RIM has been busy cooking up some awesome and slick looking devices lately. The last few days, we saw the 8520 make its way around the Web. This weekend, CrackBerry unleashed pictures of a new device with the code name Onyx, and it looks remarkably similar to the 8900. So far, from my experience, I say the 8900 has been one of the best designed BlackBerry models ever, and from the looks of this device, it is more like a beefed up 8900. BGR is leaning on the device name being Driftwood. Whatever the name, it sure has caught my attention.
Some specs informed by BGR include:
- AWS 1700MHz + 2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA
- 3.2 megapixel auto focus camera
- GPS
- Wi-Fi
- QWERTY keyboard
- Optical trackpad
- 480×360 screen
- Carbon fiber-esque back battery cover (the whole back is a carbon fiber pattern apparently)
- Much sexier than the BlackBerry 8900
The keypad looks more like the one on the Bold or the unreleased 96xx series. I am sure more details will surface now that this has made its way into the public, so keep them coming. We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you are an 8900 owner and you just signed a two-year agreement, would you still buy it? The rumored release date is around September, but that is hard to believe since most devices release dates have been delayed, like the Bold on At&T. But T-Mobile has been releasing some nice devices lately, so I am hoping the rumors are correct.
mrjcarter Not Registered
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 9:30 AM EST from my BlackBerry 8330
I thought it had an optical trackpad?
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 9:52 AM EST from my BlackBerry 8900
That was the 8520 which is a low end BB rumored to be out in July through Wal-mart carrier T-Mobile this one is a bit more like 8900
Kyle Not Registered
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 11:51 AM EST
it WILL have an optical trackpad. the pictured version just doesn’t have it yet. READ if you need proof – http://crackberry.com/first-look-blackberry-onyx-spotted-wild .
Ash Not Registered
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 10:18 AM EST from my BlackBerry 9000
I don’t get it. All the new phones have VERY similar looks and specs with the same OS and we are supposed to be excited ? Why ?
Queen4111 Not Registered
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 10:51 AM EST
I would love to get this, but there is NO 3G service in my area.
Lok Not Registered
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 11:10 AM EST
My biggest complaint on the 8900 is the placement of the charging port. If I want to reply to an email/text while the phone is charging, I have to unplug it to type at my typical speeds. The 83xx’s charging port location was perfect! Please RIM, read this and fix that error
And as Queen4111 said, T-Mo’s relaxes 3G blitz seems to have left the Raleigh/Durham area w/o 3G through 2010. I’m pretty tired of waiting, so I’ll probably be heading to VZW soon.
Nikolaus Not Registered
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 11:22 AM EST
I also agree the charging/data port location is dumb, but also the headphone jack is really annoying on the opposite side from where it was on the 8320.
Nikolaus Not Registered
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 11:27 AM EST
Man I’m so annoyed! I just started a new two year contract with T-Mo so I could upgrade to the 8900 from 8320. Maybe I should have waited…. I doubt I’ll be able to get this slick berry as soon as I’d like then…
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 12:09 PM EST from my BlackBerry 8900
Yeah same here. At first I got annoyed by the changed of the headjack and the charging port but I got used to it.
T-mobile does lack in that it is not up to speed with their 3G and with the way the econnomy is, idoubt it will be speeding up the roll outs of 3G.
evermore707 Not Registered
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 1:12 PM EST
How could this be 1st 3g when VZW has had 3g BB’s for some time now..
Luis Merlos ( View Profile) Moderator - Posts: 1231
Posted: May 11, 2009 at 1:22 PM EST
Good point, It was meant to say t-mobiles first 3G blackberry.