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Berry season: Pick the right BlackBerry

Bonnie Cha Bonnie Cha, Senior Associate Editor November 9, 2009

There was a time not long ago when all versions of the BlackBerry looked more or less the same. But in the last few years, our friends north of the border have ramped up their innovation skills with a slew of new models that include fresh designs and features, giving you the freedom to select a model that's right for you. Here is the latest crop of devices from RIM.

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Product name
Price Check Prices $149.99 to $414.99 $149.99 to $649.99 $179.99 $149.99 to $599.99 $9.99
CNET editors' rating
Average user rating 0 stars
Review date November 04, 2009 June 09, 2009 July 27, 2009 October 14, 2009 January 15, 2009 July 16, 2009
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. 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. 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. 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. Nextel customers looking for a full-featured smartphone with the carrier's famed Direct Connect push-to-talk capabilities will be well-served by the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i. 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.
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Features
Cellular technologyWCDMA (UMTS) / GSM
GSM
CDMA2000 1X / GSM / WCDMA (UMTS)
Info unavailableiDEN
CDMA2000 1X
Weight4.3 oz
3.9 oz
4.6 oz
0.4 lbs
0.3 lbs
3.6 oz
Talk time360 min
330 min
300 min
Up to 300 min (GSM)
Up to 330 min (CDMA)
Up to 360 min (UMTS))
Up to 240 min
210 min
Wireless InterfaceIEEE 802.11b
IEEE 802.11g
Bluetooth 2.1 EDR
IEEE 802.11b
IEEE 802.11g
Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
Bluetooth 2.0
Info unavailableIEEE 802.11b
IEEE 802.11g
Bluetooth 2.0
Bluetooth 2.0
Service ProviderAT&T
Info unavailableSprint Nextel
Verizon Wireless
Sprint Nextel
Verizon Wireless
Band / modeWCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900
GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quadband)
WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 / CDMA2000 1X 1900/800
GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quadband) / CDMA 800/1900 (Dual Band) / HSDPA 2100
iDEN 800/900 (Dual Band)
CDMA2000 1X 1900/800
Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications
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As Reviewed: $199.99

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