What is the BlackBerry R47 (9980)? We don't know, but we have a video!

By Michelle Haag on 10 Sep 2011 03:07 pm

A mystery BlackBerry has been popping up around the internet the past week or so, including a whole slew of pictures we posted up yesterday. We still don't know what exactly this crazy looking device is, but BerryCN is referring to it as a BlackBerry Bold R47 (9980), and claims it has basically all the same internals as the BlackBerry Bold 9900, including BB7 (the video shows v7.0.0.368), wifi, 3G, NFC, and a 5-megapixel camera. Sorry, still no autofocus folks.

BerryCN is calling it a "limited edition luxury model" (at least according to Google Translate), so this begs the question - Is this device going to actually be produced? If it is, would you buy one, and if so how much would you be willing to pay for a limited edition such as this? Thanks for the tip Robertyhn!

Source: BerryCN

Topics: BlackBerry Bold 9980 BlackBerry Bold R47 News & Rumors Devices

Michelle Haag 1142 (articles) 1620 (forum posts)

95 comments

fresh77 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:10 pm

1st?

dasDestruktion Sep 10, 2011 at 3:41 pm

The 7.0.0.358 OS has been detection previously but not much device information available. Weird. Hopefully CB doesn't eat the link below:

handsetdetection.com/properties/tags/RIM/generic/RIM%20OS/7.0.0.368

y0us3f Sep 10, 2011 at 6:29 pm

I think it's just a bold 9900 with a custom made body.

Jonathank Aug 15, 2012 at 12:17 am

I Agree with you

JimmyBX Sep 10, 2011 at 3:11 pm

Looks cool..Definitely different.

aNYthing24 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:13 pm

Yuck. Didn't Berryreview leak pictures of this before?

rafiks Sep 10, 2011 at 3:33 pm

yeah, I thought I saw this already like months ago . . looks fugly to me.

lengend Sep 10, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Limited edition...no thanks. The 9900 is my kind of style.

forsakenwaste5 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:14 pm

pretty!

forsakenwaste5 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:14 pm

pretty!

luqman24 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Uhh...I don't know what to say, I'm speechless o.O

Yousif Abdullah Sep 10, 2011 at 3:15 pm

Interesting keyboard design. Wonder whether it's better than the current Curve or Bold keyboard, but the whole handset still looks a bit clunky for lack of a better word. Looks like a Peek, too! PeekBerry anyone?

~Yousif

Frank2029 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:20 pm

Didn't they just build a manufacturing plant somewhere in Asia? Maybe this is a product to cater to the Asian market? It looks more like their style

WHO KNOWS!

MsBrittz1016 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:20 pm

This thing is Fugly!!!

oldtimeBBaddict Sep 10, 2011 at 3:22 pm

Would I buy that? In a word, NO!

big_time2 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Comment of the day.

diegonei Sep 10, 2011 at 7:18 pm

Amen to that...

Bla1ze Sep 10, 2011 at 3:23 pm

Porche

smartbuddy Sep 10, 2011 at 3:24 pm

Perhaps if they price this "limited edition" 9900 half the price of the Bold Touch 9900 people may buy it !

maam Sep 10, 2011 at 3:40 pm

I would probably buy it lol
I wouldn't mind a "luxury" blackberry:)

robertdusa Sep 10, 2011 at 3:25 pm

Burn it with fire!

axllebeer Sep 11, 2011 at 10:33 am

ya know, a lot of people type "lol" out of habit. But that actually made me "laugh out loud" haha.

Oh yeah, and it's fugly no doubt.

thepinkcurve Sep 11, 2011 at 5:32 pm

I may have a 9300 in pink but that thing is so ugly we should burn it with fire, yay!!! Good idea!

the_champ_295 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:25 pm

im always one for limited editions, but i think id have to hold this in my hand before i decided yea or nay

bighoward305 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:25 pm

To each his own....9930 baby!

