BlackBerry Curve
BlackBerry Curve is a brand of entry level smartphones manufactured by Research In Motion since 2007.
Early series
Curve 8300 Series
The BlackBerry Curve brand was introduced on May 3, 2007[1] with the Curve 8300 series. The Curve brand continued the "consumer-oriented" philosophy of the BlackBerry Pearl and 8800 series, including robust multimedia features and a high-resolution built-in camera. As is customary for BlackBerry devices, the 8300 series consists of several models offered by different wireless providers, supporting that provider's network along with specific services.
In total 5 variants were released; 8300, 8310, 8320, 8330 and 8350i. The 8300 was the first released bold, able to support the North American and European GSM as well as EDGE. Later in 2007, the 8310 was launched with GPS, however lacking in the North American bands and only supported 900/1800 MHz and EDGE.
At the end of 2007 Research in Motion announced the 8320 with wireless B/G and a colour display. It had full 850/1900 MHz and 900/1800 MHz GSM and EDGE support, but lacked a GPS receiver.
In early 2008, Verizon Wireless and Research in Motion the first CDMA Curve, the Curve 8330. This phone also featured upgraded memory as well and GPS. It only served the 800/1900 MHz range for CDMA2000 and 1xEV-DO. It is also the first Curve to have video recording at 240 x 176 resolution in 3GP format.
The 8350i was the last of the 8300 series to come out, which supported the 800/900 MHz iDEN and Push-to-Talk. Its memory was upgraded to 128 MB and weighs more at 135g.
CNET's Bonnie Cha gave the Curve an "Excellent" rating. However, she found the Curve 8300's lack of 3G and Wi-Fi disappointing. Also disappointing was the phone's lack of video-recording capabilities. Call quality was determined to be subpar and calls sounded hollow on the Curve 8300.[2] While the 8300 as originally released lacked Video Recording and Voice Note Recording, these functions have been provided with the Blackberry OS 4.5 release.
Four year user CWallace found that over time dirt infltrates the track ball limiting scrolling and the ability to get to menus. This can mean the phone is not usable because without the track ball the phone directory cannot be opened. Users should keep a replacement trackball on hand when traveling. Otherwise this phone is consistent and robust. [original research?]
Curve 8900
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 is a BlackBerry mobile phone developed by Research in Motion.
When in development, it was thought to be a part of the 9xxx series of 3G BlackBerry devices; however, it was released in early 2009 as a quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE phone and named the Curve 8900. The device is an upgrade over the older 8300 model, with the most significant differences being a 3.2 Megapixel camera with video Camera, a micro-USB port, Wi-Fi, and an upgraded operating system with a more modern design. Initial release was in February 2009 on T-Mobile but was later released on AT&T as well. This phone is known as Blackberry Javelin in Asia. @ China Mobile versions were released the 8910 in 2010 and in 2011 the 8980. The 8910 is identical except for the removal of wifi to comply with Chinese regulations at the time.[3] The 8980 design is radically different from the 8900 or 8910; its design cues is virtually identical to the Blackberry Bold 9700/9780/9788 series but lacking 3G capabilities; the 8980's keyboard is the typical Curve "chicklet".
While not as positive as other BlackBerry phones, the reviews of the Curve 8900 were mostly positive with praise for the improvements made over previous models but criticism for the lack of 3G and a relatively slow processor. The 8900 was also praised for its new, stylish and confident look. Also, the model was not as durable as other BlackBerry devices.[4]
Curve 8500 Series
The BlackBerry Curve 8500 series was announced in July 2009 and released the following August. This series continued Research in Motion's developing "consumer-oriented" philosophy of the BlackBerry Pearl and Curve 8300 series smartphones with the inclusion of additional multimedia features. It was also the first blackberry to introduce the new trackpad vs the trackball in previous models. A CDMA version was released as the Curve 8530.
Curve 9300 3G
The BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 is a mid-range smartphone developed by Research in Motion and was the first Curve device to function on 3G GSM networks. The 9300 and its CDMA counterpart, the Curve 9330, also contained some minor improvements over the 8500 series including a faster processor and the ability to upgrade the OS to BlackBerry 6.[5] The BlackBerry Curve 9300 series also continued with the dedicated media keys on the top first introduced with the BlackBerry Curve 8500 Series. The Curve 9300 was released on Rogers Wireless in Canada on Aug 4th, 2010.[6]
A CDMA variant named the Curve 9330 was also produced with OS 6 for 800/1900 MHz CDMA and CDMA 2000 1X EVDO and has more memory (512 MB RAM and 512 MB internal). The 9330 only supports data and voice simultaneously when data is being transmitted over WiFi, while the 9300 supports simultaneous data and voice over the mobile network.
