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,
ifever ill purchase a BB and go out of the country can I still use it?
meron na din ba blackberry curve 8530 dto sa pinas? working ba mms/web browsing nito at other features kpag prepaid lang? please help. thank you.
wala pa atang 8530 dito.
Hi guys, I just have a question. Do you need to have a plan in order to access facebook, twitter, and ym? Or can you have these applications for free and use them via wi-fi?
Thanks :D
I bought a blackberry curve last 2 weeks, first I use it with mt pre-paid sim then register ko sa globe.blackberry.com.. nag work naman cya after…
Pero this week I avail a post paid, but when I tried to use it on my BB curve. Hindi na ako maka connect ulet sa wi-fi. Can someone help me what to do? may seting po ba dapat baguhin sa unit?
Thanks
Hey guys,
I just got my bb curve last week from smart retention plan,i have to cash out for 6,500 for the plan 1200 and you have to avail the bb data plan for 350 on top of your regular plan… it is really a great phone…to have this kind of unit, will really cost you “MUCHO DINERO” hahaha
first i didn’t avail the data plan… and try surfing the net using WI-FI from the Hotspot area…well, it’s fast depending on the area you are in…
USING WAP – well it’s not a 3G phone…but it is ok, depends also on the signal or area…
but if you want to download the free apps for the unit, IT WON’T WORK!!! u have to avail the data plan in order for you to use the apps from the bb! and some of the apps cannot be used here in the phil…
that’s all i have to share for now guys….
oh…i have a question, about PIN message, is it d same a SMS?hehehe
san po nakakabili ng faceplate ng bb dito sa PI?? im having ha hard time makahanap eh.
@Chris yes you need a data plan to use ym, facebook and other applications, but you can alternatively go directly to yahoo or facebook through your browser, you just need to reload the page to see the updates and new messages
I just called Globe customer center a while ago and I was asking about their Prepaid Plan for BB Curve 8520, the girl said that we have to pay 14,995 to avail this. And then if you want other services, like ubertwitter, facebook, etc… we have to pay 50 for a day, something like that. Sorry, I wasn’t able to ask the other options eh like for 2 days, etc.
It will be deducted in your regular load, by the way. I’d really think this offer is worth it naman, because if you will buy it in a mobile shops around the metro it will cost you 20 to 30k. But the 50pesos/day, etc. lang talaga ang mahal.
san po nabili ng silicon case ng bb 8520 ung ganto http://www.amazon.com/Pink-Silicone-Cover-BlackBerry-Curve/dp/B0032DKIVI/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1270047586&sr=1-1-fkmr0 ? pls help me guys.
i got three of those that i bought in the us blue and yellow u can contact me 09272621887
Just a question, can u not use BB features such as facebook if you’re not subscribe to any data plans?
One more, how can i install and use skype through wifi?
BB in ph is getting interesting.. GLOBE BIS is good. I mean in the metro at least. I switched from 8320 to 8520. And trackpad is better I guess than trackball. Why? With my old one, I think I changed it three times. Facebook, YM, googleTAlk, etc works fine with GLOBE BIS. I tried the prepaid before. 50- one day, 220- 5 days and 1200- 30 days. It works too. Its just that GLOBE does not provide support if you bought your BB somewhere else. Meaning you will not get a refund or support at all once you’re prepaid credit got deducted and you did not get the service(experienced that- even though it only cost me 50Php :( sayang… ). So I decided to get their data plan. Honestly, it is really expensive I mean, on top of your regular plan, etc.
CAREFUL- INFOMAX MOA sell these at 29k. Don’t buy there. You can go somewhere else at 15k.
Hopin that BB services in PH will be improved. This is a cool stuff. Can’t leave the house without it..
For sale silicon case for 8520 with blackberry engrave at the back light blue P300. i only do meetup at sm sucat 09272621887.
hi.. i have bb curve 8520 bought from singapore.. Question: y cant i browse the net? there is always a pop up message saying, “unable to find requested server” even i made my wifi successfully connected..help!
hey i was wondering if Philippines has a data plan?
hey i was wondering the same thing does philippines hav a data plan for black berrys? cuz my friend will be living there and she dosnt wanna pay for the roaming charges cuz we live in canada..
hello po.. i need help about the bb..
my brother in law is giving me his old blackberry galing sa US. how can i use it here in philippines? and how much kaya pang change sa program nian.
possible po ba na magamit yan dito sa Phil?
Hi Guys!
Newbie here! ill be getting my BB Curve 8520 for a postpaid plan later, should i avail the push email services? or should i think about it first? is BBM useful? maybe we can share pins for BBM.
Thanks.
[...] get it with the BlackBerry service to enjoy the full capabilities of the handset. Read our previous review of the Curve 8520 here. Page 1 of 0 GA_googleFillSlot('RSM-YugaTech300'); Enter your email [...]
Hi there!just wanna ask if you can install 3rd party apps like ebooks with this phone?thank you very much
In addition to my posted query I would like to ask if this BB8520 views microsoft document and/or edits?Thank you.
is there a storage limit for text messages? if yes, how many? also, does it have a send text to a group of contacts feature?
i got my bb already naka postpaid siya sa globe and i super laaab it:) tip lang kung sino gusto bumili faceplate ng bb order kau amazon then direct sa multiply:) i got mine mga 330 bucks:) super sulit! :) BBM naman tau:)