NOW it's a BOLD - New Photo of a BlackBerry 9020 Shows Off a Leather Battery Door!

on 28 Jul 2009 02:10 PM

We've seen plenty of photos and videos of the BlackBerry 9020, aka "onyx" to date, but despite the 9020's overall awesomeness (3G / WiFi / GPS / sleek form factor / fast processor / etc.) there has been something missing about the device. With a model number like the 9020 it has to be part of the Bold line, yet all of the 9020's that have been caught glimpsed in the wild to date have featured a plastic door. For many a BlackBerry Bold owner, the leather bling is one of the coolest features of the device and is what makes it easy to spot.

Good news for the leather (err... faux leather) lovers out there... it seems the folks at feedberry got their hands on a 9020 that features an updated battery door cover, and this one shares the Bold 9000's leather stylings. AWESOME. This particular unit still has the trackball (vs. trackpad which you can see here) but couple a leather back, trackpad and everything else we showed you previously in this review and you have one hellluva a BlackBerry. I can't wait to get one of these and get it done up by Coveroo with a metallic CrackBerry logo. Click the image above to see more photos.

Filed Under: News & Rumors;

93 Comments

Posted by Riders On The Storm Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Sexy.

Posted by y0us3f Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

why the image quality sux :O and the blackberry logo

Posted by Califilm Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

This thing needs to come out already.

Any updated release date info?

Posted by dave777 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

yeah....it's cool stuff thank you mr kevin

Posted by Brnkvc Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I could really use an update here. Is it official that the Onyx is the Driftwood w/o UMA support? Or in other words, is the Onyx going to AT&T and the Driftwood going to T-Mobile? I use t-mobile and I keep hearing news about the Onyx. Is the are the driftwood/onyx still coming in September? I need a 3g blackberry!!

Posted by bigtime2 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

so this one is not coming to t-mobile?

Posted by cigardj Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

As a student of crackberry, I have learned how to read the numbering system of BB's. This is not an exact science, but fairly close.

The 20 in 9020 means TMO, 10 in 9010 would be AT&T which are naming convention for GSM devices. For instance, if TMO or ATT had a Storm is would be 9510 or 9520, but its the 9530 for Verizon. Notice, BB Tour 9630 meaning CDMA and it shares specs with Sprint.

An exclusive device can often be labeled as 8900, 9000 or all zero's and usually means the device will have the same specs no matter the carrier.

Posted by BloodiedWraith Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Nope, you're a little off on your number definitions there.

Things have changed a little, but the original numbers represented:

xx00 - no wifi, no gps
xx10 - no wifi, gps
xx20 - wifi, gps
xx30 - CDMA

And this phone is definitely coming to AT&T, it's loaded into their systems.

Posted by Madness87 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

According to your numbering system that would mean the Bold 9000 doesn't have WiFi and GPS which it does so you are wrong right away.

Posted by BloodiedWraith Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I'm glad to see that literacy is still a weak point of the internet. If you had read my comment completely, you would've seen that I said that the original numbers represented what I wrote and that they HAVE changed. With the BlackBerry Bold 9000 and BlackBerry Curve 8900, that whole number system can be thrown out the window.

Posted by acm9782 Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

So what was the point of trying to correct cigardj with old, incorrect information? As far as I can see, cigardj's information was spot on...

Posted by Madness87 Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

WTF was the point of your original post trying to correct him if you were putting out information that is no longer useful or relevant.

Posted by BloodiedWraith Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

Because his information was never correct.

xx10 doesn't mean AT&T.
xx20 doesn't mean T-Mobile.

Posted by BloodiedWraith Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

Because his information was never correct.

xx10 doesn't mean AT&T.
xx20 doesn't mean T-Mobile.

Posted by berryg1 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I guess I'm the only one who thinks it looks hideous.

Posted by pmich Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

No..i agree

if i could turd out a blackberry..that's what it would like it

Posted by joepocky Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I'm with you. Looks like they forced some leather in there even though it doesn't quite belong.

Posted by taylortbb Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I'm in complete agreement. I love my Bold but this photo is just ugly. If they're going to do leather they need to do it right, and this isn't it.

Posted by experiment626 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

It would be nice to see one complete Onyx prototype which has everything.Oh yea,I almost forgot,WHERE IS THE DRIFTWOOD?

Posted by aimetti Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

i agree with berryg1

Posted by bigtime2 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

You dont have an opinion, you just agree with him/her?

Posted by aimetti Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

sorry if i offended you , its still ugly bud

Posted by curtispgm Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I would love a unlock code.

Posted by 1jaxstate1 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Faster processor?! Man, gotta come better than that if you want me to upgrade my current Bold!

Posted by newtoblackberries Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

i would love to get the unlock codes for my storm and tour

Posted by redwanhuq Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Looks pretty ugly to me. Like someone glued on a little bit of faux leather.

Posted by Brandon26pdx Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I can tell im going to "need" this when it drops for T-mobile. I did love my Bold.

