Note: We may earn commissions (at no cost to you) if you buy through links on our site. Learn more.
NOTE: This model is discontinued and may no longer be available to purchase new. See the latest cell phones or compare used prices.

BlackBerry Curve 9360 review

6.7/10 AVG.
RATING
Compare Compare  
Compare Compare  

BlackBerry Curve 9360
BlackBerry Curve 9360
BlackBerry Curve 9360
BlackBerry Curve 9360
...


6.7/10
Informr score
The BlackBerry Curve 9360 currently has an Informr score of 6.7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 17 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The BlackBerry Curve 9360 was released as a sleek-looking update to the BlackBerry Curve 9300. Its role in the BlackBerry lineup is to offer users a svelte choice for a handheld computer that won’t break the bank. With an 11mm-thin profile and sub-10g weight, it is definitely pocketable. And yet for something so sexy, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 comes with the latest version of the BlackBerry software, BlackBerry OS 7, pre-installed.

In terms of hardware features, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 is not exactly stellar. It comes with a single-core Qualcomm Snapdragon chip running at 800MHz and it has 512MB of RAM. The built-in display measures 2.44-inches diagonally and has a native resolution of 480x360 pixels plus a pixel density of 264 ppi. It has a built-in camera with a 5-megapixel sensor and accompanying flash, and it has several wireless features which include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC. Clearly, RIM won’t win any awards for the use of future-tech in the BlackBerry Curve 9360—because there’s hardly any in it. But of course, as with any other BlackBerry smartphone, its true beauty lies in how all the features come together to make the most out of the built-in messaging capabilities, most notably with BlackBerry Messenger or BBM which is now on version 6.

Although BlackBerry OS 7 has been fully optimized to work with multi-touch input, RIM did not see it fit to use a touchscreen display on the BlackBerry Curve 9360. Instead, users will have to rely on the built-in trackpad and QWERTY keyboard for menu navigation and character input. The built-in keyboard is superb, but having a touchscreen display would have added a nice touch to the overall feature set.

If the hardware needs improvement, what about the software? Well, RIM is offering users the chance to download and install additional software applications on the BlackBerry Curve 9360 via its very own app store, called BlackBerry App World. It’s interesting and covers most of the essentials, but sadly, the BlackBerry App World pales in comparison with Google’s Android Market or Apple’s iOS App Store. RIM may release a new model with better hardware features, but it’s hard to see how it can turn its luck around in the software department. Developers haven’t been as excited about RIM’s platform as they have with Apple’s or Google’s. At least you won’t have to spend more than a day trying to look for apps that you’ll never find—the BlackBerry Curve 9360’s built-in 1000mAh battery offers battery life that’s just enough for a day’s worth of heavy use.

Need to Know: BlackBerry Curve 9360

1. The BlackBerry Curve 9360’s design is very sleek, making it one of the best looking phones in the Curve series from RIM. (The Good)

2. BlackBerry OS 7 offers a remarkable browsing experience and plenty in terms of eye candy. (The Good)

3. The BlackBerry App World has a rather limited selection of apps. (The Bad)

4. Lack of a touchscreen display may be a deal breaker for Internet browsing junkies. (The Bad)


BlackBerry
Operating system
Operating system
BlackBerry
800 MHz
Processor
Processor
800 MHz
2.44"
Screen Size
Screen Size
2.44"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
1000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


TrustedReviews
TrustedReviews

The Curve 9360 is a major pain to use for browsing normal websites due to its lack of touch input and small, low resolution display, so if you're looking for a phone to spend a lot of time browsing normal sites there are several budget Android models that would better fit the bill. However, if you'r...

- Niall Magennis, TrustedReviews
GSMArena
GSMArena

Comfortably compact and impressively slim, the BlackBerry Curve 9360 looks good and works hard to meet your needs. The newly-found skill makes it the definitive upgrade for anyone coming from a previous generation of the Curves. Even Bold 9700 and 9780 owners, who are trying to steer clear of touchs...

- GSMArena Team, GSMArena
Engadget
Engadget

From a technical and innovation standpoint, RIM's current product lineup is running on fumes. In an era when all that keeps the company going is the existing goodwill of its most dedicated users and a vault of cash reserves, it can't afford to release products that further alienate its customer base...

- Zachary Lutz, Engadget
T3
T3

The Curve 9360 might have a few foibles here and there, but on the whole it’s a top quality smartphone with sumptuous lines, a feather-light chassis and some future-proofing thanks to the inclusion of the beepy NFC technology.It lacks the power and prowess of its bigger brother, the Bold 9900 - but...

- Gareth Beavis, T3
Cnet
Cnet

While the RIM BlackBerry Curve 9360 is a decidedly lower-end phone than RIM's Bolds and Torches, we think it's a great option for those still loyal to the BlackBerry brand. It comes with the company's latest mobile operating system, BlackBerry 7 OS; it has a decent physical keyboard; and it's defini...

- Nicole Lee, Cnet


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the BlackBerry Curve 9360 user manual here.


BlackBerry backs up the Curve 9360 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Curve 9360 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact BlackBerry support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find BlackBerry's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




Resources


Manuals / User Guides Helpful Links Share / Embed

Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.


Quick view

Screen Size
2.44"

The BlackBerry Curve 9360's screen size is 2.44 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
800 MHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 800 MHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
5+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 5+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
512 MB

Internal memory is 512 MB. An external, MicroSD (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1000mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1000 mAh battery. BlackBerry's performance ratings are 14 days standby time.

Curve 9360 Specs

Overview
Release Date September 16, 2011
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System No

Compare BlackBerry Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 800 MHz
Internal Storage 512 MB
RAM 512 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 1.5 W/kg
Body: 0.88 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, DUN, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD (up to 32 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
4x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, ASF, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
VGA (640 x 480 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 2.44 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1000 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Up to 14 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Unknown
Colors Black, White, Pink, Ruby Red
Dimensions [H x W x D] 10.9 x 6.0 x 1.1 cm (4.3 x 2.4 x 0.4 in)
Weight 99 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY
Navigation Type Optical pad
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, AIM, Yahoo, Windows Live, Google Talk, Blackberry
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: No
Voicemail Key: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
PC Synchronization: OTA
Java Application: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, AAC, AMR, WMA, WAV, QCP, OGG
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, ASF, AVI
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Wi-fi Encryption: WPA/WPA2
Games: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): BlackBerry Apollo
Related Links Manual (PDF)
BlackBerry Curve 9360 Reviews
Where to buy BlackBerry Curve 9360
Suggest a correction