Check out the latest and all available BlackBerry devices
ET gives you a quick overview to help you choose. And if you're willing to stray from convention, check out the alternatives.
With so many different BlackBerry devices available and new ones like the Touch Bold 9900 and PlayBook around the corner, choosing the right one can be challenging. ET gives you a quick overview to help you choose. And if you're willing to stray from convention, check out the alternatives.
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900
Expected in June - Rs 29,990 (est)
The fastest BlackBerry handset yet, the 9900 has a 1.2Ghz processor, 768MB RAM and 8GB storage (expandable via micro SD). Other specs include a 5MP camera with 720p HD video, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The QWERTY keyboard features a design reminescent of the original Bold, with large, angular key. Also present is the optical trackpad.
Just 10.5mm thick (the Bold 9780 is 14mm thick) and weighing 130 grams, the 9900 is the slimmest
BlackBerry yet. The 9900 has the all-new OS 7 with what they call the ‘liquid graphics’ interface. You also get voice-enabled universal search and an enhanced browser.
Available BlackBerry Options
Bold 9780 (Bold 3)
Price: Rs 23,490
Curve 8520
Price: Rs 9,990
The most affordable BlackBerry, has a nice screen, Wi-Fi, optical trackpad and comes in various colours. (Curve 8530 CDMA also available for Rs 14,990).
Curve 3G 9300
Price: Rs 14,990
The successor to the Curve 8520, it adds 3G and GPS capabilities into the mix. The design sits somewhere in-between the basic Curve and the Bold (with attractive metal inserts).
Pearl 9100
Price: Rs 20,990
Those looking for a more compact BlackBerry can look at the 9100. All the features of the larger handsets, but with a SureType (half QWERTY) keypad.
Pearl 9105
Price: Rs 20,990
The 9105 ditches the SureType keypad of the 9100 in favour of a standard alphanumeric phone keypad to appeal to more conservative tastes. All other features of the 9100 remain intact.
Style 9670
Price: Rs 24,990
Only available to CDMA users, the Style features a 2.4-inch internal and a 2-inch external display. The backlit QWERTY keypad and optical trackpad is retained.
Torch 9800
Price: Rs 29,990
The first BlackBerry with a touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard, the Torch is sometimes criticised for being too bulky and heavy. It runs a touch-optimised version of BlackBerry OS 6.
BlackBerry PlayBook
Expected mid June - Rs 29,990 (est)
The PlayBook has a 7-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel capacitive display. It can support four-finger multi-touch and gestures. The bezel is also touch sensitive, allowing for swiping gestures for multitasking.
The PlayBook comes with a 5MP AF rear camera and a 3MP front facing camera, both capable of recording 1080p full HD videos. It runs BlackBerry Tablet OS powered by QNX. It works best when ‘bridged’ with a BlackBerry handset for Internet access & email.
The dual core 1Ghz processor and 1GB RAM deliver impressive multitasking, HD video playback and video output via HDMI. Alongside the micro USB and micro HDMI ports is a magnetic charging port (similar to MacBooks).
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900
Expected in June - Rs 29,990 (est)
The fastest BlackBerry handset yet, the 9900 has a 1.2Ghz processor, 768MB RAM and 8GB storage (expandable via micro SD). Other specs include a 5MP camera with 720p HD video, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The QWERTY keyboard features a design reminescent of the original Bold, with large, angular key. Also present is the optical trackpad.
Just 10.5mm thick (the Bold 9780 is 14mm thick) and weighing 130 grams, the 9900 is the slimmest
BlackBerry yet. The 9900 has the all-new OS 7 with what they call the ‘liquid graphics’ interface. You also get voice-enabled universal search and an enhanced browser.
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The 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen has a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. All on-screen elements are optimised for the smaller screen. It also includes NFC or Near Field Communication (for contactless payments, when it becomes available) and built in Wi-Fi hotspot functionality to share internet with nearby devices.Available BlackBerry Options
Bold 9780 (Bold 3)
Price: Rs 23,490
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The weapon of choice for the discerning executive, the Bold 3 includes all the learnings of the previous generations in a compact and lightweight design with OS 6 and phenomenal battery life.Curve 8520
Price: Rs 9,990
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The most affordable BlackBerry, has a nice screen, Wi-Fi, optical trackpad and comes in various colours. (Curve 8530 CDMA also available for Rs 14,990).
