Hands-on: BlackBerry Curve 9220

BlackBerry Curve 9220:


ORLANDO, US--Just announced last month, the BlackBerry Curve 9220 is a follow-up to the entry-level Curve 8520.


The most recent addition to the BB 7 family is also the cheapest at launch. Priced at around US$215, the 2G-only handset is positioned at developing markets such as India and Indonesia--countries where the Curve 8520 has experienced much commercial success.


The Curve 9220 follows in the traditional portrait QWERTY form factor of its predecessor. This means you'll get the famed physical keypad in an updated design. In our opinion, this look seems to be cleaner, and definitely more premium-looking compared with the Curve 8520. It is compact and lightweight, and sits comfortably in small hands.



The Curve 9220 runs on the latest BB 7.1 OS, powered by an 800MHz processor, which is an upgrade from its predecessor's 512MHz. RAM has also been bumped up from 128MB to 512MB. However, you'll get the same QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) display resolution, although, at 2.44 inches versus 2.46 inches, the newer Curve has a slightly smaller screen size.


To satisfy even the most diehard BBM addicts, RIM has added a dedicated button on the left side. However, this is customizable. On the other side of the device, you'll find the usual: A volume rocker with mute key in between and a camera shutter button. Up top, there's the 3.5mm audio jack and lock/unlock key.


An extra feature found on the Curve 9220 is the FM radio, which is excluded on higher-end BB devices. Like most other handsets with this function, you'll need to connect the bundled headset which houses the antenna to listen to the radio.

Given the popularity of the BlackBerry platform in India and Indonesia, the Curve 9220 will probably give entry-level Android handsets a good run for their money in those markets. Coupled with a cheap subscription plan and telco subsidies, the Curve handset could be available at almost no cost, making it a very attractive proposition.


This makes it ideal for those who are looking to upgrade to a smartphone from a feature phone--especially since the initial BB 10 OS devices will probably be out of reach to some users when they are released later this year.


RIM CEO Thorsten Heins has stated that the company is remaining committed to the BB 7 OS "for a while", so new users probably won't have to worry about support for their devices at least for the length of a two-year contract.