The Storm didn’t do Research In Motion many favours when it came to taking on the iPhone directly, but new figures from The NPD Group suggest that might not be where the BlackBerry manufacturer’s strengths are to be found.

The BlackBerry Curve was the most popular smartphone in the US during the first quarter, with two more RIM handsets also making it into the top five - granting BlackBerry a 50 per cent share of the smartphone market.

Despite the massive popularity of the iPhone, the reason it’s only moving half the number of units as BlackBerry is managing is likely due to the overall availability of RIM’s products.

There’s been a lot of news lately focusing on what Apple’s going to do once AT&T’s exclusivity agreement runs out, and it’ll undoubtedly be looking toward the BlackBerry range for marketing inspiration.

RIM devices are available on four of the US’s major carriers, and network exclusivity is a well known sticking point when it comes to sales. Once the iPhone sees the kind of freedom BlackBerry is graced with, the real competitions will indubitably begin.

Q1 smartphone top five:

1. BlackBerry Curve


2. iPhone 3G


3. BlackBerry Storm


4. BlackBerry Pearl


5. T-Mobile G1