BlackBerry 7 series
Blackberry Curve 9220/9310/9320
This series of Blackberry Curves are low end models developed mainly for developing economies. They are stripped down versions of the mid-range Curve 9350/60/70 series. Unique features include a dedicated BBM convenience key and FM Receiver. The 9320 is the 3G GSM variety and was released in May 2012. The 9310 is the CDMA variety was released July 2012. The 9220 is a 2G GSM and was launched first in India April 19th 2012.
BlackBerry Curve 9350/9360/9370
The Curve 9350/9360/9370 are mid-range models in the Curve series announced in August 2011 and released September 2011. The Curve 9350 series has a slimmer, lighter-weight design with improved technical specifications than the Curve 9300 series and also runs BlackBerry OS 7. The 9370 is a CDMA/GSM World Edition, the 9360 is a 3G GSM/HSPA+ variant, and the 9350 is a CDMA only variant. All the phones include NFC and Wi-Fi Calling with OS 7.1.
The 9370 also has more eMMC memory than its siblings at 1GB as compared to 512 MB.
Blackberry Curve 9380 Series
The Curve 9380, announced in November 2011, is the first Curve with a touchscreen and no physical keyboard. The phone is an entry-level counterpart to the Torch 9860, which is similarly an all-touch phone with no physical keyboard.
TechRadar gave the Curve 9380 three out of five stars, complimenting its affordability, the quality of its screen, its design for being more comfortable and not as fragile as other smartphones, and the improvements in the 7.0 operating system. However, reviewers also felt the device felt unstable, its social networking integration was of inconsistent quality, the implementation the Blackberry OS on a touchscreen device wasn't as elegant or mature as other smartphone platforms, and concluded that the phone "[isn't the] best option in its price range."[7]
Model comparison
The following tables highlight features of the different models.
Early series
Curve Series | 8300 Series | 8900 Series | 8500 Series | 9300 Series | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Picture | ||||||||
Available Models | 8300, 8310, 8320, 8330, and 8350i | 8900 | 8910 | 8520 | 8530 | 9300 | 9330 | |
Display | 320 x 240 px 16-bit [8][9] |
480 x 360 px 16-bit[10] | 320 x 240 px 16-bit[11][12][13][14] | 320 x 240 px 16-bit | ||||
Data Inputs | Keyboard, trackball | Keyboard, optical trackpad | ||||||
CPU | 312 MHz Qualcomm MSM6550[15] | 512 MHz[15] | 512 MHz | 624 MHz | ||||
Memory | Internal | 64 MB[15] | 256 MB[15] | 256 MB | 256 MB | 512 MB | ||
RAM | 8300: 32MB, 8310: 16 MB, 8320:32 MB, 8330: 32 MB, 8350: 64 MB | 128 MB[15] | 128 MB | 256 MB | 512 MB | |||
Removable Storage | MicroSD card | MicroSD card | MicroSD card | MicroSD card | ||||
Compatible networks | Various 2G [nb 1] | 2G GSM | 2G GSM | 3G CDMA | 3G HSPA | 3G CDMA | ||
Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth 2.0 + A2DP[16][17][18][19][20][21] | Bluetooth 2.1 + A2DP[22][23][24] | |||||
GPS | ||||||||
NFC | ||||||||
USB | miniUSB 2.0 | microUSB | microUSB | microUSB | ||||
Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g [nb 2] | 802.11b/g | 802.11b/g | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11b/g | |||
Wi-Fi Hotspot | ||||||||
Documents to go Standard (word, excel, powerpoint) | ||||||||
Camera resolution | 2.0 MP[15] | 3.2 MP[15] | 2.0 MP[25] | 2.0 MP | ||||
Battery capacity | 1150 mAHr | 1400 mAHr | 1150 mAHr | 1150 mAHr | ||||
Operating System | BlackBerry OS 4.5 | Blackberry OS 5 | Blackberry OS 5 | Blackberry OS 6 | ||||
Released (US) | May 10, 2007[nb 3][26][27] | Feb 11th, 2009[28] | August 5, 2009[29] | November 20, 2009[30] | Sept 15th, 2010[5] | |||
Weight | 110g (3.9 oz) | 109.9g (3.9 oz)[31] | 105g (3.7 oz)[21] | 104/106g (3.7 oz)[32] |
- ^ The BlackBerry Curve 8300, 8310 and 8320 use a 2G GSM network. The 8330 uses a CDMA network, while the 8350i uses an iDEN network.
