RIM prepping 3G, iPhone-fighting BlackBerry 9000/9xxx?

RIM is really on a roll recently. They’ve been pumping out handsets faster than ever, and it looks like RIM’s next big handset will aim at Apple’s iPhone. It makes sense, since every phone manufacturer out there is gunning to, well, out-gun the iPhone with touchscreen offerings of their own. Research In Motion (RIM), makers of the unfortunately touchscreen-less lineup of BlackBerry smartphones, is reportedly working on a new BlackBerry 9xxx/9000 that takes aim squarely at the iPhone.


We’re hearing through the grapevine that RIM’s BlackBerry 9xxx/9000 will be sporting a full-fledged 3G radio with HSDPA (on US-friendly frequencies), 600Mhz processor, and an undeniably iPhone-esque design. As you can see from Boy Genius’s questionable mockup/blurry spy pic, the BlackBerry 9000 is looking pretty damn slick. We can only guess that the full-body screen will be a touchscreen (if not as the sole means of input, then perhaps with a slide-out keyboard). Oh, and we’re also hearing that the BlackBerry 9xxx will have a backup feature that will move all data on the phone to a removable memory card.

With a release date slated for early 2008, we’re sure recent BlackBerry 8800 buyers aren’t none too pleased. But, being firmly planted in speculative soil, BlackBerry 8800 owners can hope that this rumor turns out to be nothing more than that - a rumor. We’re thinking that this BlackBerry 9xxx could indeed be in the works - it makes sense for RIM to go after Apple’s iPhone. Stay tuned!

[Via: Boy Genius Report]