SaltySnack Sep 10, 2011 at 3:29 pm

Nope! Looks like a tank and its not very nice looking! Loyalty only goes so far :-P

big_time2 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:53 pm

My loyalty would be gone if this device ever went on sale. I hope this is not what QNX phones will look like.

Vanti Sep 10, 2011 at 4:48 pm

My god me too.... i have been with rim and been patiently waiting for them to announce the latest and greatest and if this is the qnx style count me out....

If it was a transformer it'd transform into a turd

luiggi2710 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:30 pm

that's chinese crap!

kevin.mcca Sep 10, 2011 at 4:38 pm

sir.dangerfield Sep 10, 2011 at 3:30 pm

I feel like that is a prototype 9930 hiding in a vague cover. all the ports match, the screen seems to be the same, obviously OS 7, the back even looks like a more simple 9930 to me.

gord888 Sep 10, 2011 at 4:42 pm

+1 i hope that it is just a housing for a 9900... because it doesnt really follow the usual bb stylings - more like an older nokia look.

Joel_Zimmerman Sep 11, 2011 at 12:10 am

That's what I thought, but the keyboard's form factor is missing in this phone. They keys seem flatter, despite the shallow 'raised' steps on each key and are straight from left to right, not in a traditional bowl shape as the rest of the line-up.

emirozmen Sep 10, 2011 at 3:31 pm

Ugly looking

ifte Sep 11, 2011 at 12:02 am

What is so ugly about it?

marty_davidoff Sep 10, 2011 at 3:33 pm

It's nice looking device though... As long it's Blackberry...

3migo Sep 10, 2011 at 3:34 pm

I would never buy one of those. It's ugly as hell.

TeaBoy Sep 10, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Limited edition? same function but different shell.. its like buying a shell lambo with prius engine and interiors.

No i will not pay more for a limted edition phone.. a phone is a phone.. every 2 year i change my phone

312 Sep 10, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Your analogy makes no sense. It's more like buying a LP 670-4 Versace edition vs. buying a standard LP 670-4.

fabfreddie Sep 10, 2011 at 3:35 pm

Ok, the looks are bizarre for Blackberry, but I kinda like it to be honest, but Jesus H Christ, does that OS move like lightning or what? It has a huge screen and records in 1080P, more steps in the right direction! Now, HDMI out and front facing camera and this bad boy would be damn near perfect. Oh and available in red, black and white is mandatory. ;)

Vanti Sep 10, 2011 at 4:50 pm

+1 Dammit i want an all White 9930!!!!! tired of waiting for 1

AlphaColbalt95 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:37 pm

Limited edition maybe, Luxury model No!

jonno_atamaniuk Sep 10, 2011 at 3:37 pm

I'd pass personally, but I'm almost willing to say I think that's a legitimate blackberry. The Blackberry OS is pretty tough to copy, and unless someone managed to port it onto a KIRF device, it's pretty unique to Blackberry devices. That said, if you guys think about it, it's sort of reminiscent of some of the older Blackberry devices from 3-4 years ago.

Tbonist Sep 10, 2011 at 3:39 pm

Does it actually have a Trackpad?

VictorLikesCookies Sep 10, 2011 at 3:43 pm

I hope RIM doesn't start making phones like this. I might have to leave the BB world if it does.

Mr.Softberry Sep 10, 2011 at 4:03 pm

ladeberry Sep 10, 2011 at 3:52 pm

not so ugly ......

DaBear5 Sep 10, 2011 at 3:58 pm

wow...that is SO ugly

my.usernamegoeshere Sep 10, 2011 at 3:59 pm

This might be some kind of early engineering sample or it's targeting a VERY specific market, anyways I'll never change my 9930 for a phone as ugly as that.

Did I say I'm in love with my 9930?

