Report: RIM Preps CDMA/GSM BlackBerry 8830

Fri Apr 6, 2007 4:04PM EDT

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Looks like RIM is cranking out smartphones at a rapid clip these days. Hot on the heels of the BlackBerry 8800 with its QWERTY keypad and cool trackball comes word of the 8830, a new variation of the 8800 that works on both CDMA and GSM cell networks.

PhoneArena managed to find some details and high-resolution shots of the long-rumored phone, which looks like a silver-gray version of the 8800, complete with that phone's full QWERTY keypad and trackball. However, there are a couple of key differences. First, the 8830 is set to work on EV-DO networks, giving it the 3G data access that the EDGE-only 8800 sorely lacks. Also intriguing is the 8830's supposed ability to make voice and data calls on GSM networks as well as CDMA, meaning you should be able to use the 8830 practically anywhere in the world. Not many CDMA/GSM phones hitting the U.S. market these days (Samsung's recent IP-830W smartphone on Sprint being a rare example), and if the rumors are true, the 8830 will mark the first CDMA/GSM BlackBerry I've seen.

Other than the 8830's dual-mode abilities, the phone will probably come with a fairly standard set of features, including a QVGA display and a slot for microSD memory cards, although you won't find a camera (which was also missing on the 8800). It's a safe bet the 8830 will arrive on Verizon Wireless given the logos on the PhoneArena shots, but the carrier is keeping mum for now.

Comments on Report: RIM Preps CDMA/GSM BlackBerry 8830

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  • 1 Posted by kris_0287 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    if they're making a better version of the 8800, why not include a camera? i think that it's the only thing missing.

  • 2 Posted by gladiatornavi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    phone without a camera nowadays look like a dream of 18th century. why they are not including camera in such a nice phone

  • 3 Posted by ytech_patterson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well, one reason is that many corporate offices don't let you bring cameraphones to the office; same with some government facilities, such as courtrooms. That's why many professionals (and BlackBerrys are typically aimed at the corporate market) actually perfer phones without cameras. That said, a version of the 8830 with a camera would be a nice touch.

  • 4 Posted by cauamkali on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Ytech_patterson was right! When I talked to our IT, they said that per corporate's policy; they (IT) would not support or buy any phones that has built-in camera.

  • 5 Posted by kainbrk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    how about a choice one with a camera and one without

  • 6 Posted by soliscooperson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    no camera is an asset. for business use we cannot have camera in most places attorneys have to go, court, govt buildings etc. this was well thought out and it is a great hand held computer. runs business software, something apple will not do.

  • 7 Posted by raff39 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    blackberry's are currently aimed at business...for RIM to build a version with and without would be a waste on the ones with as 90% of them would not be bought. As a cell phone user for 10-12 yrs, I can say I did not want a BB until the boss told me I had to get one. Granted I love the 8830, my previous phone was more expandable and fun to use.

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