BlackBerry Curve 9320 review

RIM's latest attempt at a cheap-as-chips smartphone

BlackBerry Curve 9320 review
The definitive BlackBerry Curve 9320 review

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If you've detected a little negativity in our review, you'll not be surprised to learn that we are not overwhelmed by the BlackBerry Curve 9320.

Yes, it has some nifty little features such as the Media Server capability, the Wi-Fi hotspot and FM radio, but it lets itself down in other areas with a not-so-brilliant screen, poor memory allocation and pants video recording.

That's not to say it's rubbish, because it's not - some bits, such as the messaging capabilities and battery life, really are fantastic. It's just you get the feeling the BlackBerry Curve 9320 has tried to spread itself too thinly, but it's now down in the very lowest BB price bracket that can almost be forgiven.

We liked

It's great to see RIM thinking ahead and including new elements such as an FM Radio, wireless hotspot connectivity and even DNLA. It shows these things can be done and aren't exclusive to top-end handsets. And if they're two things you'll be using the BlackBerry Curve 9320 for, it'll pay for itself in the long run.

We disliked

But the phone lets itself down in so many other ways. Why can't RIM create a browser that works as well as other smartphones? Why does it spend so much time including pointless scene modes but omitting something as obvious as autofocus in the camera?

Once again you just get the feeling that RIM got 90 per cent of the way to developing a great phone, then the workers clocked off for the day and management marked the handset as 'ready to ship.'

Final verdict

What we like about the BlackBerry Curve 9320 is that it's honest. It's not trying to be better than it is and is quite happy to portray itself as a budget smartphone with a few little extras.

And for the people it's aimed at, those who want a phone that makes calls, sends texts/emails and has a good battery, it comes up trumps. Web browsers and cameras are nice to have, but won't swing a sale here. So on that basis, it gets a thumbs up.

And now we have the powerful sub-£100 price bracket. It's very impressive for a phone of this capability, and willl surely see it fly off the shelves - meaning it matches up to the likes of the Huawei Ascend G300.

We would recommend you buy the BlackBerry Curve 9320 now it's got the lower price point - but don't forget about the sumptious BlackBerry Curve 9360.