BlackBerry 8800 series

The corporate BlackBerry 8800 series, which debuted between the Pearl and the Curve, consists of the BlackBerry 8800, 8820 and 8830. The original BlackBerry 8800 was released with AT&T in 2007 (Cingular at the time) and subsequently released on T-Mobile. This model has been largely replaced by the 8820 and is currently only available through third-party sellers. The 8820 adds Wi-Fi connectivity to the mix and is exclusive to AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon and Sprint users get the BlackBerry 8830, sometimes referred to as the World Edition, because both versions offer compatibility with GSM networks abroad and CDMA networks in the U.S. Verizon's model has internal GSM circuitry, while the Sprint model is even more flexible, allowing you to swap out SIM cards when abroad. These are not truly unlocked phones though and will not work with U.S GSM networks. Verizon's BlackBerry Storm 9530 (*est. $200 with a two-year contract) is also a dual CDMA/GSM phone.

The 8800 series is definitely angled toward serious business types, although it does have a media player. None of the 8800 models have a camera though, so it's a good option for workplaces where cameraphones are banned. Like all BlackBerry models, the 8800 series excels at messaging. Complaints about the series include an inconveniently placed card slot (underneath the battery cover) and the lack of dedicated media controls. The 8800 and 8820 from AT&T offer push-to-talk capability. BlackBerry's Curve and Bold are the 8800's biggest competitors. The Curve has better integrated multimedia offerings, while the Bold is compatible with AT&T's high speed 3G network, so it's a pro at multitasking.

Reviewers were impressed with the BlackBerry 8800 upon its release, especially its excellent battery life, but most prefer the Curve now. CNET's Bonnie Cha says that the 8800 "brings the sexier look and versatility of the Pearl to a full QWERTY device" but complains about the placement of the microSD slot and the lack of external media controls. PCMag.com's Sascha Segan isn't blown away by the 8820's Wi-Fi implementation, but overall he's pleased with the phone. Still, he offers the BlackBerry Curve as a good alternative. Mark Spoonauer of Laptop Magazine gives the BlackBerry 8820 four out of five stars and says it's a "solid choice" for AT&T users, but T-Mobile subscribers might want to wait. That advice turns out to be solid itself, as the newly released BlackBerry Curve 8900, now exclusively with T-Mobile, improves on most of the 8800 series' features. Still, those looking for a smartphone without a camera should consider the 8820 or 8830. Likewise, frequent travelers might be interested in the 8830's capacity as a world phone.