Much like the BlackBerry Curve 8910, the BlackBerry Curve 8980 is not destined for North America. That said, it sure is an interesting device. It's basically a Bold 9700, put together with the keyboard from a BlackBery Curve. Research In Motion hasn't really been hiding this device either, the latest BlackBerry Desktop Manager 6.0 has a picture of it in the database of devices.
As you can see in the pic above, the device is headed for China Mobile and is a follow up to the BlackBerry Curve 8910 released there not all that long ago on Digital China. The specs for this one are EDGE, WiFi, 3.2MP Camera, 256MB of RAM with a display of 480x360 and GPS. Not sure about you all but, I'd rather have this device then say a BlackBerry Curve 3G. Although, releasing it here would likely cause some brand confusion. Still, be cool to get one of these just to have it. Wonder how one would cost to import? That is, once released.
Source: BerryCN.com
Reader comments
BlackBerry Curve 8980 spotted heading for China Mobile
That's cool! I would also like my bold 9700 with a curve keyboard..but wouldn't want the inferior features :/
Makes sense to create the frankenberry because they aren't wasting 3g parts on a carrier that won't do 3G.
It's a 9700 body, completely, with a different keyboard. Hmm...innovative? Yep- just like the Bold 9650...the successor to the flop Tour. The word innovation and Blackberry used to go together in the same sentence and that just is no longer true. Re-purposing the same old design over and over again is something that even a dumb consumer like me can figure out...like the upcoming Bold 9780 or whatever it is...hmm, just color the cheap plastic band black, pack in a little more memory, better camera and make it WiFi N capable and call it a "new phone"when it'll look identical to my 9700.
I'm still on the Blackberry bandwagon, but my Android is getting more and more use these days. I'm not the only one who feels that way- just Google RIM and read how their market share is eroding daily.
This is my DREAM Berry. A big screen with a Curve design keyboard. I gave up my 9700 because I hate the keyboard...Make one for me Pleaaassseeeee
Umm that isnt a curve keyboard its a 9650 keyboard, and that def is NOT a 9700 body, note the charcoal chrome edging. What was this information based off of?
Look closely at the keyboard its kind of tricky... but you can see those are the more defined keys that usually compliment the Bold, its hard to tell though without the chrome strips between each row.
Also the back looks like it may be a unique build, the chrome front appears to be from a 9650 as well.
So basically its a hacked up Bold with less muscle.
Someone doesn't know their BlackBerries.
Umm that isnt a curve keyboard its a 9650 keyboard, and that def is NOT a 9700 body, note the charcoal chrome edging. What was this information based off of?
so far looks like a good looking device
Yet another phone packaged with 256mb of memory? What gives? If there is any mention of MB on the details of the BBs when it's time to upgrade, I will be looking elsewhere. Who knows how much internal memory the "sucksessor" to OS6 will chew up. Having a standard of at least 1gb would be an o.k. start.
Thats because this device is headed to China. It doesn't have as much memory because the device has to be cheaper to accommodate for the Chinese market. So, why would you be looking elsewhere?
You will not see that type of thing in the main lines of CDMA or GSM phones any longer.
I get that this is going to China. I have also read the specs on the Curve 3g, and the other "new" phones coming out. They are listed at 512mb and maybe 1gb. Like I said, if they want to introduce a new OS, one which will most likely use more memory, the phones put out now with 512mb are going to be left behind when the OS won't fit due to inadequate memory.
Putting just enough memory on the phone to make it function at this time is part of the problem with RIM. They are content with just coasting along, while everyone else is blowing by them. When I got my phone, I wasn't concerned about the internal memory because I saw that I could put a 32g card in it. Now that I know that the OS upgrades won't work with the existing memory, I say shame on me. I won't be repeating that mistake, if they're still shoveling out phones with 256m, 512m or even 1g, I won't even look at them, they won't be able to handle the OS upgrades.
"I'd rather have this device then say a BlackBerry Curve 3G"
+1
+1, its the niceset looking curve I've ever seen :)
I think RIM should have called it a Burve or a Cold.
That is exactly what I want! My Bold 9700 with a curve keyboard... If enough people make a comment about this maybe we'll be able to get it here one of these days.. Call it a Bold/Curve 9890 with extra memory, better camera and of course OS 6.
why wont you guys answer my tip of the 8980 pic i have?!?! ive sent it 3 times!!!
Another FranknBerry? WTF, When are we going to see some processor upgrades???? C'mon RIM get with the times!!! Its just another slow ass FranknBerry....
"Eh
By: Karmaloop | Date: Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:32
So basically they slapped an 8900 keyboard on a 9700 and took away the 3G capabilities...odd. The phones does look a lot nicer than the 9300, though."
"What the heck??? ...
By: smhotstuff | Date: Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:39
... I'll be damned if I'm going to go from my 8900 to an 8530 or a 9300. I guess anyone in America wants a decent upgrade we have no choice but the Bold?"
No doubt, absolutely agreed.
And still make me say, wow thats a sexy model of a phone.
Maybe its the tilt in the picture, but the black with red accents is hot.
smh @ myself
Interesting. Looks nice, in fact, much sexier than the new 9300. However, it lacks 3G which means it's gonna be like crawling when surfing the net and handling other data intensive applications.
the Curve keyboard. Much easier to type on for sure. Thats the only real complaint I have about it.
Does anyone know what that little chrome button is on the bottom left side is? Ive never really done much research into this strange BB.
Good question. I've a 8900 and I don't have a chrome button there. Anyone know of a possible function of the chrome button?
It's one of the two charging contacts for when you put it in a charging dock.
What the heck??? We have to move to China to get a decent curve? I'll be damned if I'm going to go from my 8900 to an 8530 or a 9300. My daughter has the 8530 & it sucks. I guess anyone in America wants a decent upgrade we have no choice but the Bold?
Funny about the 8530. I have an 8520 as a backup to my 9700 and its the worst. Not only is it a slooow phone, but its not appealing whatsoever. I think mostly because of the way its laid out along the top of the keyboard. There is no real separation in the buttons on the sides of the trackpad. Just looks clumsy. I will say though that the red buttons on the # keys on the 9650 are sharp. The one thing I'd like on my 9700.
So basically they slapped an 8900 keyboard on a 9700 and took away the 3G capabilities...odd. The phones does look a lot nicer than the 9300, though.
Are all China bound Blackberrys out of step model lines? If they are then the reason RIM goes to all of the trouble to do this is because
Of government censorship, prolly has different gps software or censoring/ device control software. Probably like "kill switch" kinda stuff. What do you guys think?
anyone know if this device will be coming to europe?
I do wonder the import costs... TMO should be all over this!!!
and i posted first!!!
Well they always get the upgrades first
Hey bla1ze, There's always eBay lol
Nice to see a true, albeit similar, successor to the 8900, but how strange for RIM to go to the trouble of producing this hybrid for one market, especially when it would surely have been easier just to release the 9700.
The reason they're releasing a 8980 instead of selling a 9700 there is probably because they're marketing it as a lower-end model and selling it for cheaper in China. It is quite logical, since people have a lower income there.
Thus, instead of lowering the price of the 9700 and bringing it to China (people outside of China would feel ripped-off), they just sell a cheaper model there.