Customer Reviews

BlackBerry Curve 8530 Phone, Black (Verizon Wireless)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I've had just about every Blackberry on the market and this one wins the race, so far. It is light, well constructed and easy to hold. The keyboard is, like most Blackberry's, easy to use, even with big thumbs. Functionality is very well rounded with the much needed wi-fi finally coming to a Verizon Blackberry (outside of the Storm2). The trackpad is a real win. Responsive and easy to use. I use it with our Enterprise Blackberry server and everything works flawlessly. I send around 100 messages a day and the phone manages it without any trouble and is comfortable to use. Highly recommended.

I just got this phone and have had for a few days. This is my first Blackberry phone and the phone I had before was the Envy2. I must say this phone was a little hard to figure out but it only took me an hour with out using instructions. The buttons are a little small and I do fumble texts every now and then.The battery life is good. I got this phone mainly so I could ditch my ipod and carry it all in the palm of my hand. And so far it's doing a great job at holding up as a mp3/mp4 player. When playing music it hardly drains the battery. When playing movies like on most portable devices it does take a big chunk of the battery but it doesn't kill it. So far I have only watched an half an hour of a movie and the battery was still good. Everything works well on this phone and I highly recommend to anyone who doesn't want to be tied down to an apple iphone. Also when uploading music make sure to use the blackberry media sync. It makes it a lot easier to to put all your music on the phone.

Selection of a smartphone depends on what you plan to do with it -- it's that simple. This is particularly significant since Google, with its collection of mobile apps, has made many important features available for many different models and operating systems. BlackBerry gained a great deal of its market leadership because it could be used by companies to keep in touch with a large and scattered field force, but for individuals and smaller groups, the same things can be done using Google's free services. Google also offers synchronization of calenders and address books. At this point, many of the critical features that have made smartphones so valuable are available for any phone. For myself, I chose the BlackBerry Curve because of the physical keyboard with a good keyboard feel. I previously had the original Curve, and upgraded because the new model has both 3G and wifi.

KEYBOARD -- the keyboard is small, and this may be a problem for people with large hands, but the keys are separated, and generally easy to use. They have a sharp, reassuring feel. Even so, it may be worth going to a store and checking the various keyboards before making a selection.

FIT AND FINISH -- some reviewers have described the Curve 2 as feeling "cheap", and it may well be, but it does appear to be well made, and it's considerably lighter than other smartphone, notably the iPhone. There's no question that the iPhone has an air of luxury about it, it seems solid, well made. In contrast, the Curve 2 is light. That's a subjective consideration, and again requires personal evaluation. It depends on how you feel about the two devices and can't be determined by a review, but the Curve 2, in spite of its light weight, seems durable. I've seen reviews that complained about the poor fit of the battery cover, but I haven't experienced any problems.

CONNECTIVITY -- Verizon offers this phone with 3G and wifi, so the download speeds are quite good under most circumstances, however it is not suitable for travel outside the United States (maybe it can be used overseas using a WiFi connection and Skype. I've been told that, but don't know.)

DISPLAY -- not as bright as some, but adequate. As with most BlackBerry devices, the Curve 2 has a fixed keyboard, and so the screen size is smaller than can be found on cell phone with either a virtual keyboard or a hidden keyboard (hinged or slide) which is a limiting factor if the phone is to be bused for watching videos. It can be read in daylight, although I haven't tried it on very bright days.

CAMERA -- poor. The is a fixed focus camera with no flash, and not even the tiny mirror device that was included in the Curve 1 for self portraits.

KEYBOARD -- standard BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard with chicklet keys. As with all keyboards of this type, it's poorly suited for people with large hands, but for those with smaller hands it's comfortable and has a very good click and feel.

