RIP BlackBerry: A timeline of each outstanding BlackBerry cell we reviewed

OPINION: Noughties mobile company BlackBerry rang in 2022 on a bitter word when it announced that it might at last be ending help for its BlackBerry OS application from January 4. 

This skill that smartphones working BlackBerry 7.1 OS and BlackBerry 10 and tablets in response to BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 will now not make calls, send texts or access Wi-Fi and cellular facts, rendering any of the company's contraptions not running Android very nearly lifeless. 

It feels complicated to believe that BlackBerry turned into as soon as one of the vital frequent cell brands round, with its height hitting in 2011 when it reportedly offered greater than 50 million devices and pinging your associates on BBM was the fastest option to get their attention. 

however, it wasn't long before Apple's iPhone and Google's Android platform took over in earnings, shoving BlackBerry out of the spotlight as rapidly as it entered. 

With BlackBerry ultimately pulling the plug on its tons-loved OS in 2022, we've taken a look lower back at all the superior telephones the brand launched over its lifetime. each telephone on this checklist become validated by means of an expert on relied on reviews on the time of liberate and scored four/5 or over.

T-mobile BlackBerry 8700 (2006)

The T-mobile version of the BlackBerry 8700 was the first BlackBerry mobile to benefit 4 stars that we reviewed here at trusted experiences all of the means returned in 2006.

back then, BlackBerry become basically prevalent amongst businessmen and women trying to live connected to work while out and about and become already gaining prominence as a standing image. 

"A BlackBerry is pretty much like a measure of significance – the extra emails that you simply obtain and need to respond to when you're out of the office, the extra critical you surely need to be", wrote Riyad Emeran in our assessment. 

What the reviewer stated:

"The BlackBerry 8700 is essentially the most achieved handset that RIM has produced to this point, however it finds itself balancing between two camps. On one hand it wants to be a heavy duty corporate device, but on another it offers great features and value for cash for the small businesses and individuals. I still firmly accept as true with that there is room for 2 BlackBerry fashions – a company unit and a extra client focused version, complete with digicam, full Bluetooth functionality and even Wi-Fi. as it stands even though, the 8700 is the foremost choice if you'd like your e-mail despatched to your pocket".

score: 4/5

BlackBerry 7130g (2006)

That equal month, we took a glance on the BlackBerry 7130g – a slimmer smartphone with it's QWERTY keyboard jammed into fewer keys. 

Our reviewer praised BlackBerry (then RIM) for designing a mobile that looked greater graceful and chic than old BlackBerry handsets. although, he additionally noted that it wouldn't win any splendor contests compared with the Motorola V3 RAZR, which may still provide you with a good idea of what the enterprise became up towards at the time. 

What the reviewer mentioned:

"The 7130g is a pretty good handset and easily the optimum that RIM has produced so far. I've been the use of it for the previous few weeks and found it to be an outstanding cell companion, and not just for e mail. the scale and design make it a superbly usable cell phone, while facets like the integrated Google Maps and fast internet looking make it extremely versatile".

rating: 4/5

BlackBerry Pearl (2007) 

A yr later, BlackBerry launched the Pearl in an attempt to flow faraway from its recognition as a enterprise smartphone. 

like the 7130g, the Pearl lacked the total QWERTY keyboard discovered on wider BlackBerry telephones, with the company opting to use its SureType predictive typing device to hold the design slim. The Pearl won its namesake from the rollerball above the keyboard, allowing clients to scroll and click on very at once. 

What the reviewer said:

"As a consumer device, it's a particular success. It's slim, it appears super, ticks the entire right packing containers and adds the killer instant email feature. For children who're on e-mail all the time, its a superb function – and the indisputable fact that RIM is already starting to ship truckloads of these things looks to again that up. however e mail as a personal tool is on its way out, with social networks and fast messenger swiftly taking its region. Couple that with the fact the media performance is normal and it looks like a pony that does one trick smartly and merely nuzzles at a few others".

ranking: four/5

BlackBerry Curve 8300 (2007) 

The BlackBerry Curve 8300 marked our first 4.5 big name assessment of a BlackBerry cell and, as reviewer Sandra Vogel cited at the time, the business seemed to be on a roll. 

The Curve 8300 featured the whole QWERTY keyboard and appeared an awful lot like the older BlackBerry 8800, albeit smaller and with the GPS antenna swapped out for a Bluetooth GPS antenna, enabling for flip with the aid of flip navigation on BlackBerry Maps. 

The mobile still lacked Wi-Fi and 3G, even though this wasn't precisely unbelievable given it became 2007. 

What the reviewer said:

"The Curve is definitely a neat little BlackBerry, small and lightweight, and comfortable to make use of. I'd have liked Wi-Fi and 3G however as a minimum RIM is obviously working complicated at establishing its multimedia capabilities. For a primary effort in that respect the Curve does relatively smartly".

ranking: four.5/5

BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (2007) 

The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 changed into the 2nd four.5 celebrity BlackBerry we reviewed and the first in the Pearl line to rating so totally. 

