From a specs standpoint the upcoming BlackBerry Curve (codenamed apollo) may be the least exciting of the 2011 BlackBerry Smartphone lineup, but with its good looks, respectable hardware and what will likely be a low price point this device should be a HUGE seller for RIM.
Check out the 7m41s video above to see the new Curve from every angle and also get compared to the good 'ole BlackBerry Curve 8900 (note, the video is from a Vietnamese tech site - if anybody wants to translate be sure to drop it in the comments!). The new Curve doesn't have a touchscreen, but it still packs a 480 x 360 resolution display and an 800MHz processor, which basically makes it better than any other BlackBerry currently on the market. It's a little crazy to think tomorrow's lower-end / workhorse BlackBerry basically crushes our top of the line devices we are using right now.
For more photos you can jump over the the Tinh Te website. So what do you think of the new Curve? I'm personally loving the look of this one!
Source: Tinh Te via Engadget
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teamryan15 May 30, 2011 at 10:38 am
we need release dates for these other blackberrys
camera531 May 31, 2011 at 4:06 am
Give it several more months, and you just might get a release date. Maybe.
dancing-bass May 30, 2011 at 10:39 am
WOW, looks alot better then i though it would.... just when I was considering going Android too. Back to the decisions! (choices, choices)
sk8er_tor May 30, 2011 at 2:00 pm
I agree. Looks awesome. Price point, super thin and faster than any existing BB will make this a great choice.
Jimcmf May 30, 2011 at 7:29 pm
The Asians love to message using keyboards.
Looks like RIM is back in the game.
This phone looks really good.
Can't wait to get one.
SugarMouth May 30, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Really? With fixed characters? Hmmmm......
Jimcmf May 30, 2011 at 7:31 pm
What will your BBM friends say?
Don't turn against them !
sahloe May 30, 2011 at 10:49 am
No touchscreen? Fine. Needs OS7.
q649 May 30, 2011 at 10:58 am
Pretty sure it is OS7. Look at the 6.1 build number (20), this was prior to their decision to rename 6.1 to OS7.
shupor May 30, 2011 at 11:31 pm
It is OS6. You can tell from the text message icon.
FooLsKi May 31, 2011 at 7:21 am
That's just a 6.1 software on it, the release after it is OS7.
axllebeer May 31, 2011 at 6:12 pm
I was wondering the same thing. That clears up my question.
theKHMERboy May 30, 2011 at 10:49 am
look wow the curve look nice and thin and coming back with a flash again... but then again i am not a fan of their keyboard and i am stucking with a torch and maybe considering a torch 2 if it impresses me
zoomlink1 May 30, 2011 at 10:50 am
That is a good looking phone to be on the "low end" side. Its really thin.
BlackBerry.est08 May 30, 2011 at 10:51 am
It looks very good! The way he was holding it, pressing the buttons, looks like a solid handset. It's interesting to see 6.1. Does anyone know if this was before they renamed it to 7 (if they had any builds that were 6.1?) If not, perhaps we're seeing 6.1 something that could be for the 9780 and Torch.
sahloe May 30, 2011 at 11:00 am
Yeah, it looks like 6.1. Hopefully it will release with OS7. Can't really imagine any new devices coming out from here on without OS7.
louboutins May 30, 2011 at 10:54 am
I can translate since I'm Vietnamese, but there are some terms I sort of don't understand, haha. Otherwise, I understand what he's saying.
sahloe May 30, 2011 at 10:55 am
I never liked the Curve keyboard. I've always loved the Bold series keyboards with the contours and grooves on each button which make typing the easiest. The Torch 2 should impress for anyone who is a fan of the current Torch. Have you seen the video? Better resolution screen and 1.2 ghz processor make it super fast. I have the Torch myself and am very familiar with it's flaws. The new processor will definitely take care of all the lag and freeze.
pmccartney May 30, 2011 at 11:00 am
Thats a nice design. With that, it shouldn't be hard to keep current Curve owners more than happy to update and stay on board.
skelectric May 30, 2011 at 11:05 am
OK..now don't get me wrong, I am a die hard blackberry fan and always have been. So I think I have the right to say what the f!@#??? Im getting sick of defending blackberry to all of my friends and co-workers who have android or iphone. RIM needs to step up their game and pull a rabbit out of their hat or something?!? I mean its just obvious when comparing a blackberry to other phones , that they are seriously lagging behind. Maybe I'm just venting some frustration but it seems like apps and hardware are always two steps behind. The only thing that pulls me in anymore is the physical design of the phone itself!.