Posted by 1jaxstate1 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Which BB was suppose to mix QWERTY with touch screen? I though that mixture would be the replacement for the Bold?

Posted by Mathrin Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

That would be the Magnum. I'm not terribly interested in touch screen and keyboard, but I can see the appeal. Would be nice to press icons instead of scroll to them, but it isn't like i'm wasting that much time zipping through the icons with the trackball as it is.

Posted by 1jaxstate1 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

But if the Onxy will be the Bold upgrade, where does that leave the Magnum. 91XX?

Posted by mush10 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Everything is the a variant of the same. Still the premier business tool, but I want more these days.

Posted by 1jaxstate1 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

In the review it said that this was the first "No Compromise" Blackberry. Seems like a beefed up bold with a trackpad. What feature does it have that's not present in the Bold?

Posted by Mathrin Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Not so much that it doesn't have, but that what isn't lacking. Higher screen resolution, more memory, faster processor, better camera with auto focus, trackpad, etc. You don't have to compromise between phones.

Think about it, the current argument is basically between the 8900 and the 9000.

Do you want the faster processor and 3G or do you want the better camera and more memory?

This phone you don't have to compromise because you get the best of what is out.

Posted by Stang68 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Just get the Tour. Better network, as well.

Posted by Mathrin Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Not a better network from what I have seen and you're stuck with CDMA phones? No thank you.

Posted by ClassaN0va Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Yeah, that's quite ugly.

Posted by Saleen4971 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

!!!!!!!

Posted by Raptor464 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

OK....I am officially getting this phone now.

Posted by xplode Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Im assuming its a black battery cover.. looks brownish from the image.

Posted by BloodiedWraith Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

The phone is listed as charcoal in the AT&T system.

Posted by abolds4397 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I really hope that the Onyx is comming to T-Mobile. The 3G Blackberry's have made it around except for ATT, T-Mobile. That will definitely be my next Blackberry. My 8320 has served me very well though. Having the trackpad would be great!

Posted by Bla1ze Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Looks ugly imo...that back is not what I want..rest of the device is hot though.

Posted by thekC Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

wow, a leather cover. stop the presses.

Posted by 1jaxstate1 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Who am I kiddin. I'll get one.

Posted by Stang68 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Every time I see the Onyx, it gets uglier and uglier. Stop it, RIM.

Posted by JangoFat Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Sorry but IMO

UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Posted by NowayJoser Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

uglyyy

Posted by vx1 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

well there have been so many posts on this unit, and no one really knows here the final unit will end up. Honestly if I were designing this - and placing it in the bold line up, I might stray from the leather back - seeing how this is smaller and the presence of visuals effect is not as prevalent as 9000

bigger unit leather looks good

smaller , not so noticeable.

I might work on stability of s/w GUI experience it has to be free flowing and stupid proof, think as a lazy person does the do not want to work to hard to get what they are after

hardware design in the area of drop test and modern style ahead of the market

and check and re check all buttons make sure they are of best quality as well as key board and each and every part since BB users have been known to take these units apart and put them back together

allow for that and make sure the parts do not degrade as a result of it

blackberry users have been known to want to customize their handhelds

so I would ensure that the hardware could withstand the customization

Posted by cvaria Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

just really bad lighting. i'd like that type of battery cover to replace this loose omnipresent tour cover i have. i need to make the jump to gsm, i'm tired of having to to pick from wack phones and throwbacks. the tour was out of date when it launched. no wifi? huh?

anyway, the feedberry picture show a trackball not a pad... but i didn't read the article.

Posted by paulsterberry Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

looks like the tour.

Posted by jackNberry Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

For almost 9 month I have uesd a Bold and finally didn't switch the device beacuse off the leather look which I never really liked.
I like the look of the BB Tour especially the verizon's version. After the first review I began to hope that the onyx would be an almost black colored "Tour" with Wifi and HSDPA for us hear in Europe.
Great would be if RIM offered different battery doors: leather look; rubberited like the tour...
We'll see :-D

Posted by graymulligan Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

...no diamonds? no chrome?

Throwing leather on the back doesn't make it cool, it makes it ugly.

Posted by godofdeath Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

wtf leather sucks
it should be used in the bedroom only and on clothes

Posted by bcheung Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

a brown blackberry? that makes no sense! it looks like that cuz of bad lighting.

Posted by jeniferlynne Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

im not sure how i feel about the leather, but i cant wait for the phone

Posted by zelt000 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

ugh gross. please dont let the driftwood look like that.

Posted by marc34 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

not feeling the leather either. The device looks so sleek and then to put textured leather on it takes away from that

Posted by eazid Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I really wish that this was going to VZW.

Posted by Madness87 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I got my Bold like 3 months back and thought I would forgo the Onyx because it wasn't really like the Bold, but now with the leather backing, it's going to be real hard to pass this device up. Here's hoping the Magnum has some similar stylings.

Posted by flooringspot Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Looks pretty durable... I always drop my phones on the Hardwood Flooring. Its like it just slips out of my hand. Hope this one can handle a few drops. Only gravity will tell.

