BlackBerry 9220 globally launches from India today, priced Rs. 10,990

BlackBerry is still riding high in India with its entry level phone the Curve 8520 being one of the hottest selling phones in recent times. It was a pretty basic smartphone as it didn’t have 3G and features just a 2 MP camera et al, but was quite popular because users were getting BBM and e-mail at a pretty ‘reasonable’ price. Now, its second successor, after the Curve 3G 9300 has finally arrived. RIM has announced the launch of the BlackBerry Curve 9220 with Bollywood bombshell Katrina Kaif. The all new Curve is now thinner, sleeker and sexier and comes with BlackBerry OS 7.1. The 9220 is also the first BlackBerry to come with FM Radio on board. 

Katrina Kaif launches the all new BB Curve 9220

At today’s launch event, Krishnadeep Baruah, Director-Marketing, RIM India, said that this was the most important day in the history of BlackBerry in India. Carlo Chiarello, Executive Vice President, Smartphone Division says the Indian population is the first to get access to the product globally. He also said, “India is a very important market for RIM and we are extremely proud and excited to officially unveil and launch the new BlackBerry Curve 9220 for the first time here in India”.

Here’s what the spec sheet for the BlackBerry 9220 looks like:

• 2.44-inch screen with a 320 x 240 pixel resolution
• 512 MB of RAM, 512 MB of ROM
• EDGE/GPRS, Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, USB 2.0
• 2 megapixel rear camera
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• Memory expandable up to 32 GB via microSD card
• 3.5 mm handsfree socket
• 1450 mAh Lithuim-ion battery with up to 7 hours talk time (according to RIM)

In terms of looks, the new 9220 comes in at 1.2 mm thinner than the 8520. However, it’s important to note that it still comes with a screen resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, something that wasn’t really impressive way back when the 8520 was launched, and that could be a downer for some. The Curve 9220 comes with 512 MB of RAM, four times as much on the 8520 and 512 MB ROM, which is double that on the 8520 and comes pre-loaded with the premium version of Documents To Go. Also, the camera is the same as the older model – a fixed focus 2 megapixel camera. The 1450 mAh battery for a 2.44 inch screen may just mean that this phone may trump your average Android smartphone in terms of battery life. The company also claims 28 hours of music playback

An upgrade to the 8250

The BlackBerry 9220 has been priced at 10,990 (Available from April 19) and will now compete against the likes of a range of Android smartphones in that price bracket. But this one doesn’t have 3G, GPS or Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities making it fall short of the competition in terms of connectivity features. RIM also stated that the 9220 is targeted at youth and SMEs and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises). The handset will be available in a range of colors - Black, teal blue, fuschia pink and pure white

As part of the launch the 9220 customers can downloads apps from BB App World worth 2500 for free (till June 30, 2012).

Stay tuned for the full review coming up shortly.