zeDuffMan May 30, 2011 at 12:03 pm
The Curve is a low-end device. Have you ever tried a low-end Android handset or ever seen a cheap iPhone? For people who want a cheap phone to be social, the Curve is the best.
delishaz May 30, 2011 at 1:08 pm
i think u are right, ive been defending bb with friends/co-workers too but at the end of the d day i think bb cant really compare to some of the other devices out there. i am actually going to get the nexus s, that phone is quite amazing. i am so over bb, android here i come.
imcurved May 31, 2011 at 12:59 am
I stopped defending BB long time ago. My sister, my wife, my close friend, and I all are using the Curve 8900. It's a rock solid device. Love the keyboard on the Javelin. The Bold series probably have better keyboard. I asked my sister if her next phone would be the iPhone. She said no way, she liked the BB keyboard. She is very close to pick up the Torch but I told her to wait for the Bold Touch. I asked my wife if she would like to try out the BB Touch. She said if it doesn't have the keyboard then no. My grandpa is using the Torch. He loves it. I told him not to be attached to it too much because the Torch 2 is coming soon. Ha-ha. As for myself, I've been torn between Bold Touch, Touch, and Torch 2. However, I've made up my mind now. I'm going to pick the Bold Touch. It's a done deal. No more sleep-less nights. My mother is using an Envy 2 phone. The font is way too small for her. I'm going to hook her up with a Bold Touch too. There will be five BB Bold Touch owners in my family.
SugarMouth May 30, 2011 at 11:02 pm
I agree! There just is more that can be done on an Android or iPhone because of the useful apps. When Blackberry get more developers making quality useful apps they will become competitive.
drakesaliasonline May 30, 2011 at 11:07 am
From the video preview I see above it looks like its possibly running 6.1, just look at the icon set..but yes I thought the same thing Kevin, the cheapest Blackberry in the new line can kick all the high end (soon to be obsolete) Blackberries a**'s! RIM is headed in the right direction..
drakesaliasonline May 30, 2011 at 11:08 am
From the video preview I see above it looks like its possibly running 6.1, just look at the icon set..but yes I thought the same thing Kevin, the cheapest Blackberry in the new line can kick all the high end (soon to be obsolete) Blackberries a**'s! RIM is headed in the right direction..
_StephenBB81 May 30, 2011 at 11:10 am
my 9300 will need an upgrade, and this will be a very attractive Curve!
I really like the shape at the bottom looks smoother(?) for when palming it in one hand to type.
calvinchui May 30, 2011 at 11:12 am
Shouldn't it be running on OS 7 because the icons tells me that it's running on OS 6.
AbuYazeedUK May 30, 2011 at 11:18 am
thats what i was thinking!! the icons are definitely os6
q649 May 30, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Look at the build number (20), OS 7 leaks are already at the 100 mark, this one was a very early build. Changing the icons wasn't likely a high priority at that build level.
AbuYazeedUK May 30, 2011 at 11:14 am
that looks like os6, the 6.1 icons are different!!
jnguyen2 May 30, 2011 at 11:17 am
I'm Vietnamese and he doesn't say anything interesting. Just the usual description of the hardware and some software stuff.
I like the design except the shiny plastic, I'd dirty it real quickly. I'm still wanting the Bold Touch.
imcurved May 31, 2011 at 1:02 am
I hear you. The chassis is nice-looking but since I already locked-in with the BB Bold Touch. It didn't sound that interesting to me. I didn't finish watching the whole video. Sorry TinhTe.com. Ha-ha.
big_time2 May 30, 2011 at 11:20 am
That looks like one thin blackberry. I hope other new blackberry phones are as thin as this curve.
belfastdispatcher May 30, 2011 at 11:24 am
Looks like a sleek device for those that don't want a large form factor and should be reasonable priced next to the 9900 and Torch2.
tnhrocks May 30, 2011 at 11:32 am
It would have cool if he showed how fast an 800mhz chip loads the OS.
Has anyone seen what the start up times are for the new devices? Looks good, RIM needs to get these new devices out! "Speed to market" doesn't seem to be in their vocabulary?
Intosh May 30, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Please enlighten us why RIM is "slow". Tell us how many projects are currently on-going, how many new phones, how many man-hours they've allocated on each project and for how long each project has been active. Use the numbers to prove to us RIM is slow.