Curve 3G 9300
Price: Rs 14,990
The successor to the Curve 8520, it adds 3G and GPS capabilities into the mix. The design sits somewhere in-between the basic Curve and the Bold (with attractive metal inserts).
Pearl 9100
Price: Rs 20,990
Those looking for a more compact BlackBerry can look at the 9100. All the features of the larger handsets, but with a SureType (half QWERTY) keypad.
Pearl 9105
Price: Rs 20,990
The 9105 ditches the SureType keypad of the 9100 in favour of a standard alphanumeric phone keypad to appeal to more conservative tastes. All other features of the 9100 remain intact.
Style 9670
Price: Rs 24,990
Only available to CDMA users, the Style features a 2.4-inch internal and a 2-inch external display. The backlit QWERTY keypad and optical trackpad is retained.
Torch 9800
Price: Rs 29,990
The first BlackBerry with a touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard, the Torch is sometimes criticised for being too bulky and heavy. It runs a touch-optimised version of BlackBerry OS 6.
BlackBerry PlayBook
Expected mid June - Rs 29,990 (est)
The PlayBook has a 7-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel capacitive display. It can support four-finger multi-touch and gestures. The bezel is also touch sensitive, allowing for swiping gestures for multitasking.
The PlayBook comes with a 5MP AF rear camera and a 3MP front facing camera, both capable of recording 1080p full HD videos. It runs BlackBerry Tablet OS powered by QNX. It works best when ‘bridged’ with a BlackBerry handset for Internet access & email.
The dual core 1Ghz processor and 1GB RAM deliver impressive multitasking, HD video playback and video output via HDMI. Alongside the micro USB and micro HDMI ports is a magnetic charging port (similar to MacBooks).
BlackBerry Alternatives
HTC Desire Z (Rs 25,000): A 3.7-inch touchscreen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard makes the Desire Z one of the best Android phones around.
Motorola Charm (Rs 10,000): The most affordable touch and type Android smartphone around, the Charm gives you top notch features on a budget.
Nokia E7 (Rs 25,500): Nokia’s flagship is descended from a long line of succesful communicators, with several E Series enhancements to boot.
Samsung Galaxy Pro (Rs 12,500): Similar in design to the Moto Charm, but the Galaxy Pro is Android 2.2, which includes Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.
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BlackBerry Plans
Prepaid:
Except MTNL, prepaid offerings across mobile operators are mostly identical for BlackBerry. There are two monthly plans to choose from, Rs 299 personal mail plan or Rs 399 Internet mail plan. The 299 plan allows access to emails and IM only. Browsing is restricted to WAP portals only as the main browser literally vanishes from the menu when subscribed to this plan.
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The 399 plan provides access to email, IM as well as unlimited Internet browsing on the phone. MTNL offers the service at Rs 499 with a pre-set download limit, after which data is chargeable at 1 paisa per 10kb. In both plans, you can configure up to 10 supported POP3/IMAP mail accounts and have unlimited chat on various popular IMs such as Gtalk, Yahoo, MSN, BlackBerry messenger. BlackBerry App World, which is BlackBerry’s application store, is also accessible for installing various apps on the move without paying anything extra. Postpaid:
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For postpaid connections, there is a lot of variation between operators. The monthly personal mail plan for access to mails and IM messenger is pegged at Rs 299 a month by Airtel, Aircel, Idea, Vodafone, Reliance and Tata Indicom. Tata Docomo offers the same for Rs 399; whereas MTNL offers it for Rs 499 with a pre-set data download limit, they charge 1 paisa per 10kb for downloads beyond the limit. For the Internet mail plans, where you can access Internet sites along with mail and IM – Airtel, Idea and Vodafone charge Rs 599 a month, Aircel takes Rs 499, Reliance charges Rs 1099, Tata Indicom asks for Rs 900, Tata Docomo sticks to Rs 399 whereas MTNL charges Rs 699. In addition to the above, Airtel also offers a plan for Rs 899, which offers an additional 2GB data limit to access Internet on computer via tethering. MTNL goes a step ahead and offers unlimited BlackBerry Internet plan on 3G speeds and charges Rs 1199 for that. Note that all postpaid plan prices are exclusive of taxes.
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