Research In Motion has been going strong on costly BlackBerry handsets for quite sometime, but today it has announced the launch of BlackBerry Curve 9220, the latest and the most economical OS 7 based BlackBerry available till date. With a Rs 10,000 price tag, this smartphone targets the youth with its dynamic design and much more responsive and faster performance. So we got to experience the new smartphone first hand during the launch of the device in Delhi yesterday. Here’s what the Curve 9220 is like:
Since the inception of BlackBerry OS 6, Research In Motion has been quite conscious about the slimness and design of its smartphones. What was started by the BlackBerry Bold 9900 carries on to the Curve series devices, which are being launched now, and the Curve 9220 is no different.
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Although the device is similar to its predecessor, Curve 8520, in terms of length and breadth, BlackBerry has managed to take 1.2 mm in thickness and 4 grams of weight off the device, despite the fact that the new Curve 9220 has a bigger battery pack as well. The body is made of plastic with a piano finish that looks good but is a fingerprint and smudge magnet. There is a rubber trimming around the device that helps grip the phone.
Curve 9220 has a 2.44 inch TFT LCD display with 320 x 240 pixel resolution, and as compared to its predecessor the display’s higher brightness and contrast levels make visuals better. Curve 9220 has great multimedia capabilities, but misses out on the multimedia short-cut keys featured on the Curve 8520. The standard 3.5 mm audio port and Micro USB port ensure easy connectivity with most other devices and with earplugs for some good tunes.
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The device is powered by BlackBerry’s newest and the faster operating system BlackBerry 7 OS, running in version 7.1 on a single core Processor that we believe has a 600 MHz plus clockspeed. The device is fast, with the new and refined OS, along with 512 MB of RAM that further compliments quicker task execution. However, more information and some final notes will only be delivered with a more detailed review of this device later on. This phone comes with 512 MB of RAM, 512 MB ROM, and an option to expand memory up to 32 GB via a micro SD card; good for those who crave more storage.
Curve 9220 gets a 2 megapixel, fixed focus camera without flash, which is same as the camera featured on the 8520. The device can record videos as well but in VGA mode only. Images taken by the device are good but low light is still a big hurdle. BlackBerry Curve 9220 is the first BlackBerry to feature a stereo FM tuner and users will certainly like it too.
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The keypad and track pad have both been upgraded and improved and the keys now offer better feedback and require less effort to get the work done. The keys have been made smaller but are spaced out well for speedy, more comfortable operation. The track pad is similar to the one featured on newer devices and is highly sensitive as well, thus improving navigation multifold as compared to the 8520.
Although there is much to say about the device, for that you will have to wait till we do a comprehensive review really soon. Stay tuned.