It's very easy to sit in front of a computer screen, surfing the web and baselessly claim that company X is slow because they should have released product Y yesterday.
bobaloo May 30, 2011 at 4:36 pm
I'll tell you. It's an easy answer, really.
i have a storm 9530. i love it, I really do. but you know what? I'd really like some wifi on it. I'd really like to be able to install more apps on it to keep it dependable when I need it most. I'd really like to feel confident when recommending BB to my friends. Heck, I'm trying to convince my wife to get a BB, but the more I look at what is available, the more I know I'll be blamed for her disliking her new phone.
But because they ARE slow lately, all we get is announcements and leaks. My Storm will be three years old by the time a new full touch screen BB is available to me.
Now I don't have a problem waiting for it, and despite what others' opinions may be my Storm is a workhorse; but don't for a minute even think that RIM hasn't been moving slowly when it comes to providing products for certain portions of their market.
Take the new Bold, for instance. Announcement from the rooftops... and then dead air. where is the buzz? How is RIM satisfying their customer base with news of a timely device release?
bigjman May 30, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Well if you're saying RIM can't compare to other devices and you're basing that on a storm 9530 then you're the one behind and not RIM my friend. What android device was out at the time on the storm, the g1? C'mon!
jacknewp May 30, 2011 at 11:33 am
Due to better specs, will be going with either the new Bold 9900 or the Torch 2 (if the black back cover of my current Torch will fit on the back of the Torch 2 - hate the silver back!).
TIMSHULL May 30, 2011 at 11:53 am
That is one hot looking device!
kbeard26 May 30, 2011 at 12:13 pm
This phone is thin and has a nice design but I'm waiting for the monaco. Did anyone notice the guy flashed the IMEI # and BBM pin? Someone will be in trouble or perhaps it's RIM that leaks these videos!
GeorgeRussos May 30, 2011 at 12:22 pm
OMG, if they actually give the Curve users the option to manage panes and not the ones using the 9780 etc it's going to be such a fail.
AwJm May 30, 2011 at 12:38 pm
That's a feature of OS7 .. All os7 Devices will have it,.. it's the single most annoying thing about os6 .. tsk tsk . always switching panes in error .. grrr
jonsimbulan May 30, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Looking good!
delishaz May 30, 2011 at 1:10 pm
ive been a bb owner for the last 6 years and i thought i will never switch to another platform but now all i have to say is android here i come.
sk8er_tor May 30, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Ok, we understood this from your previous post. You don't need to keep repeating yourself. And since you're off to Android, I hope this was your last annoying post on here.
delishaz May 30, 2011 at 2:20 pm
ohhh shit seriously, i did not even realize this is the 2nd time i posted that. my bb must be really pissing me off. btw i hope this post want't too annoying for u.
q649 May 30, 2011 at 3:07 pm
I doubt your posts are actually bothering anyone.
It does seem odd, however, that someone would bother visiting a website based on a series of products, products that they have no interest in, and post messages about how they do not like the products.
It's the same as walking into a random home, pointing at a piece of furniture, and telling the owners that you don't like it.
Either you have no social skills, or an IQ on par with an average squirrel. Note that I say average squirrel so as to not insult the above average squirrels with higher IQ's.
delishaz May 30, 2011 at 3:49 pm
well if its not bothering u then y are u even replying to it. dude i said I've been a bb owner for 6 yrs and i visit this site like almost everyday so how can u even compare my post to your bullshit story walking into a random home..........
u make absolutely no sense, clearly u are that little squirrel & the one who is lacking IQ.
its not like i am an apple fanboy coming here and bashing products. i am a bb user/customer and if i want to share my opinion whether it be positive or negative i will do that.
sk8er_tor May 30, 2011 at 4:14 pm
GO to an Android site and troll there with the rest of your squirrel friends.
123berryaddicted May 30, 2011 at 4:21 pm
He/she is probably addicted to bbm just like the rest of us - they'll stick around. BBM all the way!! LoL
No BB Drone May 31, 2011 at 6:05 am
so much hate , such little faith.
