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Photos: RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition (Verizon Wireless)

For the globe-trotting executive, the dual-mode RIM BlackBerry 8830 offers seamless international roaming as it automatically switches between GSM and CDMA networks. Here's a hands-on look at this sexy world traveler.

CNET Reviews staff
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1 of 9 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
The RIM BlackBerry 8830 for Verizon Wireless is a dual-mode CDMA/GSM smart phone designed for those who frequently travel overseas for business or pleasure.
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2 of 9 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
Aside from the dual-mode functionality, the 8830 is very much like its GSM-only cousin, the RIM BlackBerry 8800 for Cingular/AT&T and T-Mobile. The 8830 does shed the all-black casing for a sleek silver one.
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3 of 9 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
At 4.4 inches long by 2.6 inches wide by 0.5 inch thick and weighing 4.6 ounces, the 8830 is certainly one of the bigger BlackBerrys we've seen in a while. By comparison, the RIM BlackBerry 8700c measures 4.3 inches by 2.7 inches by 0.7 inch, and the BlackBerry Curve measures 4.2 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.6 inch.
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4 of 9 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
Like all BlackBerrys, the 8830 doesn't have a touch screen, but we found it easy enough to operate the device using the provided navigation controls.
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5 of 9 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
Though it's on the larger side, the BlackBerry 8830 is still light enough that you won't have any problem carrying it around in a bag.
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6 of 9 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
Not only is the BlackBerry 8830 (left) more full-featured than the BlackBerry Curve (right), it's also quite a bit bigger.
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7 of 9 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
Like the BlackBerry 8800, the BlackBerry 8830's full QWERTY keyboard suffers from some slippery buttons, and we wish there was more spacing between the keys.
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8 of 9 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
The BlackBerry 8830 comes with a SIM card and automatically switches between CDMA and GSM networks to offer seamless international roaming. This allows you to get voice coverage in 157 countries (22 of those on CDMA) and e-mail coverage in 62 countries.
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9 of 9 Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks
Like all the latest BlackBerrys, the 8830 features a trackball navigator that allows for easy four-way scrolling.

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