Digicel and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) on Wednesday announced the availability of the BlackBerry(r) Pearl(tm) Flip 8220, the first BlackBerry(r) smartphone to come in the popular flip form factor. Digicel is offering the BlackBerry Pearl Flip in 23 markets across the Caribbean.{{more}}

The new BlackBerry Pearl Flip provides flip phone fans with all the power of a BlackBerry smartphone in a fun and familiar design. One quick flip of the handset opens up a world of possibilities with the industry’s leading mobile messaging solution and a wide range of impressive Internet and multimedia capabilities – all in one powerful smartphone.

The quadband BlackBerry Pearl Flip smartphone presents a sophisticated look with a sleek design and a chrome-finished frame. Packed with an abundance of powerful features, it weighs only 3.6 ounces and measures approximately 3.9” x 1.9” x 0.7”. Featuring two high-resolution, light-sensing color displays, the external LCD makes it easy to preview incoming emails, text messages and phone calls without opening the handset, whilst the large 240 x 320 internal LCD displays messages, videos and web pages with impressive detail and contrast.

Director of Products at Digicel, Ralf Ohlhausen, said “Digicel prides itself on giving customers the very best choice and a cutting-edge range of handsets. With the addition of the BlackBerry Pearl Flip smartphone, our customers have eight BlackBerry models to choose from, so there’s a suitable BlackBerry smartphone to satisfy the varying needs and preferences of our customers.”

Mark Guibert, Vice-President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion, also expects the new smartphone to be a hit with consumers. “The BlackBerry Pearl Flip smartphone is a natural choice for customers who are looking to replace their existing flip phone with something more powerful,” he said.