BlackBerry Curve 8900 Review: Features & Specs

BlackBerry Curve 8900 (2008)

The BlackBerry Curve 8900 (codenamed Javelin) is a premium mid-range GSM smartphone released by Research In Motion (RIM) in August 2008, targeting business users and professionals seeking a compact, high-resolution display, improved camera, and enhanced multimedia capabilities while retaining BlackBerry’s iconic QWERTY keyboard and push‑email reliability.

1. General Information

Launch Date: Announced May 2008; released August 2008
Model Aliases: Javelin (codename); Curve 8900
OS: BlackBerry OS 4.6.1 (officially upgradable to 5.0.0.822)
Core Purpose: Business‑grade push email, enterprise security, multimedia, and daily communication with a premium compact form factor

2. Display

Type: 2.44‑inch 65K‑color TFT LCD, landscape orientation, backlit for low‑light use
Resolution: 480 × 360 pixels (HVGA+), ~245 ppi, one of the sharpest BlackBerry displays at launch
Navigation & Input:
- Trackball (optical trackball for precise navigation)
- Full 35‑key backlit QWERTY keyboard
- Physical send/end, menu, and escape keys

3. Performance & Memory

Processor: 32-bit Intel XScale PXA270 @ 528 MHz
RAM: 128MB SDRAM
Storage: 256MB flash ROM (for OS, apps, and data)
Expandable Storage: microSD / microSDHC slot (officially up to 16GB; unofficially supports 32GB)
Performance: Optimized for multitasking email, calendar, BBM, and light multimedia; smooth for its era

4. Camera

Rear Camera: 3.2MP autofocus (AF) with LED flash
- Max photo resolution: 2048 × 1536 pixels
- Features: Geotagging, digital zoom, scene modes, white balance
- Video recording: 240p (QVGA) @ 15fps
Front Camera: No front‑facing camera

5. Connectivity

Cellular:
- GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz (2G)
- GPRS Class 10, EDGE Class 10 (data; no 3G)
- Dual‑band or quad‑band variants by region
Wireless:
- Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (A2DP for stereo audio, HSP/HFP for hands‑free)
- Wi‑Fi 802.11b/g (a defining upgrade over many earlier Curves)
Wired:
- mini‑USB 2.0 (charging, data sync, USB‑OTG support)
- 3.5mm headphone jack (standard audio)
Navigation: GPS receiver with A‑GPS + BlackBerry Maps
SIM: Mini‑SIM (2FF) slot

6. Battery & Power

Battery Type: Removable 1400 mAh Li‑Ion battery (model: JM‑1)
Battery Life:
- Talk time: Up to 5.5 hours (GSM)
- Standby time: Up to 356 hours (14+ days)
- Music playback: Up to 24 hours
Charging: Standard mini‑USB charging (no fast charging)

7. Design & Physical Specs

Dimensions: 109 × 60 × 13.5 mm (4.29 × 2.36 × 0.53 in)
Weight: 110 g (3.88 oz) with battery
Build: Plastic chassis with a premium matte finish, durable for business use
Colors: Titanium Gray, Black
Notifications: LED indicator (customizable colors), vibration, polyphonic/MP3 ringtones
Audio: Built‑in speakerphone, noise cancellation for calls

8. Software & Key Features

Core Apps:
- Push email (supports BlackBerry Enterprise Server / BES, BlackBerry Internet Service / BIS)
- Full organizer: Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, MemoPad, Calculator
- BlackBerry Messenger (BBM)
- BlackBerry Maps (GPS navigation)
- Media Player: MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV audio; MP4, 3GP video
Security:
- Device password lock
- Content protection / encryption
- Enterprise security policies (via BES)
Browser: HTML browser with JavaScript support (basic web browsing)
Other: FM radio (in select regions), voice dialing