BlackBerry Curve 8900 Javelin Unlocked Phone with 3.2 MP Camera, GPS Navigation, Stereo Bluetooth, and MicroSD Slot--US Version with No Warranty (Black)

Most helpful customer reviews

129 of 134 people found the following review helpful.
The smallest, lightest, and best Blackberry around.
By Tarun Chachra
HI All.

I have used a blackberry for over 10 years now...give or take. I have always been impressed by the devices they have created in the past and the current line of devices. Since I like to be on the bleeding edge of tech, I just had to get a 8900.

Most of you know by now what the new feature sets are of blackberries that are out today. The bold, the storm, and now this one The JAVELIN.
I wont go into too much detail but I will give you my quick run down.

The Javelin is perhaps the thinnest, lightest, small footprint blackberry that I have ever used. It sports a great look and the feel to the hands is awesome. It is after all the curve II. Screen comparison to the bold is that this unit has a higher resolution then the bold but a smaller physical screen. The higher resolution definitely adds some clarity to the screen...but it should be duly noted that the BOLD's screen is also beautiful. Yes I own both.

The Javelin is a EDGE/Wi-FI device...it does not have 3G capabilities. Technically you only need 3G if you want to be on the phone and receive/send emails at the same time when using your mobile connections...I personally have never needed that functionality. However, please note that if you are connected to WI-FI you are able to be on a telephone call and receive/send email etc over wi-fi....works perfectly.

The Javelin has a new processor which makes the device FLY. Yes the processor is slower then the one in the Bold, but one can hardly tell the difference....I have used both for weeks...and I can honestly say you will not notice the speed difference.

I have a 8gb MicroSD card installed in the device and use the software available from blackberry to synchronize all of my DRM free music from iTunes to the Blackberry. A must buy if you want to carry one device that does it all. Amazon has great prices on micro-sd cards.....

Here are what I consider to be the best features on the Javelin:

1. AUTOFOCUS 3.2mp Camera - It is AWESOME. Picture taking, due to focus, is a bit slower....however, the clarity and quality of the picture make it all worthwhile.

2. FOOTPRINT - Great looking device with a great size.

3. High Resolution screen - Awesome clarity....

4. The functionality of a blackberry has always been a pro..and this one makes it better with a faster processor and more zippy feel.

The three BAD things:
1. The speaker on this thing is so TINNY....that it hurts my ears with certain tones.....there is NO bass what so ever. That is to be expected in a device this small....so maybe some new tones need to be tested out.

2. Micro-USB - Why take something like mini-usb and replace it with something new. Now I have to get all new chargers, travel chargers, etc.... Upsetting but bareable.

3. The holster in the BOX is simply a pleather pouch of sorts...no belt clip etc... You will need to buy an aftermarket leather/plastic holster if you wish to attach to your belt. Not a deal breaker...but should be mentioned.

I am posting some images for your review also.

Overall this is a great 5 Star Device.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful.
Great PDA, messager, and best of all a great phone
By L. Witherill
Pros: Reception and call quality!, interface, beautiful screen, syncs with Mac, keyboard, terrific sound on media player, decent camera, and intuitive user interface.

Cons: Battery life could be better, can be slow at times with multiple applications open, the Mac syncing software from Blackberry is finicky though it eventually works, no 3G network support :(

Summary: This phone is wonderful. My last two smartphones were Windows Mobile and this Blackberry completely blows them out of the water. The interface is wonderful and the OS is really reliable. I put battery life under cons, though it gets about forty hours with one charge on heavy text, email, internet, and phone usage, so this is really a minor complaint.

All in all I love this device. Compared to my girlfriend's previous gen Blackberry, this little gadget is a beauty and a top performer. Keyboard is about the same, but the 8900 wins in just about every other category: build, reception, screen, interface, camera.

Versus the Bold
I ultimately chose this over the Bold for a few reasons: keyboard, form factor, price tag, and screen. The Bold's edge over the Curve 8900 is its support for 3G, though I find browsing the internet on a phone painful so it had no impact on my decision. I prefer the smaller size of the Curve 8900 too, and it feels like it's built better than the Bold.

Versus the iPhone
I'm a Mac user, though I chose a Blackberry. Why? First of all, I already own an iPod Touch so I'm familiar with the interface of the iPhone and I can tell you how frustrating it is to type on the screen! I wanted the full physical keyboard interface, and with the growing Blackberry app store it is quickly gaining ground on the iPhones flexibility. I find the trackball quick and I make less errors with it than on the touch interface. Of course, the touchscreen has its perks, but I find that I don't miss it here. I also wanted to avoid the iPhone's lackluster battery, and I'm happy I did because the Blackberry easily lasts a full day and the next without a charge. I also know that iPhone's don't get the greatest reception, and this 8900 gets the best reception of any cell phone I've owned (which is probably at about ten total phones over the years).

Conclusion:
This is a great phone. I highly recommend it. I did a lot of research before making this decision and am very happy I settled on the Curve 8900.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful.
My 8900
By Manuel Escobar
I bought my 8900 in February when it first came out and I am so delighted with it. Never before have I been so happy with a phone because it can do so much. I used to carry a palm and a cell.... no longer! The 8900 has everything I need: Internet, instant email, text messages, phone, games, camera, documents, etc, etc, it is wonderful! Very happy and still excited about it.