The 8120 was a big development on the normal Pearl, bringing with it a slim design, smarter SureType, a three.5mm headphone jack and Wi-Fi (though nevertheless no 3G). The Pearl additionally had a better digicam and turned into able to recording video for the first time. 

What the reviewer mentioned:

"With the Pearl 8120, RIM is obviously trying to push extra into the customer's attention and hold its company fans too. The equipment doesn't go a long way enough to seize all consumers – the place's the 3G and the oodles of inside memory, as an instance? nonetheless it does demonstrate that RIM is making an attempt more durable than ever to escape of its 'companies simplest' field. Design-sensible it's on the button. elements-sensible there is still a little manner to head. And as a whole, it's actually informed".

ranking: 4.5/5

BlackBerry daring 9000 (2008)

The BlackBerry daring 9000 became the first daring BlackBerry made and an additional 4.5 famous person smartphone for the brand. 

The daring protected a full QWERTY keyboard design, a glossy plastic front and a faux leather-based returned. The monitor changed into the identical decision as Apple's iPhone at the time (480 x 320) and the mobilephone featured quick GPS positioning and a three.5mm headphone jack. 

What the reviewer referred to:

"If cellular e-mail is your leading concern, the daring does the job superbly, similar to every BlackBerry earlier than it. The handset itself is additionally neatly designed, essential to use and stacked full of facets – the three.5mm headphone jack is exceptionally good to peer. Throw in that awesome reveal and lightning fast GPS positioning and it's clear that RIM has produced one other winner".

score: four.5/5

BlackBerry Storm (2008) 

The subsequent three phones we reviewed from BlackBerry all got four stars, marking a slight dip in its four.5 celebrity streak. but still, none strayed into 3 and even 3.5 celebrity territory because the manufacturer endured to develop in recognition and introduce extra lines. 

The BlackBerry Storm was perhaps essentially the most extremely anticipated of these as this become the first BlackBerry with a touchscreen display. 

whereas there changed into whatever extraordinary about seeing a BlackBerry and not using a actual QWERTY keyboard and the model lacked Wi-Fi, the Storm become usual a large success, cementing BlackBerry's position as a real rival to Apple's iPhone and Android models on the time.

What the reviewer spoke of:

"RIM may still be very happy with the BlackBerry Storm. due to the fact that that this is the first touchscreen BlackBerry, it's a shockingly achieved machine, and one that's frequently a pleasure to use. however there are considerations with the Storm like the lack of Wi-Fi, temperamental accelerometer and disappointing battery life that take off one of the vital shine. regardless of these complications, the Storm is still the closest actual competitor to Apple's iPhone viewed to this point. Couple that with the legendary BlackBerry e mail customer and that i can see the Storm doing very smartly certainly".

rating: four/5

BlackBerry Curve 8900 (2009) 

The BlackBerry Curve 8900 changed into an replace to the Curve line that seemed physically similar to its predecessors however with a handful of improvements, together with a slimmer design, a sleeker finish, a silent mode switch and a three.5mm headphone jack. 

nonetheless no 3G, though. 

What the reviewer talked about:

"The Curve 8900 is a important successor to the previous fashions in RIM's Curve latitude. this is since the business has managed to preserve the DNA that made those devices so frequent whereas additionally adding some neat extras into the mix such because the classier appears, faster processor and sharper screen. sure, the lack of 3G is a disappointment, however whereas it will be a deal breaker on a lesser handset, on the 8900 it's quite simply just a little of a distraction"

rating: four/5

BlackBerry Curve 8520 (2009) 

BlackBerry also launched the Curve 8520 in 2009, offering the spectacular e mail features BlackBerry was usual for, along with a protracted battery existence and an easy interface for much less funds than many flagship phones cost on the time. 

What the reviewer mentioned:

"The BlackBerry Curve 8250 is actually a bit easy on points, with 3G and GPS the most severe omissions, but the mobilephone nevertheless manages to rise above these limitations. It's the aggregate of its marvelous e-mail features, lengthy battery life and easy to make use of interface that make it so likeable and due to this fact we believe it's a sensible choice for those who need more than a common cell, but haven't acquired the money to move the iPhone or HTC Hero route".

score: four/5

BlackBerry bold 9700 (2009) 

After a disappointing blip with the BlackBerry Storm 2, BlackBerry launched an extra four.5 star daring, the BlackBerry bold 9700. 

The bold 9700 turned into a welcome replace to the bold line a year after the primary. BlackBerry decreased its divisive fake leather returned to a small patch and shrunk the phone down in dimension. 

regardless of its more toned-down appearance, the bold endured to present an honest alternative of facets, together with a good monitor and keyboard and the addition of the Pearl's trackball. The bold 9700 marked the ultimate mobile to get a 4.5 star ranking here at relied on stories.

