The bad: The BlackBerry Curve 8900 lacks 3G.

The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 brings a number of improvements and additions to make it a nice upgrade to the Curve 8300 series. That said, AT&T offers other QWERTY smartphones that include 3G support and for less.

Available Features

• Camera (3.2 MP)
• Wi-Fi® Support
• Built-in GPS
• Enhanced Media Player
• Video Recording
• BlackBerry® Maps
• Wireless Email
• Organizer
• Browser
• Phone
• Corporate Data Access
• SMS/MMS

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520 features a responsive optical trackpad and dedicated media controls. The smartphone also offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera, and good call quality.

The bad: Lacks 3G support and GPS. You can only save downloaded apps to the phone’s main memory.

The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a sleek entry-level smartphone that delivers some nice design enhancements and great performance. While available directly from T-Mobile, Wal-Mart offers the better value on the smartphone.

Available Features

• 2.0MP Digital Camera
• Video Camera Capabilities
• Supports BlackBerry App World™
• 256MB Flash Memory
• Wi-Fi® enabled
• BlackBerry® Maps
• Built-in GPS capabilities*
• 3G network access*
• Bluetooth® enabled
• Multimedia Player
• Wireless Email
• Organizer
• Browser
• Phone
• SMS/MMS

Size and Weight

Height:
4.29 inches (109 mm)

Width:
2.36 inches (60 mm)

Depth:
0.55 inches (13.9 mm)

Weight:
3.70 oz (105 g)

The bad: BlackBerry browser isn’t on par with the competition. While improved, the touch screen still takes some acclimation.

The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 brings some welcome additions, such as Wi-Fi, updated software, and a better touch interface, but it’s going to face some serious competition from Verizon’s upcoming touch-screen smartphones.

The RIM BlackBerry Storm features an innovative touch screen that provides tactile feedback to confirm your selection. The Storm offers dual-mode functionality for world-roaming capabilities as well as EV-DO Rev. A and UMTS/HSDPA support. Other highlights include GPS and a 3.2-megapixel camera.

The bad: The Storm’s SurePress touch-screen takes some acclimation and the onscreen keyboard is a bit cramped. The smartphone can still be sluggish even after the firmware update. Speakerphone quality was a bit choppy

The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Storm may blow in a frenzy for Verizon Wireless subscribers wanting a touch screen similar to the Apple iPhone. However, there are bugs and performance issues that prevent the Storm from delivering its full potential.

Available Features

• Wi-Fi® Enabled¹
• 3.2 MP Digital Camera
• Video Camera Capabilities
• Supports BlackBerry App World™
• Bluetooth® Enabled
• Multimedia Player
• SMS/MMS
• Wireless Email
• Organizer
• Browser
• Phone
• Corporate Data Access

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 offers 3G, GPS, good call quality, and BlackBerry’s strong e-mail capabilities. The clamshell smartphone also has a 2-megapixel camera and supports BlackBerry App World.

The bad: The smartphone lacks Wi-Fi, and the SureType keyboard takes some acclimation and isn’t ideal for heavy e-mail users.

The bottom line: While not the flashiest or the most feature-rich device, the RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip for Verizon Wireless is a decent and affordable choice for first-time smartphone buyers.

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 features a brilliant internal display and updated interface. The smartphone continues to offer strong e-mail support and adds Documents to Go. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 2-megapixel camera are also onboard.

The bad: The Pearl Flip 8220 doesn’t offer 3G support or GPS. The SureType keyboard also takes some acclimation.

The bottom line: While its flashier siblings may overshadow it, the RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 should satiate the appetite of flip phone fanatics by bringing in a clamshell design.

Product summary

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630 boasts world-roaming capabilities as well as Bluetooth, GPS, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. The smartphone features a high-resolution display and an easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard. Sprint offers a number of services for the handset and it also supports BlackBerry App World.

The bad: The BlackBerry Tour doesn’t offer Wi-Fi. You can’t save downloaded applications to a memory card.

The bottom line: Despite the lack of Wi-Fi, the RIM BlackBerry Tour 9630 is a feature-rich and well-performing smartphone that will serve Sprint’s globe-trotting customers well.

Size and Weight

Height:
4.4 inches (112 mm)

Width:
2.4 inches (62 mm)

Depth:
0.6 inches (14.2 mm)

Weight:
4.58 ounces (130 grams)

Available Features

• World Phone Capabilities
• 3G Network
• Camera (3.2 MP)
• 256 MB Built-in Memory
• Enhanced Media Player
• Supports BlackBerry App World™
• Built-in GPS
• BlackBerry® Maps
• Wireless Email
• Organizer
• Browser
• Phone
• Corporate Data Access
• SMS/MMS

The bad: The BlackBerry browser doesn’t compare to the competition. The handset’s compact size results in a smaller display and keyboard, but they aren’t deal-breakers.

The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 brings T-Mobile its first 3G BlackBerry and improves on its predecessor with a sleeker design and more power. We only wish it had a better browser to complete the package.

Available Features

• Trackpad navigation
• Bright, hi-resolution screen
• Full QWERTY keyboard
• 3G technology
• Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® enabled
• 256MB flash memory
• 3.2 MP digital camera with
  video camera
• Multimedia player
• Wireless email
• Organizer
• Browser
• Phone
• SMS/MMS
• MicroSD card reader

Size and Weight

Height:
4.29 inches (109 mm)

Width:
2.36 inches (60 mm)

Depth:
0.56 inches (14.1 mm)

Weight:
4.30 ounces / 122 grams
(including battery)
3.17 ounces / 90 grams
(without battery)