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| RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8110 (AT&T) |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
_it00.jpg) It has been more than a year and a half since the first RIM BlackBerry Pearl launched, the device has changed little, at least visually. The design is still the same, and though we've always appreciated the SureType keyboard and the slim design, the OS needs a serious upgrade, and even the trackball isn't as amusing as it once was. We liked having GPS on a Pearl, but the Verizon Wireless and Sprint BlackBerry Pearls both have navigation, with 3G networking to boot. Still, even though there is little to recommend AT&T's BlackBerry Pearl 8110 over the others, it's still a competent smartphone and not a bad choice, even though there are better choices around. Release: April 2008. Price: $100.
Pros: Slim BlackBerry Pearl, now with GPS. Very good battery life. Navigation software looks better than competitor's.
Cons: Same Pearl, different model number. OS and older apps need visual update. Web browser renders messy pages. Lacks 3G networking.
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66%
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| RIM BlackBerry 8820 (AT&T) |
| Full review » Video » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
_it00.jpg) The BlackBerry 8820 is certainly a welcome update, but we'd be hesitant about paying more for the Wi-Fi privilege. For messaging, the BlackBerry does a nice job using the slower EDGE network. If you're really interested in faster Web browsing, the RIM's browser on the BlackBerry is not the best choice. Perhaps if the phone had enhanced calling options, like UMA, we could see the purpose of Wi-Fi, but there were other improvements to the BlackBerry interface, scheduling and productivity tools that we would have liked to see first. Release: September 2007. Price: $350.
Pros: Classy look of the BlackBerry 8800, now with Wi-Fi. Great call quality, excellent battery life.
Cons: Wi-Fi doesn't help much. Aging interface. Faster cellular networking would have been nicer.
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59%
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| RIM Blackberry Curve |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 It's no wonder that in the weeks leading up to the iPhone's release, we're seeing a new category of "consumer" or "multimedia" smartphone peek its head out of the earth to look for its shadow. The Curve aims to bring the BlackBerry line to a more general audience, and to accomplish this RIM has improved the media player and, well, that's about it. Aside from our lousy experience with the Roxio software, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo Bluetooth means that this could be a decent music phone. Otherwise, the Curve is still a BlackBerry, which is good for calls, e-mail, and other hardcore smartphone functions. Still, the aging interface and the heavily textual menus might scare away folks who don't want to nitpick onscreen font sizes, or adjust network settings. Excellent battery life deserves high praise, but every BlackBerry has excellent battery life. We're not sure if this is the one to win over the masses. Release: May 2007. Price: $100.
Pros: Excellent call handling. Push e-mail is business class for consumers. BlackBerry phones have the best battery life of any device.
Cons: No popular IM clients. Ugly calendar. Disappointing music app, with abysmal transfer software. Slow EDGE networking.
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64%
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| Pantech C120 |
| Full review » Gallery » |
 While it's admirably small and light, with nicely designed keys packed into a tight keypad, the Pantech C120 (which Cingular offers through its pay-as-you-go GoPhone plan) suffers from poor call quality, a mediocre display and iffy messaging features. With its slim profile, VGA camera and tri-band support for some international usefulness, the C120 might suffice for style-mongers who don't want to sign a long-term service contract, but regular chatters can certainly do better. Release: October 2006. Price: $50.
Pros: Small size and lightweight. Supports popular IM protocols.
Cons: Poor voice quality. So-so message editor. Mediocre display.
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45%
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| RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The BlackBerry Bold 9700, especially the T-Mobile version we reviewed, is the quintessential modern BlackBerry. It does everything right that BlackBerry fans love, but it doesn't improve on the formula one bit. Calling, messaging and business features are top notch. Besides the superlative battery life for which BlackBerry devices are known, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is T-Mobile's first 3G smartphone with UMA calling, which means you'll always have good reception if you have a Wi-Fi network nearby. If you don't mind digging through the BlackBerry App World (and digging FOR the App World), you'll find great social networking apps for keeping up with Facebook, uploading photos to your favorite sites and more. But if RIM wants the BlackBerry to stay competitive, it's time to get serious about the Web browser, a feature that has lagged behind for years now. Plus, when you're using the BlackBerry Bold 9700's aging, menu-heavy interface, it's too easy to be reminded of the phone's pager heritage. Worst of all, RIM's flagship BlackBerry Bold 9700 doesn't bring anything new to the party. It does everything well that we've already seen a BlackBerry do, and now we'd like the phone to learn some new tricks. Release: November 2009. Price: $200.
Pros: Great battery life. Well organized inbox aggregates all incoming messages. UMA calling is very convenient.
Cons: Interface still bland, poorly organized. Web browser lags behind competition.
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77%
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