BlackBerry 8700c / 8700r / 8703e / 8707v – Detailed English Specifications
The BlackBerry 8700 series (codenamed “Electron”), launched in late 2004 (8700c/8700r) and 2005-2006 (8703e/8707v), marked RIM’s shift to high – speed data with EDGE/EV-DO/UMTS, featuring a 312MHz Intel PXA901 CPU, 2.6″ QVGA color display, QWERTY keyboard, and enterprise – grade push email, tailored for global carrier networks.
1. Core Overview (Series & Variants)
Category 8700c 8700r 8703e 8707v Launch Q4 2004 (Cingular US) Q4 2004 (Rogers Canada) Sep 2006 (CDMA US) 2005 (Vodafone EU/APAC) Codename Electron Electron CDMA Electron UMTS Electron Network Quad – band GSM 850/900/1800/1900, EDGE/GPRS Same as 8700c CDMA 800/1900, EV – DO Rev.0 Quad – band GSM + UMTS 2100, HSDPA/EDGE OS BlackBerry OS 4.1 (upgradable to 4.5) Same as 8700c Same as 8700c Same as 8700c MSRP (Launch) ~$399 ~$399 ~$449 ~$499 Color Matte Black Matte Black Matte Black Silver (Vodafone exclusive)
2. Key Hardware Specifications (Unified Core)
Display
Feature Specification Type & Size 2.6″ 65K – color TFT LCD, 320×240 (QVGA), ~154 PPI, backlit Interface Text/graphic UI, up to 26 lines of text, contrast/backlight controls
Body & Design
Feature Specification Dimensions 110×69.5×19.5 mm (4.33×2.74×0.77 in) Weight 134g (8700c/8700r/8707v); 135g (8703e) Build Plastic chassis, belt – clip holster included Input 35 – key QWERTY, 4 – way scroll wheel + select button Extras Mono loudspeaker, 2.5mm audio jack, vibration, status LED
Performance
Feature Specification Processor 312 MHz Intel PXA901 (XScale) Memory 16 MB RAM; 64 MB ROM (non – expandable) Sync Mini – USB 1.1 (Windows/Mac, RIM Desktop Software 4.x) Connectivity Bluetooth 2.0 (A2DP/AVRCP), no Wi – Fi
Messaging & Telephony
Feature Specification Messaging Push email (Exchange/IMAP/POP3), SMS/MMS, message filtering Telephony Voice calling, speakerphone, call waiting/forwarding Data HTML browser, document viewer (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/PDF) PIM Calendar, tasks, contacts, calculator, world clock
Battery & Power
Feature 8700c/8700r 8703e 8707v Battery 1100 mAh Li – Ion (C – S2) 1100 mAh Li – Ion 1500 mAh Li – Ion (C – S2) Talk Time Up to 4 h Up to 3.3 h Up to 4 h Standby Up to 450 h Up to 192 h Up to 400 h Charging Wired via mini – USB/proprietary dock Same Same
3. Variant – Specific Network & Hardware Differences
Feature 8700c 8700r 8703e 8707v Network Tech EDGE Class 10 (236.8 kbps max) Same as 8700c EV – DO Rev.0 (2.4 Mbps max), 1xRTT UMTS 2100 + HSDPA (3.6 Mbps max) Location Cell – tower based Same A – GPS (CDMA – specific) Cell – tower based SIM Type Mini – SIM Mini – SIM CDMA (no SIM) Mini – SIM Carrier Exclusivity Cingular (AT&T) US Rogers Canada Verizon/Sprint US Vodafone Global
4. Software & Enterprise Features
UI: Proprietary OS 4.1 with customizable shortcuts, text/graphic navigation.
Email: Push delivery, end – to – end encryption, enterprise server integration (BES).
Security: IT policy support, remote wipe, S/MIME for email encryption.
Productivity: Offline document viewing, wireless calendar sync, contact grouping.
5. Core Advantages & Limitations
Advantages Limitations First color QVGA BlackBerry, 312 MHz CPU (fast for 2004) No Wi – Fi, non – expandable 64 MB storage Quad – band GSM/global 3G (8707v), EV – DO speed (8703e) 2.5mm audio jack (not 3.5mm), plastic build Long battery life, enterprise – grade security No camera, limited RAM for multitasking Bluetooth 2.0 for accessories Low – res display vs. modern standards
6. Quick Specs Summary
Feature 8700 Series Display 2.6″ QVGA (320×240), 65K – color TFT, backlit CPU 312 MHz Intel PXA901 (XScale) Memory 16 MB RAM, 64 MB ROM Input 35 – key QWERTY, 4 – way scroll wheel Battery 1100–1500 mAh Li – Ion, 3.3–4 h talk, 192–450 h standby Network GSM/EDGE (8700c/8700r), CDMA/EV – DO (8703e), UMTS/HSDPA (8707v) Weight 134–135 g
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