Local mobile operator Vodacom and RIM (Research In Motion) are giving BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone owners the chance to upgrade their device at a reduced cost through Edcon. Vodacom subscribers that own an Curve 8520 can go to an Edgars, Jet Cellular or CNA store in order to trade in their device for the latest Curve, the BlackBerry Curve 9320 smartphone, or any other BlackBerry 7.1 OS operating smartphone.

You’ll get R600 for your old smartphone, which means users pay only R2 000 for a new BlackBerry Curve 9320 smartphone since it’s currently worth R2 600. Alternatively, you can opt for another BlackBerry 7.1 OS-powered smartphone such as the BlackBerry Curve 9360 or 9380, BlackBerry Torch 9810, and the BlackBerry Bold 9790 or 9900, instead of the Curve 9320.

These smartphones will provide 8520 owners with access to the BlackBerry platform’s latest functionality, including a personal mobile hotspot capability (you will need a data bundle to use this feature) and FM Radio (only available on the Curve 9320 and Curve 9380).

How the trade-in option works?

Trading up involves a few simple steps:

• Firstly, users are advised to backup their current smartphone’s data via BlackBerry Protect, which will make it easy to restore their device settings, contacts and calendar items on their new BlackBerry smartphone. Alternatively, you can also connect your BlackBerry to a PC and make use of the BlackBerry Desktop Software in order to perform a data backup.

• Go to a participating Edgars, Jet Cellular or CNA store, where a representative will run a quick test on your BlackBerry smartphone, to see if it powers on correctly and to check that the display is not damaged.

• Receive R600 off of the purchase price of your new BlackBerry 7.1 OS-running handset.