BlackBerry Curve 9320 review: Coach class

Introduction

Anyone familiar with Research In Motion knows that the people behind BlackBerry have been busy working on the latest version of their OS - BlackBerry 10 - for the better part of a year now. And while RIM promise that BB10 will be their ticket back into contention, it's been quite a while for them without a new release.

BlackBerry Curve 9320 official pictures

While the BlackBerry Curve is not a part of the BB10, it represents what got RIM into the game at all: a compact QWERTY messenger with to-the-point functionality and mature design. We're as curious as you to see what RIM have been able to do with their Curve lineup over the past half year.

With the Curve 9320, RIM is looking to hold the fort while it gets its ducks in a row for the release of the BB10 lineup. In this case, holding the fort essentially means releasing a device with toned-down specs, which may still entice loyal users and stem the tide of their plummeting market share, if only a little.

Let's take a look at what the BlackBerry Curve 9320 has to offer:

Key features

• Quad-band GSM and tri-band 3G support
• 7.2 Mbps HSDPA and 5.76 Mbps HSUPA
• 2.44" 65K-color TFT landscape display of QVGA resolution (320x240)
• Full QWERTY keyboard
• Optical trackpad
• 806MHz processor
• 512MB RAM, 512MB ROM
• Wi-Fi b/g/n connectivity
• GPS with A-GPS connectivity
• Bluetooth v2.1
• 3 megapixel fixed focus, VGA video recording
• BlackBerry OS 7.1
• Hot-swappable microSD card slot (up to 32GB), 2GB card preinstalled
• 1450 mAh battery
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Excellent audio quality
• Office document editor
• Smart dialing
• Good video codec support

Main disadvantages

• BlackBerry Internet Service account is a must to enjoy all phone features
• Bland text-only submenus
• Fixed focus camera
• No HD video
• Glossy back panel prevents good grip, easily greased up

The Curve 9320 is a notch below the Curve 9360, which was released around the beginning of the year, and the specs are far from impressive. The 56K-color screen of QVGA resolution in particular fails to impress, and the fixed-focus camera has taken a cut in resolution from 5 to 3 megapixels. .

BlackBerry Curve 9320 live shots

Nonetheless, the Curve 9320 will find support amidst an (albeit small) group of diehard BlackBerry supporters who are looking for a familiar interface and reasonable performance without breaking the bank.

Now join us as we take a look at the hardware, design and retail packaging of the BlackBerry Curve 9320.