Research In Motion (RIM) has been targeting the entry-level market for some time now but it wasn’t very evident until they released another qwerty smartphone, the Blackberry Curve 8520.
Like most other Blackberry phones, the Curve 8520 gets a stylish glossy finish and a sleeker look. It’s a bit smaller than the previous full qwerty Blackberry handsets but is still comfortable to use.
RIM ditched the usual trackball and replaced it with a touch sensitive optical track pad instead. The trackpad is really nice and comfortable to use but sometimes I find it cumbersome especially when scrolling over really long web pages or list of messages.
The individual keys on the qwerty keypad are a bit small but since they’re raised higher, typing becomes easier over time.
The phone sports a 2.64 inch display with a resolution of 320×240 pixels. The screen has a nice bright and crisp display despite the relatively small size. There is a 2-megapixel camera (1600×1200 pixel resolution) that’s optimized for taking videos.
As for connectivity, the Curve 8520 has WiFi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP. It only has EDGE instead of 3G so it’s a little slower connecting to wireless data networks. However, RIM’s proprietary data compression technology enables faster data transfer over GPRS or EDGE. Despite that compression technology they always brag about (and I’ve noticed it really works), there are lots of instances you’d wish you had 3G (audio/video streaming, tethering to a laptop, etc.) with it.
Internal storage is only 256MB but that can be extended up to 32GB using an external microSD card (card sold separately). The handset runs on Blackberry OS powered by 512MHz processor and that’s already a capable device for its category. The Li-Ion battery is rate at 1150mAh and battery life is pretty decent at over 2 days of regular use.
RIM is also shaping the Curve 8520 as an entry-level multimedia phone by adding dedicated music keys and a 3.5mm audio jack so you can use just about any headphones with it. Playback is great with nice sound quality when playing music or videos.
The Blackberry Curve 8520 only comes in glossy black while pricing is dependent on partner telcos offering Blackberry plans. We have yet to see which BB plans they’ll offer it with.
Side note: if you’re interested on getting a Blackberry for a phone, having a postpaid Blackberry Plan to go with it maximizes its potential esp. with push messaging. Otherwise, the difference between other similar qwerty phones (like the Samsung Blackjack, Nokia E63) isn’t that much.
hi chel.
not all the blackberry apps work with wifi. most would need the bb data service for the apps to work.
but you can still enter facebook, twitter, email through your browser. i have no problem connecting to the internet using wifi.
hope that helped.
sab.
mdesigns — sorry i wouldnt know what the prob is but i was just thinking, if you knew someone with a bb curve maybe you could switch batteries just to check if it drains quickly too. It just might be a battery problem.
My batt lasts about 2 to 3 days.
Twitter: chellejoquiao
says:
thank u sab. but i were to ask you, which would be better? BB 8520 curve or the nokia c3?
got my BB8520 globe locked last month and i was able to unlock it by myself thru blackberryunlocker.org now i able to connect with my facebook, twitter, and push email accounts using Smart Blackberry prepaid plan.and also i was able to download my favorite theme from Blackberry Application World. Mababait ang customer rep ng Smart they will assist you up to the extent of their capacity. Here are the keys para lumaki ang “GPRS” sa signal indicator ng phone nyo:
1. Set nyo ung GPRS settings nyo. Dito i tried to call Smart and they send me the gprs setting for my phone.
2. OPTIONS menu>Advance Options>TCP/IP>(check)APN Settings Enabled>then type “blackberry.net”
3. Data Services of your Mobile Network should be “ON”
4. Register to smart.blackberry.net te be able to receive push emails
Ayaw ko kasi mag subscribe sa mga plan na yan kaya sa BB DAY, BB WEEK or BB MONTH then send to 2207 kung smart users kayo.
If you happened to register your BB phone using IMEI and PIN code at any network simply call or email sa customer support nila and ask them to delete your account para makapag register kayo sa preferred network nyo.
Anyway, ito ang helpdesk ng blackberry sa pinas in case you may ask:
email: mobilityhelpdesk@novare.com.hk
Tel: 02-893-15-10 or 02-893-36-31
Bigay lang din yan ng Smart sa akin during my inquiry since need ko i-delete yung previous acct ko sa globe.
Hope that helps!
am just wondering why i can’t connect to wifi right away? palagng error… & my friends are getting a quick access sa wifi.. they’re using nokia at ako BB curve 8520… :( ganto ba talaga to? eh mas mahal pa ang BB curve sa nokia na ginagamit ng friends ko eh. nakaka disappoint… minsan nga di ko na lang ginagamit ang phone ko sa net surfing.. am borrowing my friend’s phone instead dahil madali cla nakaka access… GRRR!
i got my BB Curve 8520 for 11k only at http://kimstore.multiply.com
check it out. they have lotsa great deals for gadgets! :)
@aubrey: I had the same problem. You don’t have to worry blackberry parts are so easy to be replaced which is a plus to all blackberry users compared to apple products.
