We’ve seen the Curve 8500 series and the Curve 3G, but many say that they do not really replace the much acclaimed Curve 8900. The Bold 9700 is totally out of the league of the younger Curve 8900, but now we have what seemed to be the true successor. Just like how RIM named the Bold 9780 after the Bold 9700, the new Curve is called the 8980, quite similar to the Curve 8900’s naming.

The Curve 8980 just got FCC approved, even with access to a user’s manual and external shots. The shots show a proper optical pad, with a 3.2-megapixel camera with flash. The screen seemed to be an improved one with higher resolution. Sadly the filing shows that it’s probably an EDGE-only device. Funny, as this device is coming in 2011 yet there’s no 3G. Hopefully RIM would actually throw in 3G before they release this new Curve.

SOURCE via Phonescoop