ACCESSORIES -- frankly inadequate. The phone ships with a charger cable and one to connect to a computer. It does not ship with ear phones, a car charger, or a case. The case may be important for conserving battery life (see below). Looking at some of the reviews and prices for car chargers and cases, these may add as much as $40 to the price of the phone. Chargers from other BlackBerry devices may or may not be compatible, but the ones from the Curve 1 are not (the case can probably be used, but it's a loose fit.) Because Verizon was offering the older model at a very good price, there are a lot of them around, and people may be tempted to switch from the previous model for the 3G and WiFi features assuming they can use their old accessories. Cables definately don't fit, the phone does not include a memory card, and because the case can be important, consider these expenses in calculating the price.

BATTERY LIFE -- many reviews have commented unfavorably on the battery life. Slip cases and holsters are designed to shut off the screen, which conserves the battery. I've had no problems with battery life while using a case, but would imagine that it drains more quickly, perhaps too quickly, without one.

UPGRADE PATH -- The BlackBerry desktop manager makes it easy to transfer from one BlackBerry to another, or from a BlackBerry to a Palm of Windows Mobile device. It apparently does not work with other operating systems. Since we've gotten into a system where cell phones are replaced as often as every 18 months, it seems worth considering not only the current phone, but what direction you plan to take.

IMPROVEMENTS OVER PREVIOUS MODEL - the main features of the 8530 are the upgrade to 3G and inclusion of WiFi. In addition, the trackball has been replaced with an optical trackpad which is both more reliable and operates more smoothly. The method of inserting and/or removing a memory card has been greatly improved.

Presumably in the interests of making the device more suitable for entertainment purposes, the top controls, which were limited to the mute key on the older model, have been replaced with video/audio controls. The pause button doubles as a mute button during telephone calls. BlackBerry has always had a reasonably easy to learn OS, and the latest version has many improvements over previous ones when it comes to finding functions and adjusting settings.

WOW FACTOR -- poor. This is not as trivial as it may seem. People do judge us by our dress style and possessions, and the choice of cell phone may influence the way we're seen by potential customers and clients. The BlackBerry has traditionally had an aura of being businesslike and efficient, while other phones may reflect more concern for being modern and technologically up to date. Early in his term, there was more discussion of President Obama's use of his BlackBerry than of his teleprompter. The design of the Curve 2 is rather generic, and may not be recognized.

SUMMARY -- the Curve 2 is a reasonably priced smartphone with the traditional BlackBerry strengths in e-mail and messaging. The Curve 2 offers 3G and WiFi, which are major improvements over earlier models. For other uses, notably entertainment, games, photography, there are much better choices. Although I'm speaking only for myself, I can't confirm the objections of other reviews (cheap feel, poor battery life).

Length:: 2:57 Mins

I picked up the Blackberry Curve 8520 with my corporate discount and walked away with a nice phone at a very reasonable price. I have to say that I really enjoy the web browser on the new BB. You can zoom in & out with ease. I thought no browser could compare to the iPod Safari besides the Android G1, but after getting this device - I can safely say that this browser is also one of the best. Its right behind the safari and G1. Prior models were confined to small screens, thirty-five dollar internet only data plans, and no ability to zoom in or out. You were subjected to a small screen and reading small text till your eyes was squinting like grandmas.

Pros:
Nice price for new smartphone users
Nice fashion colors that only the CURVE series has
3.5 MM headjack
Nice form factor
New OS (ONly 5.0 OS for SPrint and Verizon users)
Decent call quality (No issues yet)
Excellent new broswer
Mini SD up to 16GB (Wish it was 32GB)
Use your songs as ringers
Wi-Fi
Personal Email (Up to 10 accounts can be added)
IM
BB Meesenger
BB App World
Full HTML Web Browser (Sometimes)
Excellent Multimedia Player (Accepts every format possible)
Crystal clear screen for playing videos
Includes 2 chargers (Wall Charger & USB charger)
Includes ear phones

Cons:
For long time BB users, this device is really just a cosmetic upgrade with a new OS (Flashier Icons)
Micro USB (No more Mini USB)
No Flash on the camera
Only one theme
Feels like a plastic toy
No threaded text messaging
Poor screen resolution
Non RIMM Consumer Changes Mind!
No 3G (ONly 3G for Sprint and Verizon users)

Good entry level smartphones for new users who want to save without paying the high price. However, Verizon has pricey data and text messenging plans which are a requirement. Its hard to justify the plan prices for such an average entry level device.

