Hands On Review: Blackberry Javelin

At first, the Blackberry Javelin codename was revealed in May 2008 and it was in June we saw the images and videos of this handset. After a while ago we found out that the device which is also known as the Blackberry 8900 is already spotted on Ebay, we now have a pre-release hands-on review of this handset, thanks to our folks at the crackberry. Here are some key features of the Javelin:

• Quad-band radios: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (no 3G)
• Wi-Fi b/g with UMA + GPS in one
• OS 4.6.1, featuring Safe Mode start up
• 480 by 360 high-res HVGA+ display
• 512 MHz Processor
• 256 MB onboard flash memory (more room for apps)
• Hot-swappable microSD slot – located under the battery door
• 3.2MP camera, includes auto-focus
• Glass cover – one piece glass cover will house the camera and flash, providing a very polished look and feel
• Micro USB charging/syncing port, w/ high speed data
• Dedicated Lock Button – will allow easy access to lock / hold the device when not using a holster
• “Sweet Spot” narrow keypad
• Battery Cover features a new easy to use, latch mechanism

Display: Frak’n awesome. In terms of physical dimensions, the Javelin’s display is narrower than the Bold’s by a ¼ inch and is the same height. Yet at 480 by 360 pixels, the 8900’s display is actually higher resolution than the Bold’s already-amazing 480 by 320 display. Looking at the homescreen, icons appear smaller and crisper on the Javelin. I can’t wait to load it up with videos and put it to the test.

Keyboard / Navigation: The Javelin’s keyboard is compact, but I’ve been finding it easy to type on (even with the French AZERTY layout, which I have already gotten used to and have concluded may actually be more efficient to use over QWERTY for typing in English!). Just like the BlackBerry 83xx series, the BlackBerry 8900’s keys are spaced out. This key spacing means there are no cool guitar-style frets, like on the Bold and Pearl Flip. If you look at the 8900’s keyboard closely, more than the Curve it most closely resembles the keyboard on the BlackBerry 8700 series, just condensed slightly.

The central navigation buttons for the Javelin are the same as for the Bold, only shrunk down, and as mentioned above it sounds like the commercially available 8900 is going to feature a change up in trackball color, to grey / black. In my BlackBerry 9000 initial review I noted that the trackball looked a little small / lost on the Bold’s body, but on the Javelin it looks perfect once again. I never measured for Phi, but I’m assuming there must be some of that Divine Proportion stuff at work here.

Around the Perimeter: The perimeter buttons/ports/controls on the phone are one of the biggest areas where the Javelin has evolved from the Curve and is very different from the Bold. The left side of the Javelin is almost empty. It features only the left side convenience key and what I *think* is a tiny speaker port at the top. The right side of the Javelin has become extremely BUSY. Not only is there the standard volume up / down and right side convenience key, but the 3.5mm headset jack and syncing/charging port which used to be on the left are now on the right. Like the Pearl 8220, the Javelin features a microUSB port vs. miniUSB. I have to admit, I’ve been finding it extremely weird to plug the microUSB cable into the lower right corner of the 8900. I instinctually keep reaching for the upper left.

Processor: I won’t weigh in too much on the Javelin’s processor just yet, as the version of OS4.6.1 on this unit is a fairly early build (here’s to hoping some newer versions find their way into the wild soon!), but I think it’s fair to say the 8900 is not as fast as the Bold, but is a helluva lot faster than the Curve / 8800 / Pearls. It’s definitely zippy flying through the menus and native programs, and with a device memory increase up to 256MB it should hopefully keep that speed even as you load the device up with apps. Come full release time, I don’t think anyone will be disappointed in this processor.

GPS & WiFi: The Javelin has both, but I haven’t really tested either out yet. Stay tuned for me here.

Camera: I haven’t played too much with the camera yet (and haven’t touched the video camera at all), but the initial snaps I have taken with the 3.2MP camera seem pretty good. Although, I did encounter one glitch that I have yet to rectify… when the option for Picture Size is set to Large, 8900’s 3.2MP camera should take photos at 2048 by 1536 pixels. Yet the photos I have taken are clocking in at only 1856 by 1392 pixels (which is not even an option on the phone). I’m guessing it’s a tweak that has already been address in a newer version of the OS (or user error I’m not aware of?!).

For those interested in a quality comparison between the Bold and Javelin’s camera, I snapped a shot of a couple of cars parked on a street. Taken one after another, here’s a Photo taken with the Javelin and the same Photo taken with the Bold. You be the judge.

Sound: Historically this wasn’t something I immediately looked at in a hardware review, but the BlackBerry Bold’s awesome (for a smartphone) sound has put it on my radar for good. This is one area where the Javelin really seems to be lacking in comparison to the Bold. The Bold features a ton of sound ports around the perimeter of the phone that maximize airflow out of the device and create an almost stereo-like effect. The 8900 has one at the top, one below the camera glass, and I *think* another small one near the top left of the phone (unless that’s something else… I’m an Addict, not an Expert!!). Cranking up the tunes, the Javelin goes twangy quite quick in comparison to the Bold.

OS 4.6.1: My BlackBerry 8900 unit is currently running OS4.6.1.28, and I’m sure there are some newer versions out there for it already. I’ll get more into the OS in a follow up review, but essentially 4.6.1 builds upon the OS found in the Bold. The biggest new feature I’m itching to try out is Safe Mode, which apparently can be entered by holding the back key while booting. Stay tuned for a lot more here….

All in all, the Javelin’s hardware makes for a tight little package stacked with a lot of performance. The lack of 3G definitely hurts, but I’m sure RIM is already working to get that one figured out for a future model based on this (or a similar) form factor.

Read More…