Differences between BlackBerry Curve 8330 and Motorola Q9h

BlackBerry Curve 8330 vs. Motorola Q9h

The BlackBerry Curve 8330 and Motorola Q9h were two smartphones from 2007 that offered full QWERTY keyboards and targeted users who prioritized messaging and data connectivity. While they shared a similar form factor, the devices differed significantly in their operating systems, network technologies, and overall user experience. The Curve 8330 was a CDMA device popular on carriers like Verizon and Sprint in North America, continuing BlackBerry's focus on enterprise and prosumer markets with its push email service. In contrast, the Motorola Q9h was a GSM/HSDPA device aimed at challenging BlackBerry's dominance by leveraging the more open Windows Mobile 6 Standard operating system.

Comparison Table

Category	BlackBerry Curve 8330	Motorola Q9h
Operating System	BlackBerry OS (v4.3)	Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard
Network Technology	CDMA with EV-DO Rev. 0 for data	GSM with HSPA (HSDPA) 3.6/0.384 Mbps for data
Processor	312 MHz Intel XScale PXA272	325 MHz TI OMAP 2420
Navigation	Trackball	5-way D-pad
Display	2.5-inch, 320x240 pixels	2.4-inch, 320x240 pixels
Wi-Fi	No	No
GPS	Yes (A-GPS)	Yes (on "global" models, e.g., AT&T version)
Camera	2 MP with LED flash and video recording	2 MP with LED flash and video recording
Headphone Jack	3.5mm jack	No dedicated headphone jack (required adapter via microUSB port)
External Storage	microSDHC up to 8 GB	microSDHC

Venn diagram comparing Differences between BlackBerry Curve 8330 and Motorola Q9h

Operating System and Software

The most significant difference between the two devices was the operating system. The BlackBerry Curve 8330 ran on the proprietary BlackBerry OS, which was highly regarded for its stability and efficient push email integration through the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) and BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS). The user interface was built around the central trackball for navigation and was optimized for productivity and messaging.

The Motorola Q9h used Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 Standard, a more open and customizable OS that mirrored a desktop PC experience more closely. This allowed for a broader range of third-party applications and more capable web browsing with browsers like Opera, which came pre-installed. It also offered document editing capabilities through Microsoft Office Mobile. However, some users found the Windows Mobile interface less intuitive for one-handed use compared to BlackBerry OS.

Hardware and Design

Both phones featured a front-facing QWERTY keyboard and a landscape-oriented 320x240 display. The Curve 8330's keyboard used distinctly separated, rounded keys, and its primary navigation tool was a central trackball, which was precise but could require cleaning. The Motorola Q9h was noted for being very thin and featured a one-piece keyboard with a 5-way directional pad for navigation instead of a trackball.

For connectivity, the Curve 8330 was a CDMA device, utilizing the EV-DO network for data, primarily available on carriers like Verizon, Sprint, and Alltel in the United States. The Q9h was a GSM phone with HSDPA support, making it a 3.5G device capable of faster data speeds on networks like AT&T. Neither model included Wi-Fi connectivity.

In terms of multimedia, both phones included a 2-megapixel camera with an LED flash and video recording capabilities. A notable hardware difference was the inclusion of a standard 3.5mm headphone jack on the Curve 8330, a consumer-friendly feature that the Q9h lacked, instead requiring an adapter for its microUSB port.