Latest BlackBerry devices (photos)

There was a time not long ago when all versions of the BlackBerry looked more or less the same. But in the last few years, our friends north of the border have ramped up their innovation skills with a slew of new models that include fresh designs and features, giving you the freedom to select a model that's right for you. Here is the latest crop of devices from RIM.
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RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 (Sprint)

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 adds Wi-Fi and doubles the onboard memory. The smartphone offers world-roaming capabilities, strong messaging features, and a solid keyboard.

The bad: Clunky Web browser.

The bottom line: Though nothing revolutionary, the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 brings some welcome additions and offers Sprint customers a solid messaging world phone.

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 features a sleeker design than its predecessor and adds a 3.5mm headphone jack, a responsive optical trackpad, and an extrasharp display. The smartphone is fast and offers the full range of wireless options and robust messaging capabilities.

The bad: The BlackBerry browser lags behind the competition in terms of usability and features. You can only download apps to the phone's main memory.

The bottom line: Though Web browsing is not its forte, the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 is one of the most powerful and best messaging smartphones in AT&T's lineup

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520 features a responsive optical touchpad and dedicated media controls. The smartphone also offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera, and good call quality.

The bad: Lacks 3G support and GPS. You can only save downloaded apps to the phone's main memory.

The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a sleek entry-level smartphone that delivers some nice design enhancements and great performance. While available directly from T-Mobile, Wal-Mart offers the better value on the smartphone.

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 adds Wi-Fi, more memory, and an updated operating system that brings a number of feature and user interface enhancements. The revamped SurePress touch screen allows for more precision, key rollover, and limited multitouch capabilities.

The bad: BlackBerry browser isn't on par with the competition. While improved, the touch screen still takes some acclimation.

The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 brings some welcome additions, such as Wi-Fi, updated software, and a better touch interface, but it's going to face some serious competition from Verizon's upcoming touch-screen smartphones.

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 offers a sleeker design and a vibrant display. The smartphone features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, and brings new productivity tools, a full HTML Web browser, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. There's also support for the BlackBerry App World and AT&T Navigator.

The bad: The BlackBerry Curve 8900 lacks 3G.

The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 brings a number of improvements and additions to make it a nice upgrade to the Curve 8300 series. That said, AT&T offers other QWERTY smartphones that include 3G support and for less.

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8530 offers ease of use and a compact design. Its features include Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS, and a 2-megapixel camera.

The bad: The smartphone feels a bit cheap and it has a low-resolution screen. Its call quality could be better.

The bottom line: Some design issues aside, the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8530 is a great value for Sprint customers looking for an entry-level smartphone.

The good: The RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 offers 3G, GPS, good call quality, and BlackBerry's strong e-mail capabilities. The clamshell smartphone also has a 2-megapixel camera and supports BlackBerry App World.

The bad: The smartphone lacks Wi-Fi, and the SureType keyboard takes some acclimation and isn't ideal for heavy e-mail users.

The bottom line: While not the flashiest or the most feature-rich device, the RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip for Verizon Wireless is a decent and affordable choice for first-time smartphone buyers.