I've owned a Curve for about a year now and I think I can make an honest review of the phone. I will break it down for you.

1. The phone is cheaply made and the keys are all attached to one single unit that moves freely when a single key is pressed.

2. The web browser is hideous and makes surfing the Internet a real frustrating chore. It's slow and takes forever to load even the simplest web pages. My wife has an HTC phone on Verizon and the loading of web pages is smoother and faster. Not sure if it is the browser or the phone's operating system. But you have to be really patient to use a Blackberry browser! And the smaller screen of the Blackberry does not help the experience.

3. Battery life was ok for the first couple of months, but now must be charged constantly to maintain a charge.

4. Another pain with this phone is the experience of adding apps via the Blackberry Store via the Blackberry icon in the phone menu. To do this, one has to come up with a user name and password, that the phone doesn't seem to recognize on the next login. Requiring countless resetting of the password. Related to this is the annoying popup screen icon that appears on the phone screen whenever your phone apps need an update. The update icon stays permanently on the screen until you have updated all app updates, through the app store. So if you have 10 updates, you have to update all 10 apps before the icon disappear. There is no skipping of any update! Also, while trying to perform the updates, you will have to login in to the app store and with that you are likely to run into the need to reset your password to perform the updates. More frustration.



The bottom line is that the Blackberry is more suited to texting than web browsing and it can not compete with other browser capable phones with a bigger screen and better browser.

I love blackberrys. I have had a blackberry for years and only changed phones once.

Curve 8530

Pros:
Good battery
Great OS
Nice sound
Great size

Con:
No Flash with the camera
Not a bunch of apps, but when did a phone need a ton of apps to be awesome

The functionality of this phone is good, but the battery life is especially bad. With my last BB I had a bunch of chargers lying around so I could recharge the phone from anywhere (work, home, car, etc.), but RIM changed the size of the charge connector on this phone so you can't use any of the old chargers. Why do that?.....just so we have to go out and buy new accessories?

My cousin and I both purchased this phone last November, and both of us have had nothing but problems. My phone is used gently and never dropped or exposed to water. However, there is a defect where the software causes the battery to discharge rapidly. Consequently, after a few months of use, the phone overheats and is too hot to the touch to use. Verizon,which is a large company, clearly does not care about their customers because they continue to sell such a poorly made phone. Furthermore, when Verizon is required to replace the defective device because of a warranty, they replace it with a used phone. I originally purchased the phone last November, and I am already on phone number three because of this problem.

Furthermore, my cousin has also had nothing but problems with her phone. First, her BBM erased itself. Then, her keyboard stopped working. She experienced these problems within a few weeks of purchasing her phone. Verizon replaced her phone with a used phone also, and she has continued to experience issues with the internet and applications.

Verizon's customer service made it clear that they do not really value their customers, but Blackberry has disappointed me the most. Blackberry basically told me that even though it was their product, they could not help me. It was discouraging that both companies passed the blame to the other, but it is even more pathetic that Blackberry not only released a sub par product, but would not stand behind it. Currently, I am only using my Blackberry because I am stuck with my used unreliable phone. It's a shame that they race to release new phones, but never bother to check to make sure their phones are actually quality devices.

Had the 8330 BB and was never dissappointed..it always worked to perfection from day one. Got the 8530 after my 8330 was damaged and returned it for error messages constantly after many attempts to fix it, got another one, same problem...returned that one right off and told them I've had it, don't want another

I went from using the BlackBerry World Edition to using the Curve. In my opinion it is the worst phone I have ever owned, the call quality is crappy the camera sucks and the internet is slow. The only thing I think I do like about this phone is that it has the "chat style" text messaging. I would not recommend this phone.