BlackBerry Curve 9370 Review

Verizon’s launched the umpteenth BlackBerry Curve device, this one with BlackBerry OS 7– the latest from RIM. It’s essentially the same as the T-Mobile version and Sprint version we reviewed already. Although, there are even more cosmetic differences. How does it fare? Scroll through the break for our full BriefMobile review.

• 2.4-inch HVGA+ LCD display
• 480 x 360 pixel resolution
• 16-million colors
• BlackBerry 7 operating system
• 5-megapixel camera
• 2x digital zoom
• LED flash
• Video recording
• 800 MHz processor
• 512 MB internal storage
• 2 GB microSD card included
• 4.3-inches x 2.4-inches x 0.4-inches (11-millimeters thick)

RIM’s BlackBerry Curve 9370 display was bright and clear. The HVGA+ LCD is saturated well and fairly clear of pixelation. It’s not as clear as the iPhone’s retina display, and it isn’t as well saturated as the Galaxy Nexus. Still, there’s not much to complain about in terms of screen quality.

Having said that, I must take issue with the size of the display. It’s just too small for today’s mobile users. The market’s changed, and consumers have spoken. Bigger screens offer more real estate and better viewing experiences. There’s certainly a place on the market for small screen devices like the Curve. But, if RIM’s going to throw us a 2.4-inch display, at least pump up the resolution so that we can see more than one-twentieth of a webpage at a time.

When there’s no touchscreen scrolling, trackpad swiping can get tiresome. Since the resolution of the display is so low, expect to overwork those thumbs while moving around the web.

The Curve 9370 doesn’t stray from the designs of the previously released Curve devices on Sprint and T-Mobile. Up front, the Curve sports a polycarbonate undercarriage and keyboard with glass upper half and display. As with most of RIM’s BlackBerry devices, the keyboard’s a portrait QWERTY with slightly raised, somewhat angled keys.

There’s a button combination with trackpad including answer call, menu, back, and end call buttons. As always, the trackpad was responsive enough. But, it doesn’t exactly meet the touchscreen standard.

Unlocking the device is done up top with a full-width button. Unfortunately, the power button can be difficult to turn on— it’s not clicky enough, and it’s located in a position that forces an awkwardly curved index finger. Volume and camera buttons aren’t much easier to press either— they’re small and not clicky enough.

Around back, the device includes a silicone-covered plastic battery casing. The BlackBerry logo shines brightly with a chrome finish that truly heightens the aesthetic.

With an 800 MHz processor, an Android device would bog down and freeze constantly. On the BlackBerry 7 OS, 800 MHz on a single-core is more than enough. Performance is more than acceptable, although there were roughly three or four times in which the browser or other applications completely froze.

Unfortunately, the device is limited to Verizon 3G speeds. In the world of 4G LTE, RIM must adapt. 3G speeds are simply not acceptable anymore.

Battery life on Verizon’s Curve 9370 is roughly the same as many other smartphones on the market. It lasts a full day when used properly, but it won’t go any longer. It’s not as long-lasting as other RIM devices.

RIM’s BlackBerry 7 operating system is woefully outdated— far behind Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Thankfully, the unified homescreen application makes things a bit easier. Settings and applications are just one swipe away. The quick search button allows users to find anything— contacts, emails, applications, and more.

Still, there’s not much to like on the aged BlackBerry OS. Compared to the Apple AppStore or Android market, the BlackBerry App World has very few quality applications. Those that do exist are extremely poor— with outdated user interfaces and endless End User Licensing Agreements.

That’s one of the plagues of BB7— there’s simply too much text and not enough of a graphical interface.

This may be RIM’s last BlackBerry 7 device with newer BB10 phones coming out soon. I certainly don’t want to beat a dead horse, but I cannot recommend any BlackBerry 7 device over an iPhone, Windows Phone, or Android phone. With a BlackBerry App World that’s struggling to compete, a text-laden interface, and the endless EULA agreements, the BlackBerry 7 OS remains horribly outdated.

RIM’s Curve 9370 is just another under-powered, small-screened, antiquated BlackBerry device. Unless you’re absolutely locked in to the BlackBerry ecosystem, then the Curve isn’t for you.