a fake keyboard is better than a real keyboard.
PS: Both are great phones, so please don't bring fire here.
@ryuuzaki89
hes not comparing. hes doing a countdown for the iphone fanboys to blast their dull opinions.
finally RIM released another dumb phone for this year.
@potretr
and also you sir, became the DUMBEST person on earth for the year.
@wako
My you was in reference to any potential "comparer".
@ryuuzaki89
I gotta say.... in all black, that thing looks Dolemite-Bad Ass..
Only one problem: it's on AT&T.
RIM really should pat themselves on the back for the big innovation. First the iphone failclone and now the Pre wannabe. No, the Pre wasn't the first sliderphone, but it was the first slider like THIS.
@ryuuzaki89 RIM really needs to start fresh. Sliders aren't fresh.
@Revolutionary I'm with you, although I probably will not buy a blackberry anytime soon, but this is a nice looking device.
Wat d screen resolution/Type?
@BigE4284 It look's ugly because of the perspective created by the camera angle. This device is about the same size as the bold, which is really small.
@bob1000 Who cares about fresh? BB has to worry about the business user who wants a physical keyboard. Anyone who's used a Palm Pre for any amount of time can tell you, these slide out keyboards are terrific and much better than on screen keyboards once you get your speed up on them.
@ryuuzaki89
A video would be appreciated. I've been waiting for this phone for ages and I believe that you'll make the best video/review/preview possible, showing the device's capabilities.
@ryuuzaki89
People just love to compare things. It is true that the BlackBerry and the iPhone are both phones and I think that the iPhone is closer to the 9800 than to most other BlackBerrys. The BlackBerry has a real keyboard and is far more alighned with what carriers and business want whulst the iPhone is a fashion accessory with a brilliant browser.
I shall be sticking with the BlackBerry since I need a phone that actually makes and receives calls whilst I hold it.
@MSM
You notice the iphone in the reflection of the screen in some pics? irony...
@ryuuzaki89
Lol @ an iPhone being used to take the pictures.
@Revolutionary
While I'm not a Blackberry person, this phone looks nice. The finish on the back is very sleek and cool. Also it looks like an extremely purposeful phone. The only drawback for me is the skin used for the Blackberry OS. I find it just a tiny bit bland. Nice looking phone none-the-less.
@Revolutionary
I'm torn - I've been a BB fan for years (was in love, wanted to have babies, with my 8830) and I can't imagine living without RIM's excellent physical keyboards, or perfect Exchange wireless sync for email and calendar...but -
The Android sexiness is luring me away. HDMI out, great apps, Google Voice...what to do? RIM's OS 6.0 just doesn't look like its going to catch up. Droid X, or wait for the 9800 to come to Verizon?
@Revolutionary I agree. If I was to ever consider going back to using Blackberry's (which, no), this would be my choice.
@RRozasIII BlackBerry already has an excellent Google Voice app. The great thing about the BlackBerry that there are thousands of themes to choose from to personalize your BlackBerry. Also there is no restrictions of apps, BlackBerry does not have to approve the app before it can be add to your BlackBerry, they treat you like an adult, you pick and choose what is available, and there is plenty available. I prefer to use the Mobihand App store, but BlackBerry is releasing a new App Store with even more features. I prefer function over form and BlackBerry gives me both.
@Geekbro RIM might give you options in terms of app stores, but as far as App World is concerned, there is an approval process and their processing time is glacial.
Palm Pre.
@KevOne http://bit.ly/colj8K
@KevOne
Ah the Palm Post finally surfaces.
@KevOne
Maybe with the build quality the palm pre should have ever had?
@KevOne HTC Blue Angel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Blue_Angel
The Pre wasn't the first...
@zeroinfinity2
You guys should all just give in to the Palm Pre. It's the best phone on the market. Listen to the Best of CES 2009 award, Phone Arenas 9.9/10, Phone News 2010 Phone of the Year, G4s 5 out of 5, Laptop Magazines March Madness Champion, and Laptop Mags Battle of the Champions champion vs the Droid Incredible. Don't act like the Pre wasn't a kick ass phone. Just because you haven't REALLY tried it doesn't make it ok to knock it.
Solid device. Love the BB keyboards.
@Rick Astley
wtf? you arent going to sing for me?!
@Rick Astley It will let you down and make you cry.
@wako
I like your Rover in your pic. I call all dogs Rover, because its the best dog name of all time. Rover will never let you down, and neither will I.
@Rick Astley I agree. I can even type without seen on my 8520 and make almost no typos...and these things are VERY rugged (to say mine has survived almost a year already is quite a feat!!)
@Rick Astley But will it make us cry?
A webkit browser with a Cortex A8 would be able to put this into the usable realm and into 2009 as a OS. Very excited to see RIM making moves forward.
@JXCGunrunna how do you know it is running a Cortex A8? If so, what are the specs on the A8?
@serge
I'm sorry. I meant that if it has one it would be worth it.
@JXCGunrunna - It almost definitely will have a webkit browser.
Hello?
Hello Neo...
@DeFlanko
Whoa!
i want that phone with Android on it... and a unicorn
Still really ugly. It looks like a Palm Pre gone wrong.
What's a blackberry?
Child Plz.
I'm not usually a fan of Blackberry's....but damn this thing looks hot!
Not bad. If I liked Blackberry like I used to a year ago, I would've gotten this phone. Too bad the "new trend" is to put a huge screen on it and a 1ghz processor, then slap on some awesome features. Oh well, people will still buy this phone