Mr.Softberry Sep 10, 2011 at 4:02 pm

Yuk. I wouldn't buy that phone: it's ugly. I only like its back

cjristopher1608 Sep 10, 2011 at 4:04 pm

Why are people so dumb????just because they create a new HOUSING with dont mean its a diferent model its still a 9900/30 and the OS every phone company can do one the v7.0.0.368 maybe have minor change but it doesnt mean its a from QNX or is a new model..the "9980" have exactly the same key position..i think its a BB9900 with a unique housing

vx1 Sep 10, 2011 at 4:09 pm

nope I don't like it. Bad Design .. ugly

DannyAves Sep 10, 2011 at 4:23 pm

It's "different"...but I think the screen looks larger

MarcusX5 Sep 10, 2011 at 4:31 pm

Ugly!!!! and it looks some kind of Dollar store phone , RIM will go out business if they release this phone

ifte Sep 11, 2011 at 12:04 am

You are dead wrong ! RIM actually should come up with design like this to do well.

mister_turtle Sep 10, 2011 at 4:34 pm

Nope. Don't like it . And I do not want it.

Kevin Michaluk Sep 10, 2011 at 4:39 pm

Apparently the codename is BlackBerry "Knight" and there's quite a few floating around... so not surprising to see one leak into the wild. Bold 9900 in different clothing. Kind of doubt it'll get made. Don't see why it would. Maybe just experimenting to have fun... there's no way the keyboard could be as good!

gregerator Sep 10, 2011 at 4:46 pm

As in Knight Rider! Super retro. Especially if it talks to you!

jon4400 Sep 10, 2011 at 4:41 pm

That's not even a prototype, that's one of the rejected spermatozoon. This thing will never see the light of day, it is too fugly to be part of the Bold line. BOLD 9900/30 all the waaaaayyy !!!!!!

Vanti Sep 10, 2011 at 4:44 pm

I originally posted that this device looks foul and i still stand by that but is it just me or does it look a little bit better in the video than it did in the pic's yesterday.... i wouldn't get one but hmm has me thinking

netnative Sep 10, 2011 at 4:44 pm

The keyboard's design is terrible...

timmartin Sep 10, 2011 at 4:47 pm

The Chinese are masters at copying and cloning, although this is quite a different take on design - very industrial, does not look very comfortable to use or hold.I am sure it wont be long till RIM get on to this and have it pulled.

timmartin Sep 10, 2011 at 4:48 pm

rais.aslam Sep 10, 2011 at 4:49 pm

I think it just a prototype to test 9900 functionality.. look at name Bold R47, maybe stand for "Bold Ready For BlackBerry7". :)

BGK Sep 10, 2011 at 5:13 pm

It looks clunky and where's the trackpad ?

jeffs99 Sep 10, 2011 at 5:13 pm

Like life in general, people talk bad about things that can't have.

ifte Sep 10, 2011 at 11:59 pm

You spoke my mind jeffs99. I am very surprised to see all the negative comments! RIM needs this kind of elegant design. There is a huge segment of people who would buy this even if it is little on the expensive side. This is a very attractive looking BB.

kojita Sep 10, 2011 at 5:14 pm

custom housing...

rollingrock1988 Sep 10, 2011 at 5:21 pm

It looks wider the the 9900/30.

Also here's a thought: If it's called blackberry knight, could it be a test device to that integrates os7 and QNX. Much like the "there can only be one" theme from highlander, which is there project name as well.

Maybe they haven't changed the skin, they are testin the form factor and the new kernel.

On another note, BB is known for their keyboard. This keyboard is flat and doesn't have the curve that the rest of their lines do. Wouldn't this negate the entire reason of why their keyboard is so amazing?

firsttimecaller Sep 10, 2011 at 5:30 pm

Its made specifically to work on the Chinese telecom. not for US.

rinkashimi Sep 10, 2011 at 5:38 pm

hell noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

mpopov Sep 10, 2011 at 6:03 pm

I would pay $50 above the 9900 for this marvel.

hjmargarido Sep 10, 2011 at 6:56 pm

curious is the fact that he have a 9860 in the table behind...