You have two options u can either purchase the full housing or just the lense that protects the lcd, I suggest purchasing the full housing though. U can find a lot of power sellers in ebay, and they have a lot of methods for payments ex. Gcash, banks, etc.
In replacing the parts u can find steps on how to do it on youtube, u just have to be extra careful.
Hi guys!!! Gusto ko lang mag share… :’) are u bored on the same old black, red, or white color on you blackberry phones? Why not try something new?!?
How about u dress ur phones just like you?!? Intersting dba?!? Just log on to skinit.com and from there ull see what I mean :’) hehe enjoy skining up ur phone…
@toby
Really? nakakatakot kasi mag replace eh! baka masira! Ikaw lang nag replace ng sayo? puro paypal lang mode of payment nakita ko sa ebay.. can you pls paste the link yung mga nag aalow ng bank deposit or gcash. pls!!! will wait! thanks!
@aubrey: yea ako lang… I can’t find some technician kasi to do it for me… But advice ko lang if ur just having prob. With the lense then lense lang ang e replace man mas dali kasi ke sa e replace mu yung full housing niya… Just got to ebay.com.ph and search mu yung full housing ng blackberry 8520.
Can someone help me on this?
Globe’s offering BB 8520 for free in Plan 999. Does this mean na I have to pay 999 for 24 months lang? I am thinking of purchasing Globe postpaid.
I also tried looking in some stores of SM Cyberzone Annex. The cheapest price for BB 8520 is P 13,000 for prepaid.
Which is better? Postpaid (Globe) or Prepaid? Thanks!
@Karen: Go postpaid to maximize the features of your BB, don’t expect your monthly bill to be 999 only though. I went way beyond 999 on my first month.
I just got my BB today. I’m kind of disappointed ‘cos I can’t access internet using Wi-fi only. I just read somewhere that I should try using Opera browser to access some sites without registering in data plan. Is it really possible? Can someone help me on this? Thank you! :)
Having problems on my battery. Initially charged my phone for 4 hours. Then when I woke up with my empty battery. Ito ba talaga ang problema sa BB? Super disappointed ako.
Twitter: harleymahson
says:
@aubrey. Gurl when you search for an accessory for the BB curve, search within the Philippines. There is one that offer very nice quality, I think it is simpleshop or something like that.
I got my sister a BB curve like mine since she loves mine a few days ago! Everything is in its best and was able to maximize its capacities because I placed my postpaid line from globe in it. Currently I am making this comment using it! It is so fun to use!
Peace everyone!
Twitter: ilovesmilo
says:
3 weeks ago,i was about to buy bb8520, i saw a store in sm cyberzone selling it for 12,500, prepaid of course.. but when i learned that it’s better to use the phone when using postpaid plans.. i backed out and bought samsung wave s8500 instead.. i wont buy a phone that makes me pay for 1,200k a month just for apps and social networking.. if you are not a busy person(etc.business people)bb phone is not for you..
the phone is cheap but it makes you spend more than the price in little time.
@harleymahson
yeah, simplishop is selling housing worth 999 made in china pa.. and the package doesnt have tools with it.. :( i dont know what im gonna do. :(
Twitter: chellejoquiao
says:
does anyone know how to download icons para fb, twitter, YM sa blackberry 8520? also anong site pwede mag download ng BB applications using my phone? HELP! thanks!
Twitter: chellejoquiao
says:
By d way, prepaid user lang ako.i still keep looking for websites kung saan pwede ako mag download ng bb applications pati free theme downloads, fb,twitter and ym.help please thanks!
Twitter: chellejoquiao
says:
I’ve been using my bb 8520 posting sa fb status.pero napansin ko “via mobile web” ang nakalagay.ba’t yung iba “via blackberry”? Meron pa bang settings kailangan pra maging “via blackberry”? Help. Thanks:)
Twitter: harleymahson
says:
@lee did you use the browser to access facebook? if that’s the case, then your post would surely be noted with posted via mobile web. you should use the application for facebook downloadable thru the application world in your curve. it would surely show that you have posted via blackberry! happy posting!
@chel use the application world in your BB to download the applications. alot are for free which included the themes!
have a blessed all saints and souls days!
peace!
Twitter: chellejoquiao
says:
Thanks harley! But will it work if i dont have a bb data plan? Can u also giv me d exact website of the bb application world? Iom really haviong a hard time wd my curve coz im a prepaid user.Ill follow u on twitter ;)
how can i use the bb curve 8520 as a tethered modem on my laptop? im a globe subscriber. thanks! :)
got my 3rd bb eh kasi naman magnanakaw sucks dba? wala nakong kadala-dala. hahaha nageenjoy kasi ako sa bb eh:) btw, dapat umorder kau ng faceplate sa amazon and it will do wonders sa bb nyo:)