The actual bad: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360's side buttons are a tad too skinny for us, there's no HD video capture, also it doesn't support T-Mobile's high-speed HSPA+ network.
The bottom collection: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 makes a great entry-level offering for all those already in the BlackBerry camp.
RIM launched its next-generation BlackBerry 7 OS having a refreshed Bold 9900/9930, the Torch 9810, and the Flashlight 9850/9860. Conspicuously absent was the Curve, RIM's entry-level manufacturer. That has changed, however, with the release of the RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 (the Curve 9350 may be the CDMA version). It doesn't have a touch screen or the sleek industrial design of the BlackBerry Bold, but it does offer a number of improvements underneath the hood like the introduction of NFC support. Furthermore, the actual BlackBerry Curve 9360 for T-Mobile offers UMA-based Wi-Fi calling, an element that even the higher-end Bolds lack. At only $79. 99 having a two-year contract, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 is a great buy for BlackBerry enthusiasts who wish to save some money.
Design
At first glance, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 doesn't look dramatically not the same as its predecessor, the Curve 3G 9300. They are similar in size and shape, with curved corners and a compact design. If you have a closer look, however, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 is a small sleeker. The glossy black front surface now flows from the top completely to the bottom, giving the BlackBerry Curve 9360 a a lot more streamlined appearance. At 4. 3 inches long by two. 4 inches wide by 0. 4 inch thick, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 can also be noticeably slimmer and lighter. A minor complaint is that the smooth plastic feel goes completely to the back as well, which makes it feel just a little slipperier in the hand.
Another change from the old Curve is how the BlackBerry Curve 9360 has a 2. 5-inch, 480x360-pixel-resolution display. It isn't the gorgeous VGA touch screen on the Bold 9900, but it's certainly much better than the Curve 9300's 320x240-pixel display. BlackBerry 7 OS brings Liquid Graphics technology towards the BlackBerry Curve 9360 as well, which boosts the vibrancy and responsiveness from the display. Indeed, graphics and text proved to be vibrant, vibrant, and sharp. We did think the font size about the home screen was a little on the small aspect, which might not be great for those with bad eyesight. As for the Curve's lack of a touchscreen, we're not disappointed by that. The display is small enough that it has been frustrating to use, and we're fine with just while using optical touch pad for navigation.
Beneath the array is the famous Curve computer keyboard, but slightly tweaked. The keys are a hair larger and rounder than on previous models, but the overall keyboard continues to be quite small compared with the one on the Daring. Yet, because the keys are separated and raised, we'd no problem typing out messages.
On the left spine may be the Micro-USB port, while the right spine is home to a very skinny volume rocker and also a similarly slim customizable shortcut key. In fact, we think the right spine buttons are a tad too skinny. Gone are the media keys at the top--now a few 3. 5mm headset jack and a screen lock crucial, which is very similar to the Bold. The camera lens and LED flash are about the back.
Features
A lot of what sets the BlackBerry Curve 9360 aside from its predecessors is BlackBerry 7 OS. The user user interface hasn't changed much from BlackBerry 6 OS, with it's directory-based home screens and collapsible notification trays. What has really improved would be the graphics processor, a full Web browser with a just-in-time JavaScript compiler as well as full HTML 5 support, augmented-reality application support, and voice-activated common search.
Another nice feature addition courtesy of BlackBerry 7 OS is that NFC (near-field communication) has become supported on the Curve. Theoretically, NFC allows you to buy goods or services by swiping your phone over the compatible payment system, or to transfer files by touching phones because of apps like BlackBerry Tag. We weren't able to fully test NFC with this Curve, but we're happy to see RIM embrace newer technology such as this. For more about BlackBerry 7 OS, read our overview of the BlackBerry Torch 9810.
A key feature that sets the BlackBerry Curve 9360 in addition to the recent BlackBerry releases is its support for T-Mobile's UMA-based Wi-Fi phoning. Just hook up your phone to the local cellular network, and you can make and answer calls without them being deducted out of your plan's monthly allotment of minutes. We were surprised at how well it worked--we could hand off calls between Wi-Fi and regular cellular airwaves effortlessly. The BlackBerry Curve 9360 also supports GPS and Bluetooth.
E-mail alone just doesn't cut it nowadays with smartphones, so we're happy to see the Curve is preloaded with social network apps like Facebook, Twitter, and BlackBerry's own Social Feeds app that acts like a hub for RSS feeds, BBM, Facebook, Twitter, and a number of other social media outlets. BBM itself has been improved to BBM 6, which features better integration with third-party applications.
The BlackBerry Curve 9360 is otherwise the same BlackBerry because before. It has the usual productivity features like the calendar, clock, memo pad, tasks list, calculator, voice information recorder, and file manager. You do get a premium version of Documents To visit, BlackBerry Balance (which helps you balance your work as well as personal calendars), BlackBerry Protect, and a password keeper. Other apps include two games--Brick Breaker and Mole--and a few T-Mobile apps like Web2Go and T-Mobile Mall. There's a Slacker app for streaming music too. You can download more apps from BlackBerry App Globe.
The 5-megapixel camera happens to be a major upgrade over the Curve 9300's 2-megapixel model, giving very good image quality. Photos were sharp and colorful on the entire. We did detect a bit of an orange color in indoor shots, and low-light photos needed Night mode or flash generally. The BlackBerry Curve 9360 does not support 720p HD movie.
Performance
We tested the quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz) RIM BlackBerry BlackBerry Curve 9360 in Bay area using T-Mobile. Call quality was good. We enjoyed excellent clarity and volume on our end. There wasn't much distortion or background noise too.
On their end, callers too reported loud and obvious call quality. However, they did say our voice sounded just a little lower than usual. Still, there wasn't a lot associated with crackling or static, so that was a minor nitpick. Speakerphone phone calls sounded great too.
Unfortunately, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 does not really support T-Mobile's superfast HSPA+ network, but we still managed to surf the net at typical 3G speeds. We loaded the mobile CNET page in 15 seconds and also the full CNET home page loaded in around 51 mere seconds.
The BlackBerry Curve 9360 has an 800MHz processor, which is definitely an improvement over the Curve 9300's 600MHz processor. We had no problems navigating with the phone's multiple directories and apps launched with little in order to no delay.
The BlackBerry BlackBerry Curve 9360 has a rated talk time of 5 hours or more to 12 days of standby time. According to the actual FCC, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 has a digital SAR of just one. 47 watts per kilogram.
Conclusion
While the RIM BlackBerry BlackBerry Curve 9360 is really a decidedly lower-end phone than RIM's Bolds and Torches, we think it is a great option for those still loyal to the Rim brand. It comes with the company's latest mobile operating-system, BlackBerry 7 OS; it has a decent physical computer keyboard; and it's definitely an improvement over the previous Curves using its faster processor and improved feature set. It even offers support for NFC and for T-Mobile's UMA-based Wi-Fi phoning service. For only $79. 99 after a new two-year support agreement, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 is good entry-level smartphone for all those wanting to give BlackBerry 7 OS a shot.