Posted by rbritton Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I could use one pleeease!!

Posted by WhoolioPreludee Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Don't care too much about leather, even faux leather ;leather makes for sweaty hands

Posted by WhoolioPreludee Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Damn that bezel is fucking awesome. Light up trackball bezel. I would not mind seeing a light up bezel on the 85xx trackpad. Also what would me it even sexier (I don't like chrome) would be really dark chrome edges with almost a shiny dark brown hue. Like shiny dark titanium . Now that would be just sexy to the 1000th power

Posted by BondOO7 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I hate the Leather Back on my BOLD, if they are going to stick with this as per the picture...
Then I am NOT upgrading my device....

I actually prefered the previsous leaked pictures with the metalic(?) + plastic cover look from the following link:

http://crackberry.com/blackberry-onyx-review

Well,
3.2 MP camera, Faster processor, More memory (256),
and IF it comes with the TrackPad - YES, then I want this.
But definitely that ugly looking fake leather cover is a REAL TURN OFF !!! - This might be the deal breaker for me!!

I hope ONYX comes with the choice for us to select which cover we want rather than pushing this on us.

BB - Please give us a choice.

Posted by joslyn2191 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

This is so ugly!

Posted by crackberryhead Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I click on the picture and up pops an article thats written in jibberish....wth?!?! WooooooooooHoooooooooooo Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Posted by Barack-Berry Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

not a fan

Posted by andrewcjduong Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

umm... why is there a trackball..?

Posted by Allegretto Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

...Oh gross :( I really rally hope there's an option for a different door because that's just fug squared.

Posted by FireWarrior Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

kevin has horrible tastes

Posted by mortys11 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

look at the side shot...

too many parts and all different material, fit and finish is sub par.

this look like a let down

Posted by augiedoggie Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

Come on T-Mobile, we need to get this phone....

Posted by mbs Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

The BlackBerry with everything... but you have to run it on AT&T. Which means everything except actual phone calls. Or data.

Posted by orimental Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I was thinking about getting a refurb Bold since they were in stock when I checked this afternoon, but I decided to wait for the sleeker Onyx.

Posted by allure08 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

i like it!

Posted by Bllove58 Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I wish Sprint would get the Bold. It's a great phone. I just don't like ATT data plans.

Posted by maroot Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

The bottom of the back is splochy (where the back release latch is suppose to be). How do you open the frikin thing?? A side latch or snap on/off back??

I don't know about this.......

Posted by maroot Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 1031 days ago

I just finished looking at the feedberry.com site (it was terribly slowwwwwwww). No pictures of the back latch release or charge contacts.

Is this a new Blackberry design? Is RIM relocating the back latch and battery charge contacts??

Photos look like the Curve/Bold/Tour body style. I don't think RIM would relocate the back latch and charge contacts for this one new 9020 model.

I could be wrong though.....

Posted by six4seven Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

That is fuckin ugly! It looks like it came from the dollar store. I doubt that this is the final battery cover for the 9020.

Posted by isabella345 Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

Really nice model..

Build a Backyard Chicken Coop

Posted by noxdiurna Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

It looks kinda vertically streched compared to my Bold.

Posted by TiTiRi Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

this BB includes everything I was waiting for!!!
well done RIM :)

Posted by delishaz Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

it will have to come really good for me to upgrade from my bold, looks good though.

Posted by banderberg Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

That's fugly.

Posted by Sara_cakes Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

I like the leather back of the Bold but I know when something looks ugly to my eye and I am not liking this.

I'd rather they keep it full leather like the bold, or just NOT HAVE IT.

Because the front is already so sexy.

Posted by jasons239 Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1031 days ago

I really hope they are not key sharing on the other side of this picture. If I want a keypad with shared keys, I'd go get the Flip.

Posted by FooLsKi Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1030 days ago

I guess I should've watched the vids, 'cause the 9020 I've had the luck of playing with already had this 'leather' battery cover :)

Posted by BondOO7 Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1030 days ago

Yuk !!........ That leather back is REALLY UGLY!

Come on BB, you pack all the features everyone wants and then ended up putting the Back cover that is SOOOOOOOOO UGGGLLLLLLLYYYYYYY ....??

You can do better than that (?)...............

Posted by Navan Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1030 days ago

I can't wait till Rogers gets these in...my 8310 is dieing quickly and I refuse to update to anything that doesn't have 3G/Wifi/GPS/really great camera.

Posted by Navan Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 1030 days ago

I can't wait till Rogers gets these in...my 8310 is dieing quickly and I refuse to update to anything that doesn't have 3G/Wifi/GPS/really great camera.

Posted by Net-Wizard Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 1030 days ago

The page at the link has gone?

Posted by tory_237 Tuesday, Aug 04, 2009 1024 days ago

ugh, i loved the onyx till it got the trackpad and now its got the leather back.. im not getting it anymore /:

Posted by Magnate Tuesday, Aug 11, 2009 1017 days ago

That looks bloody awful.