BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330 (Sprint)

With its "solid feature set" and "great call quality," says Nicole Lee of CNET, the BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330 for Sprint is an affordable choice for those who need robust messaging and talk features combined with a physical QWERTY keyboard. Similar to previous Curve models, such as the Curve 8530, the Curve 9330 has one important difference: It will receive an upgrade to the new BlackBerry Operating System 6 as soon as Sprint enables it. This new operating system, unavailable on earlier models of the phone, will have an improved browser and media support, says Sascha Segan of PCMag.com, as well as "potentially better third-party apps." Verizon's BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330 will also receive the OS upgrade; see our separate review for more details.

Sprint's Curve 9330 differs from the Verizon phone when it comes to apps. Gone are the Verizon apps and bloatware, replaced with the Sprint Music Store and Sprint TV. Sports fans can enjoy Nascar Sprint Cup Mobile and Sprint Football Live. The Curve also includes a music player, video player and external media buttons on top for quick control while listening. Like the Verizon version, the Curve has a 2-megapixel camera, but it is merely "mediocre," Lee says.

Our sources review both the Sprint and Verizon versions of the BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330. CNET discusses design and technical features of the phone and puts its battery and camera through rigorous testing. PCMag.com gives a brief rundown of the phone, noting it is only a "minor" change from the BlackBerry Curve 8530.