[Superh3ro]

There are a lot, and we mean a lot of interesting rumors that go around the internet. We're going to be starting to touch on these rumors with a 'Fact or Fake' segment for each one. Here we will examine each rumor and tell you how close we think they could be fact or fake. Now is the perfect time to start as here are a few images that will really boggle your mind. We can't vouch for the authenticity of these images, so take them with a grain of salt. Twitter user AdrCoF sent these images out of what appear to be the about screens for a BlackBerry 9890 and 9850.



While these images could be complete forgeries it is still interesting to dissect them on what they could be.

We actually have heard strong rumors that Verizon or Sprint will be getting a CDMA version of the slider BlackBerry, possibly one like the Torch and its model number would be 9850. The OS version in the image above appears to be 6.3.0.899, with possibly platform 7 (like the 9890). It also shows it to be 4G. This could coincide with Sprint's existing 4G network or Verizon's upcoming 4G LTE network expected to launch in early 2011. Note: this image appears to be in spanish.

The image of the 9890 shows it with an OS version of 6.3.0.975 and on platform 7. The platform difference (not 6) could be caused due to it having to be a 4G specific radio. It is unclear what the 9890 could even be. We know that there is already a Torch2 currently being tested. Could the 9890 be it?

Currently neither model number has a UAProf Document. This is strange considering most Pre-release BlackBerry devices with about screens that show a model #, for the most part, show up on BlackBerry.net. What is your take on these two images? While some things could add up to make them real, we're still not sold and these images could be fakes. Hopefully more information will eventually come out if the 9850 and 9890 do exist. What do you think, fact or fake?

[knottyrope]

Ah man, now I have to save up for a new Torch 2

[Dubdub]

As soon as you get the new one, it is already obsolete and superseded by the next latest and greatest.

[santo]

My guess?

Top one is fake. Not enough info on the bottom one.

2 reasons:
1. Branding version has a 211 vendor id. That doesn't exist.
2. Micro Edition Profile is 3.2. MIDP only goes to 3.0 and it's a standard which RIM is a part of but they can't create minor versions. It's normally built on CLDC. The Micro Edition Configuration is DPMD which I've not personally heard of nor has anyone on the Interweb, it seems.

Just a guess

[jerry12]

man i just got my Fourth BlackBerry on 8/19/2010 a Bold 9650. the torch look's good but it is not on cdma yet and att doesn't have good service at my house. my new phone is already old.

[JCon]

If they are legitimate pictures, I agree with these being 4G CDMA devices for Verizon and/or Sprint but I would think the model numbering would best fit the 4G Torch with 9890 and the new and (hopefully) improved Storm 3 with 9850 (from 9550?). But then again I've read the Storm 3 will not sport the new OS6 but instead a "hybrid" OS that will also be used on the upcoming Blackpad. If not the Storm 3, then how about the 9850 is the Bold 9650 replacement using the same form factor minus the trackpad and navi keys and instead a slightly larger touchscreen (3"?) display. Now that's what I'm talking about!

[blackgrape]

Agreed, fake vendor id = fake phone

[ad65]

Not sure if even related..but I have T-Mobile and now my data plan says"4 G unlimited BB with enterprise"...

[Dubdub]

Originally Posted by ad65

Not sure if even related..but I have T-Mobile and now my data plan says"4 G unlimited BB with enterprise"...

Probably marketing hype.

[jsconyers]

Originally Posted by Dubdub

Probably marketing hype.

That's exactly what it is. T-Mobile doesn't have "true" 4G. They have enhanced 3G or 3.5G if you will in High Speed Downlink Packet Access, more commonly known as HSDPA. This is NOT LTE or WiMax which are more commonly known as 4G.

[dc/dc]

Originally Posted by jsconyers

That's exactly what it is. T-Mobile doesn't have "true" 4G. They have enhanced 3G or 3.5G if you will in High Speed Downlink Packet Access, more commonly known as HSDPA. This is NOT LTE or WiMax which are more commonly known as 4G.

T-Mobile doesn't even consider their HSDPA network to be 4G, only their HSPA+ network. However, according to the ITU, not even LTE or WiMax is 4G, so all the carriers in the world are really using a misnomer calling their networks 4G. HSPA+ is more accurately called a 3.75G network.

[Calebrity]

Originally Posted by blackgrape

Agreed, fake vendor id = fake phone

ever think it is a different Vendor that isn't labeled for the 4G network?

[Sytner]

Different Vendor IDs wouldn't correlate to different network types I imagine. Think; a 2G carrier vendor ID would be identical to a 3G one. Likewise you would expect the same to go for 4G.