According to a list compiled by AvianResearch, RIM’s Blackberry Curve is the most popular mobile phone in retail stores, with Apple’s iPhone 3G sliding in at second place. Really, this one should be obvious.

As each year advances, mobile phones become more and more sophisticated, morphing from the old-school flip designs of yesteryear to sophisticated, handheld computers capable of writing documents, playing detailed games and rendering high-resolution video. As of late, it’s easy to debate on whether RIM’s Blackberry Curve is better than Apple’s iPhone: both have their strengths and weaknesses. While the Blackbery Curve reaches out to the executive offering secure business solutions and a full QWERTY keyboard, the iPhone offers a plethora of tools that propel it beyond any kind of “mobile phone” classification. Both devices allow users to install applications, watch television shows, and check email online.

However, according to December numbers compiled by AvianResearch, RIM’s Blackberry Curve came out on top while Apple’s iPhone ranked in at a close second. And even while consumers might actually prefer the RIM smartphone because of features and functionality, it’s certainly clear that the Curve has an advantage over Apple’s iPhone simply due to availability. While AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and other carriers currently offer the BlachBerry Curve, AT&T mobility is the only carrier to offer Apple’s iPhone. Additionally, consumers wanting the features of the iPhone -but not wanting a long-term commitment with AT&T nor the actual phone functionality- can actually purchase the iPod Touch 2G (2nd Generation) and enjoy the shared technology.

With that said, the BlackBerry Curve is a bit more accessible on the mobile phone market, giving it an edge over Apple’s highly coveted device. AvianResearch’s statistics actually stem from responses given by 100 service representatives and store managers via AvianResearch’s Monthly Retail Store Survey, covering all four US wireless service providers (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint Nextel) who, in turn, account for 85 percent of all wireless subscribers. The statistics provided by the survey, however, actually have nothing to do with sales figures, and are solely based on popularity.

In addition to the BlackBerry Curve and Apple iPhone, RIM’s BlackBerry Storm appeared on the list at #3, currently available at Verizon Wireless. LG holds the next two spots, with the Voyager sliding into 4th place and the Dare slotting into the fifth position, both also at Verizon Wireless. RIM’s third entry in the popularity contest rides in a #6 with the hit mobile phone “BlackBerry Bold” courtesy of AT&T Mobility. Samsung dominates the next three listings with its Rant, Behold and Instinct, while the bottom-feeder LG Env2 from Verizon Wireless lands in the 10th position.

But even though the list doesn’t reflect consumer dollars crossing counter shelves, the list certainly shows that consumers still have an interest in mobile devices despite the gloomy economic situation in its unforeseen future. RIM, Samsung and LG fill all but one position on the chart, showing that perhaps availability is not the key issue, but rather a company’s previous history and valued reputation. Still, if anything, hats off should go to Apple for achieving such high consumer appreciation with just one product.

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