DCAce Sep 10, 2011 at 7:13 pm

I may have missed it, but I didn't see any actual use of the keyboard, just the touchscreen. That seems odd.

siddo_d Sep 10, 2011 at 7:51 pm

That is so ugly.

siddo_d Sep 10, 2011 at 7:52 pm

That is so ugly. Blackberry needs to stick to original designs

wmwm571 Sep 10, 2011 at 8:29 pm

It‘s just a imitation.The gays in the video said.You should learn some Chinese.

grimreaper420 Sep 10, 2011 at 8:39 pm

Ugly looking phone and honestly if this is ever released to the public bad move RIM.
Sorry. No and nope and will never own it.

TomCanuck Sep 10, 2011 at 8:45 pm

if it's legit i'd prolly buy one if i could get it cheap. just to use 1 day for lols.... but that's it

Joel_Zimmerman Sep 10, 2011 at 9:37 pm

It looks fairly okay to me… but if the price is about ~£2,000, I expect that stainless steel band to be some sort of platinum alloy as well as the keys. OH, a MANUAL equaliser for music would be nice too ^^

jfs101 Sep 10, 2011 at 10:10 pm

Dear lord, I just saw a BB through the eyes of an Android or iOS user!!!

radlink14 Sep 10, 2011 at 10:15 pm

The design of this phone is so unique. I would totally buy this over the 9900! Hope it really comes out and is HSPA+ for t-mobile! Im drooling. Not all of us have boring taste!!! ;)

tboy0730 Sep 10, 2011 at 10:24 pm

i think its just a 9900 with a different body. all the essential port are on the same place. they are calling it limited just to sell it on a much higher price. like come on. if porche is to design a phone it would really look different and feel more luxury. :)

4abetterworld Sep 10, 2011 at 10:28 pm

I think it's pretty cool - hey why not try a crazy new design, even if it might be ugly to some, There are others who would love it, a younger generation perhaps?

Remember when the iPhone 4 came out, it didn't receive a lot of praise for it's looks, but now everyone loves it.

Not being willing to try anything new is what really will kill RIM. Good for them on being willing to change.

dancing-bass Sep 10, 2011 at 11:17 pm

I dunno. Looks like something you'd see on the set of Star Trek TNG or something. (Yes, I used to be a big fan). Whatever you call it, I probably wouldn't buy it, unless the "hands on" experience totally changed my mind. But based on looks alone.... no.

El Platanero Sep 10, 2011 at 11:41 pm

It was pretty fast looking. looked like playbook speed. I think RIM has a tendency to come out with an weird looking prototype before they come out with the actual phone. Looks are pretty bad but performance looked unmatched.

ifte Sep 10, 2011 at 11:52 pm

I LOVE THE DESIGN !!!. Finally an elegant looking BB. I would gladly play $600 CDN/USD for it. RIM might want to consider putting a front facing camera though. Kudos to the design team.

Those who doesn't like it: aren't you tired of seeing a same looking BB being refreshed 5% every year over last 6 years? 8300, 8310, 9300, 9330, 9650, 9000, 9700, 9780, 9900, 9930...? Looks matter guys. Bring it on RIM. THIS IS THE BEST DESIGNED BB EVER.

Joel_Zimmerman Sep 11, 2011 at 12:10 am

What a fugly piece of engineering. "Oh, but I must have it! Only because it is designed by PORSCHE!" Lol.

lilmicstar#cb Sep 11, 2011 at 6:49 am

Nope not for me ,

I'm still waiting on that 9790 :)

andresf13 Sep 11, 2011 at 7:24 am

its just the bold 9900 with another housing, the buttons, ports, charger connector, camera and flash perfectly match with it.. and the camara have continuous focus like the bold 9900. just someone make a housing and put it on the bb bold 9900.

4speed Sep 11, 2011 at 11:52 am

This is solid precision engineering at it's best. Looks like it would survive a nuclear blast. Notice the black bezel all the way around, think QNX with a physical keyboard.