What the reviewer pointed out:

"The Blackberry bold 9700 may additionally now not have reasonably the diverse vogue of the bold 9000 but in every different sense it's a useful successor. It's smartly made, feels first-rate in the hand, has a fine screen and keyboard, and the brand new optical trackpad is as a minimum equal to the outgoing trackball".

ranking: four.5/5

BlackBerry Pearl 3G 9105 (2010) 

The Pearl 3G 9105 was a 3G-supported Pearl mobile added in 2010. 

This launch was strange as BlackBerry selected to unlock two different keyboards reckoning on your place – shoppers in the UK obtained a common numerical keyboard, whereas clients within the US received a hybrid QWERTY keyboard.

We awarded the uk edition four stars. notwithstanding it was much less appropriate to typing out long emails than its US counterpart, the Pearl 3G 9105 remained a trendy telephone with high-quality connectivity and features. 

What the reviewer noted:

"As you might expect, the lack of a QWERTY keyboard ability the Pearl 3G isn't exactly a great cell to use for tapping out longer emails, so if you're used to the keyboard to your latest BlackBerry then this isn't the handset to improve to. although, the cell is obviously targeted at folks that want a smartphone that doesn't appear to be a smartphone, but still retains the entire same functionality".

score: four/5

BlackBerry daring 9900 (2011)

BlackBerry peaked in income in 2011 and, searching back at our experiences from the time, we are able to see why. We demonstrated out six BlackBerry contraptions in 2011 (including two sliding telephones from the BlackBerry Torch line) and only 1 impressed us adequate to win 4 stars. It appeared BlackBerry's reign was coming to an end. 

The BlackBerry daring 9900 became the superior BlackBerry we noticed launch that year and it was a pretty good one. The phone packed a superb keyboard, outstanding efficiency, an outstanding touchscreen and new application, even though even in 2011 our reviewer cited it couldn't fairly stack up to what Apple and Android phones have been providing on the time.

What the reviewer talked about:

"The BlackBerry bold 9900 is only about the excellent improve for existing BlackBerry clients, assuming you can live with the moderate drop in battery lifestyles. The keyboard's magnificent, the touchscreen's incredible, efficiency is stellar, and the brand new utility adds an awful lot too. What's more the boundaries received't think as such in case you're used to outdated BlackBerrys. however, in case you're taking a look at this mobile as easily the most desirable RIM currently has to compete with the iPhones and Androids of this world, then it doesn't reasonably stack up. yes, loads of its limitations are easily right down to kind factor however even so the screen is small, the camera isn't as much as snuff, and the choice of apps is woeful".

ranking: 4/5

BlackBerry PlayBook (2012) 

Amid a huge number of disappointing smartphones, BlackBerry launched an update to its PlayBook pill line in 2012 that provided web shopping, video and e mail features for just £169.

however, the manufacturer struggled to present the app guide attainable on iPads and Android capsules. 

What the reviewer observed:

"So what's the last verdict on the PlayBook and its 2.0 replace? well, at £169 BlackBerry has actually obtained the pricing right, and with these basic elements like electronic mail now onboard, it may possibly simplest be considered a discount, even simply as a glorified transportable video participant and internet searching tool. although, it nonetheless continues to be to be viewed if that app support will arrive to make this and future BlackBerry pills genuine competitors with the iPads and Androids of this world, or if it's all too little too late".

ranking: four/5

BlackBerry Priv (2015) 

After years of BlackBerry 10 phones that didn't impress and the unencumber of extra enterprise-minded phones just like the BlackBerry Passport, BlackBerry made an effort to bounce lower back in 2015 with a renewed focal point on safety and the assist of the Android working equipment. 

The BlackBerry Priv became a success, however a pricey one when you consider that its competition at this point.

What the reviewer referred to:

"The Priv is the most reliable BlackBerry cellphone in over half a decade, however its efficiency doesn't justify its rate tag".

rating: four/5

BlackBerry DTEK60 (2016) 

A year later, BlackBerry released one other terrific, safety-ahead Android telephone with the BlackBerry DTEK60. The DTEK60 featured a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED screen and a 21-megapixel camera, together with a greater cost-effective price. 

What the reviewer said:

"The DTEK60 is a different jump lower back to kind for BlackBerry, and a fine mid-latitude mobile".

ranking: four/5

BlackBerry action (2017) 

while BlackBerry attempted to carry returned the daring keyboard in 2016 with the launch of the BlackBerry KEYone (and once more in 2017, with the Key2), neither quite landed the way the BlackBerry movement did in 2017. 

The motion rounds off our checklist because the ultimate exceptional BlackBerry mobilephone, earning 4 stars from us. while the BlackBerry identify become now not specially significant 5 years in the past, the motion offered a cheap and purposeful alternative for those in want of a legit smartphone with an extended battery existence.

What the reviewer noted:

"an exceptional Android smartphone for these tired of their mobile's battery running out before 10pm".

ranking: four/5