BlackBerry Curve 9380

“The new Curve 9380 is not something we haven’t seen so far, it's a downgrade on an already familiar phone. But surprisingly, this actually works. While the Torch 9860 was big and not every RIM user's choice, the new Curve is smaller and lighter, but still equally capable and running the OS 7 as smoothly as any other OS 7-based BlackBerry. And don’t worry about the screen - its ppi, contrast and sunlight legibility are very good so you'll hardly notice the lower resolution.”

“There's definitely the potential within the BlackBerry Curve 9380 for it to be a good smartphone, and for many BlackBerry addicts on a budget, hungry for some touchscreen action, it could serve well.Frankly, we'd rather have the BlackBerry Curve 9360 within the BlackBerry range, but if it's a touchscreen phone you want in this price bracket, we'd go for the iPhone 3GS, thanks to its slicker operating system.If you can stretch to a few more pounds per month on a contract, though, you'll find all manner of Android phones with vastly improved specs over the Curve, and a more mature operating system.Although the BlackBerry Curve 9380 has much to commend it, we don't think it's the best option in its price range, and for only a little more money, you could get much more handset.”

“The BlackBerry Curve 9380 is an interesting foray in the touchscreen-only jungle by RIM, which probably meant to create a decent consumer-oriented budget device with its services staples. Yet when you get rid of one huge advantage for BlackBerry aficionados, which is the physical keyboard, and replace it with an on-screen one plastered over a wimpy 3.2-incher, eyebrows are bound to be raised. There is just no way that the suit and government types will be typing on the Curve 9380 like on the markedly easier BlackBerry physical portrait keyboards, which are RIM’s trademark for the world. RIM might be shooting itself in the foot here, as it doesn’t have many competitive advantages over the more popular Android and iOS now, just the wonders of BBM, BIS and the legendary BlackBerry security, coupled with the excellent keyboards, and one of those advantages is missing on the Curve 9380, because the screen size is so small. Average users, on the other hand, have so much choice in the segment the Curve 9380 is striving for, that grabbing precisely this handset out of the pile seems a bit of an utopian hope for RIM, if it meant the 9380 as a consumer-oriented device. They’ll see a handset with stiff side keys, entry level screen, processor and video capture. Yet they’ll be asked to pay the “BlackBerry premium”, which will likely steer them away from the Curve 9380. For its price you can get phones like the Sony Ericsson Xperia ray, a much more capable munchkin with a way better camera, screen resolution and Android applications galore. If you are into typing lengthy emails, you can grab the HTC Desire Z for even less money, with its excellent physical keyboard and crafty design. If you are longing for that legendary portrait keyboard, the oldie BlackBerry Bold 9780 has it for only a tad more. In case you want something markedly different, like Windows Phone, you can check out the Samsung Omnia W for the same money, with a 4” Super AMOLED display and good Microsoft Exchange email support. Yet if you absolutely must have the BlackBerry services in a trendy touchscreen-only device, the Curve 9380 is indeed a budget way to do it, provided that you don’t plan on a lot of typing. If you do, you'd better splurge a bit extra, and get the Torch 9860, which offers the same experience, but on a more bearable 3.7” display, plus you get faster processor and 720p video recording.”

“Accordingly, we're giving the Curve 9380 a middling score not because it's a bad phone, but because it's currently sitting in an awkward price position where it's not the best value for money. Consider it if you're looking for the smallest BlackBerry you can get or the cheapest touch model. If you're not inclined to the BlackBerry world, though, consider looking elsewhere.”