ProductCritic: BlackBerry 8300 Curve Reviews

PC World (90)

Overall, however, I found the Curve a seductive alternative to other candy-bar phones with wide-aspect-ratio screens, such as the Samsung Blackjack and the T-Mobile Dash. If AT&T’s price is right, the Curve could well become the hot PDA/phone of the moment.

PC Advisor (90)

RIM’s (Research In Motion’s) BlackBerry Curve, also known as the BlackBerry 8300, is a full-keyboard smartphone that’s both delightful and perplexing.

TrustedReviews (90)

The Curve is certainly a neat little BlackBerry, small and light, and comfortable to use. I’d have liked Wi-Fi and 3G but at least RIM is clearly working hard at developing its multimedia capabilities. For a first attempt in that respect the Curve does pretty well.

Pocket-lint (90)

Overall though – we like it, like it a lot.

MobileBurn (89)

I was a very big fan of RIM’s original mainstream consumer device, the BlackBerry Pearl 8100. It offered good functionality in a nice form factor, and had a great trackball for navigation. For as much as I loved that device, though, I love the Curve even more. It is neither the thinnest or most compact of the QWERTY smartphones on the market, but it could well be the best of them.

phonedog.com (88)

The only considerable downside to the otherwise excellent BlackBerry Curve involves its SAR radiation level. It ranks in with a rating of 1.51 watts per kilogram, placing it on the top 10 highest radiation emitting cell phones list. For the safety of your future children, I would recommend not keeping the Curve in your pocket if you catch my drift.

3G.co.uk (86)

The Curve brilliantly continues the BlackBerry tradition in a more compact form, but falls short in the multimedia stakes.

SmartPhoneToday (85)

I’d choose the Curve over the Pearl every time, but those who don’t like the squarer form factor you get when you make room for a full QWERTY keyboard may not like it as much. Kudos to RIM for correcting some of the flaws in the Pearl, but the camera still stinks and it would have been nice to include even a 1GB microSD card (worth about $30 at retail) so you don’t immediately have to go out and spend more money to use the thing for what it was designed.

Reg Hardware (85)

Email-tastic but could do better when it comes to media playback

Phone Scoop (84)

The Curve succeeds in adding a touch of personality to the smartphone, while retaining its core strengths in enhancing productivity.

ITPro (83)

As a phone and a smartphone and an email phone and an entertainment phone, the BlackBerry Curve hits the sweet spot.

UK Mobile Phones (83)

The BlackBerry Curve™ 8300 is the lightest & smallest BlackBerry handset which comes with a full QWERTY keyboard. The Curve™ 8300 may be small but it still comes with all the user friendly, business focused features that are expected from a BlackBerry Smartphone.

Brighthand (81)

If you can overlook the poor web browser, lack of video camera, and horrible location of the microSD slot, the Curve might still be one of the best smartphones currently on the market.

LetsTalk.com (80)

The BlackBerry Curve has a lot going for it: a 2-megapixel camera, world roaming capabilities, expandable memory, Bluetooth, a decent music player, and of course, easy access to multiple e-mail accounts. This version also sports a nifty spell checker, sweet media-syncing software from Roxio, and decent battery life for a smart phone. In short, the BlackBerry Curve is a true workhorse that’s not afraid of having a fun side.

TechReviewSource.com (80)

In conclusion, the iPhone and Curve are at totally different ends of the market and cater to totally different people. The iPhone is geared to the average consumer who wants to listen to their purchased iTunes music, while the Curve is more for business users who travel and want to have access to the office, e-mail, and the Internet from wherever they are in the world.

Good Gear Guide (80)

The BlackBerry Curve is a seductive alternative to other candy-bar phones with wide-aspect-ratio screens. If the provider’s price is right, the Curve could well become the hot smart phone of the moment.

Techtree.com (80)

The 8800 is about 5K more expensive than the Curve 8300; but it’s a choice of whether you want a bit of fun on the move or little more than just fun (camera).

Computer Shopper (80)

The BlackBerry Curve is an all-around top-performing smartphone wrapped in a snazzy design.

Mobile Tech Review (80)

For those not tied to corporate rules, the camera adds a bit of fun, though we can’t say the image quality is anything to write (or more than MMS) home about.

Mobile Choice Magazine (80)

The Curve brilliantly continues the BlackBerry tradition in a more compact form, but falls short in the multimedia stakes.

vnunet.com (80)

RIM’s BlackBerry Curve should prove a popular upgrade for existing BlackBerry users thanks to its smaller size and lower weight. However, some firms may be hesitant to deploy a device with a camera and media player.

LAPTOP Magazine (80)

Despite a few drawbacks, this is the best BlackBerry-~~and one of the most well-rounded smart phones~~-money can buy.

PC Mag (80)

The best BlackBerry so far, the Curve is easy to use, plays music and video well, and is a terrific e-mail device.

PC Mag (80)

The best BlackBerry so far, the Curve is easy to use, plays music and video well, and is a terrific e-mail device.

CNET (80)

Though it doesn’t bring Wi-Fi or 3G support, the BlackBerry Curve offers a best-of-breed design and a well-rounded set of features to make it an attractive device for consumers and mobile professionals alike.

infoSync World (74)

Otherwise, the Curve is still a BlackBerry, which is good for calls, e-mail, and other hardcore smartphone functions. Still, the aging interface and the heavily textual menus might scare away folks who don’t want to nitpick onscreen font sizes, or adjust network settings.

PC Pro (67)

The Curve is a good-looking alternative to the bulkier 8800.

CoolTechZone.com (65)

Unless you are desperate for an onboard camera (despite it’s poor quality) and a better keyboard, that’s perhaps the only reason to opt for the 8300. Even then, the distinct lack of 3G and WiFi support will hopefully steer you clear off the Curve.