The BlackBerry Curve 9360 was released as a sleek-looking update to the BlackBerry Curve 9300. Its role in the BlackBerry lineup is to offer users a svelte choice for a handheld computer that won’t break the bank. With an 11mm-thin profile and sub-10g weight, it is definitely pocketable. And yet for something so sexy, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 comes with the latest version of the BlackBerry software, BlackBerry OS 7, pre-installed.
In terms of hardware features, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 is not exactly stellar. It comes with a single-core Qualcomm Snapdragon chip running at 800MHz and it has 512MB of RAM. The built-in display measures 2.44-inches diagonally and has a native resolution of 480x360 pixels plus a pixel density of 264 ppi. It has a built-in camera with a 5-megapixel sensor and accompanying flash, and it has several wireless features which include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC. Clearly, RIM won’t win any awards for the use of future-tech in the BlackBerry Curve 9360—because there’s hardly any in it. But of course, as with any other BlackBerry smartphone, its true beauty lies in how all the features come together to make the most out of the built-in messaging capabilities, most notably with BlackBerry Messenger or BBM which is now on version 6.
Although BlackBerry OS 7 has been fully optimized to work with multi-touch input, RIM did not see it fit to use a touchscreen display on the BlackBerry Curve 9360. Instead, users will have to rely on the built-in trackpad and QWERTY keyboard for menu navigation and character input. The built-in keyboard is superb, but having a touchscreen display would have added a nice touch to the overall feature set.
If the hardware needs improvement, what about the software? Well, RIM is offering users the chance to download and install additional software applications on the BlackBerry Curve 9360 via its very own app store, called BlackBerry App World. It’s interesting and covers most of the essentials, but sadly, the BlackBerry App World pales in comparison with Google’s Android Market or Apple’s iOS App Store. RIM may release a new model with better hardware features, but it’s hard to see how it can turn its luck around in the software department. Developers haven’t been as excited about RIM’s platform as they have with Apple’s or Google’s. At least you won’t have to spend more than a day trying to look for apps that you’ll never find—the BlackBerry Curve 9360’s built-in 1000mAh battery offers battery life that’s just enough for a day’s worth of heavy use.
Need to Know: BlackBerry Curve 9360
1. The BlackBerry Curve 9360’s design is very sleek, making it one of the best looking phones in the Curve series from RIM. (The Good)
2. BlackBerry OS 7 offers a remarkable browsing experience and plenty in terms of eye candy. (The Good)
3. The BlackBerry App World has a rather limited selection of apps. (The Bad)
4. Lack of a touchscreen display may be a deal breaker for Internet browsing junkies. (The Bad)
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Niall Magennis, TrustedReviewsThe Curve 9360 is a major pain to use for browsing normal websites due to its lack of touch input and small, low resolution display, so if you're looking for a phone to spend a lot of time browsing normal sites there are several budget Android models that would better fit the bill. However, if you'r...
- GSMArena Team, GSMArenaComfortably compact and impressively slim, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 looks good and works hard to meet your needs. The newly-found skill makes it the definitive upgrade for anyone coming from a previous generation of the Curves. Even Bold 9700 and 9780 owners, who are trying to steer clear of touchs...
- Zachary Lutz, EngadgetFrom a technical and innovation standpoint, RIM's current product lineup is running on fumes. In an era when all that keeps the company going is the existing goodwill of its most dedicated users and a vault of cash reserves, it can't afford to release products that further alienate its customer base...
- Gareth Beavis, T3The Curve 9360 might have a few foibles here and there, but on the whole it’s a top quality smartphone with sumptuous lines, a feather-light chassis and some future-proofing thanks to the inclusion of the beepy NFC technology.It lacks the power and prowess of its bigger brother, the Bold 9900 - but...
- Nicole Lee, CnetWhile the RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 is a decidedly lower-end phone than RIM's Bolds and Torches, we think it's a great option for those still loyal to the BlackBerry brand. It comes with the company's latest mobile operating system, BlackBerry 7 OS; it has a decent physical keyboard; and it's defini...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the BlackBerry Curve 9360 user manual here.
BlackBerry backs up the Curve 9360 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Curve 9360 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact BlackBerry support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find BlackBerry's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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