BlackBerry Style 9670

RIM’s first attempt at a flip BlackBerry wasn’t especially well-received. The Pearl Flip was commendable for being a significant departure in form factors for RIM at the time (even compared to the Storm), but the lower-end specs, reworked trackball layout, and prominent rear jut when open made for a fairly awkward phone. Recently, RIM and Sprint announced their second go at a clamshell BlackBerry, and have this time armed it with their best software, top-end specs, and their latest design principles. We’ve unboxed it and gave it a once-over, but here’s our full-blown review.

Despite the added gusto, reception to the early first looks have been less than stellar. Can the BlackBerry 9670 succeed where the Pearl Flip failed, or is RIM poised to be embarrassed just when the competition is getting stiff

Specifications (Specs – sheet)

• 2.7-inch QVGA (360 x 400) display, 2″ 240 x 320 external display
• 624 MHz CPU, 512 MB of RAM
• 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash
• 3G via 800 / 1900 MHz EV-DO Rev. A, Wi-Fi b/g/n
• GPS, Bluetooth 2.1
• microSD (support for up to 32 GB)
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• BlackBerry OS 6
• 4.5 hours talk time, 10.5 days standby
• 96 (175.5 when open) x 60 x 18.5 mm, and 131 g

The Good

• External display for notifications
• Spacious, easy-to-type keyboard

The Bad

• Poor battery life
• Bulky when open