Official List of Devices Supporting OS 5.0

Been wondering if the BlackBerry Smartphone you already own will be getting the OS 5.0 update everybody keeps talking about? We knew there would be a cut-off somewhere down the road of older device models and it turns out we were pretty spot on with our hunches. but now we officially know which devices are getting the update thanks to a new knowledge base article on BlackBerry's website. Keep reading to see if your device made the cut.

Supported BlackBerry Smartphones with BlackBerry Device Software 5.0

  • BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8200 series smartphones
  • BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphones
  • BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphones
  • BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphones
  • BlackBerry Bold 9000 smartphones
  • BlackBerry Storm 9500 series smartphones
  • BlackBerry Tour 9630 smartphones

So what was the ulimate kill point? Memory. According to the article:

In order to optimize the BlackBerry smartphone user experience with BlackBerry Device Software 5.0, BlackBerry smartphones must have more than 64MB of memory to support this version of BlackBerry Device Software. BlackBerry Device Software 5.0 is targeted to be supported by Research In Motion on the above noted BlackBerry smartphones. 

In the case of the BlackBerry Curve 8330, it looks like having to wait a year to get the device after the Curve was originally released paid off. The Curve 8330 has 96MB of flash memory vs. 64 in the Curve 8300, 8310, 8320. I could see it being easy to get mad if you currently are using a BlackBerry that won't get the update (especially if you recently picked up a Curve 8310/8320), but really, it just doesn't make sense to upgrade to something that'll bog your device down. At least the Bold 9700 and Storm2 are just around the corner if you're thinking it's time for an upgrade. 

** It seems the new BlackBerry Curve 8520 is missing from the list above. It will for sure get the OS 5.0 update as well - they must have left it off by accident. But once there's one mistake... who knows. **

[ Source | Via