Well atleast android phones are being released short tiem after they are announced , unlike bb, where you have to wait like a year or longer. And finally when the device lands it's an unfinished pile of crap and fail like the playbook
Jimcmf May 30, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Please don't leave us. PLEASE !
ntimothy May 30, 2011 at 1:24 pm
looks good, especially the thin design, incredible... the only thing im concerned about is the screen. dont get me wrong, the buttons integrated into the display and the curvy top looks good. the stupid thing is, it is made out of plastik, not like the preview bb curve screens, which were out of glass. now the screen might be scratched very easily.
stuffing May 30, 2011 at 1:25 pm
I think ill be able to hold out for a phone with QNX on it or the 9900 will win i just dont know
aloofkid May 30, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Ok, with three BlackBerry phone poping out with videos I'm now clueless which phone to buy, I'm a Torch user and had a Bold.
I want the 9900 as it eliminate the slide up time when typing. Yet I want the Torch 2 because of the screen size now this, the Apollo because of it's sleeeeeeeeek design.
Why BlackBerry why?!
gord888 May 30, 2011 at 1:37 pm
That's the best looking Curve to date. The low-end competition android phones probably won't be able to compete with a solid device like that.
Bla1ze May 30, 2011 at 2:48 pm
My 9780 just decided it needs to go on a diet.
sahloe May 30, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Leaked AT&T Roadmap Shows Torch 2 9810 Uwan Arriving Q2: Tweet Leaked AT&T Roadmap Shows Torch 2 9810 Uwan Arriv... http://bit.ly/iRVsBN
Eli_B May 30, 2011 at 5:00 pm
It is one sleek looking device, I must say. I hope it comes to VMUSA....
six4seven May 30, 2011 at 5:12 pm
What??? No touch-screen? No OS7??
What the hell is the point, RIM??
I'll save my money for a future, hopefully better release.
gord888 May 30, 2011 at 11:29 pm
fyi, not everyone can afford high-end phones. Even on a contract, there are a lot of folks that won't pay more than $50 for a smart phone. If you take that into consideration, I think the curve will fit the bill nicely for a lot of people.
Phil DeLong May 30, 2011 at 6:52 pm
Idk, I'm having a hard time getting excited about this, it just feels like more of what we already have.
iguinu May 30, 2011 at 7:59 pm
i thought kevin was a white guy from winnipeg, all this time he was an asian like me XD
mavricxx May 30, 2011 at 8:09 pm
If this phone can run OS7, I thnk my 9700 should be able to run it too.
gbsn May 30, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Every device that supports OS7 is coming with a system on chip that has an embedded GPU for graphic acceleration, which OS7 will use for its UI, or at least thats what the specs have told us... :)
CLCL May 30, 2011 at 8:51 pm
I remember a picture of the Blackberry Curve Apollo previously with the whole front cover in one piece! And now it comes with two parts cover, creating a line separating the screen and the keyboard...
To me it looks that much more futuristic and expensive to make it in one piece...that matters to a girl who cares about design :p
blue81to May 30, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Did it say 1,000 mah battery? That seems kind of small.
gord888 May 30, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Just rewatching the video... i guess the "curve" name makes sense because of the curvy backside. :p
MeetJoeAsian May 30, 2011 at 11:35 pm
wow...this guy is Vietnamese...I can actually understand him---for the most part...
camera531 May 31, 2011 at 4:11 am
Cool, too bad it won't release for several more months. RIM wouldn't want to do anything crazy like release SOMETHING anytime soon. After all, that might actually satisfy their customer base and raging analysts. We can't have that...
GeorgeRussos May 31, 2011 at 4:58 am
I agree. Even though I love BlackBerries, that's the truth
blackcaneaddict May 31, 2011 at 7:11 am
Looks nice. I'd never sign a contract to get a phone though.
the brother May 31, 2011 at 9:40 am
what just happened there???? I think i was hypnotized by the watches - good job on the cross-sell! so did he touch the screen or not?!?!
beamolite May 31, 2011 at 12:24 pm
I don't see any charging contacts. I hope RIM isn't eliminating that feature.
alexislgz Jun 2, 2011 at 9:57 am
im soooooo in lovce with this berry!!!!! im a curve 8520 use and ive been waiting for a device like this to hit the market!!!!! it looks really cute! and sleek!! and IT HAS FLASH AGAIN!!!!!!! and of courseÇ! it will have os7 on it! i mean hello!!!! it has an 800mhz processor and all new bbs will have os 7! sooo!! this will have it! i just hope they release it this summer because my contract ends in agoust, but if not i will have to keep this bb on a prepaid plan to do the jump when this comes out!!!!!!
Gamesdmc3 Jun 4, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Nice and small,alot of females will pick it up