- ^ The BlackBerry Curve 8300, 8310, and 8330 cannot connect to Wi-Fi networks.
- ^ The BlackBerry Curve 8350i was released about a year and a half later on December 15th, 2008.
BlackBerry 7 series
Curve Series | 9350 Series | 9380 Series | 9220 Series | 9320 Series | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Picture | |||||||
Available Models | 9350 | 9360 | 9370 | 9380 | 9220 | 9320 | |
Display | 480 x 360 px 24-bit[33][34] | 320 x 240 pixels | |||||
Data Inputs | Keyboard, optical trackpad | Touchscreen, optical trackpad | Keyboard, optical trackpad | ||||
CPU | 800 MHz | 800 MHz | 800 MHz | ||||
Memory | Internal | 512 MB | 1 GB | 512 MB | 512 MB | ||
RAM | 512 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB | ||||
Removable Storage | MicroSDHC card | MicroSDHC card | MicroSDHC card | ||||
Compatible networks | 3G CDMA | 3G HSPA+ | 3G CDMA/2G GSM | 3G HSPA+ | 2G GSM | 3.5G HSDPA | |
Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth 2.1 + A2DP[22][23][24][35] | Bluetooth 2.1 + A2DP | ||||
GPS | |||||||
NFC | [24] | [24] | [24] | ||||
Wi-Fi Hotspot | |||||||
Documents to go Premium (word, excel, powerpoint, pdf) | |||||||
USB | microUSB | microUSB | microUSB | ||||
Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n[24] | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11b/g/n | ||||
Camera resolution | 5.0 MP | 2.0 MP | 3.2 MP | ||||
Battery capacity | 1000 mAhr | ? | 1450 mAh | ||||
Released (US) | August 2011 | April 2012 | July 2012 | ||||
Operating System (US) | BlackBerry OS 7 | BlackBerry OS 7 | BlackBerry OS 7 | ||||
Weight | 99g (3.5 oz)[24][36] | 98 g | 102 g | 103 g |
External links
- Official Site Curve 83xx Series
- Official Site Curve 8900
- Official Site Curve 85xx Series
- Official Site Curve 3G(93xx) Series
References
- ^ RIM Introduces the BlackBerry Curve Smartphone
- ^ http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/rim-blackberry-curve-8300/4505-6452_7-32434383.html CNET Review for BlackBerry Curve 8300
- ^ 8900 Curve at BlackBerry.com
- ^ Hands-on review of pre-release Blackberry Curve 8900
- ^ a b "BlackBerry Curve 3G". CrackBerry. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 3G Canada". Retrieved 5 July 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 9380 review". TechRadar. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
- ^ "Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve 8300". Phone Scoop. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve 8330". Phone Scoop. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve 8900". Phone Scoop. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve 8520". Phone Scoop. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve 8530". Phone Scoop. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300". Phone Scoop. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330". Phone Scoop. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g "T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8900 Smartphone Review". CrackBerry. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 8300 - Full phone specifications". GSM Arena. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 8310 - Full phone specifications". GSM Arena. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 8330 - Full phone specifications". GSM Arena. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 8320 - Full phone specifications". GSM Arena. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 8900 - Full phone specifications". GSM Arena. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
- ^ a b "BlackBerry - Curve 8500 Specs - BlackBerry North America". 2010-05-17.
- ^ a b "BlackBerry Curve 9300 - Full phone specifications". GSM Arena. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
- ^ a b "BlackBerry Curve 9330 - Full phone specifications". GSM Arena. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g "BlackBerry Curve 9350/9360/9370 Specs". Retrieved 27 August 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 8520 Features and Specifications". Crackberry. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 83xx". CrackBerry. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 8350i". CrackBerry. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 8900". CrackBerry. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 8520". CrackBerry. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry Curve 8530". CrackBerry. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry - Phone - BlackBerry Curve 8900". BlackBerry. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
- ^ "BlackBerry - Curve 9300 Phone - New BlackBerry Curve 3G Smartphones". BlackBerry. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
- ^ "Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve 9350". Phone Scoop. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
- ^ "Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve 9370". Phone Scoop. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
gsm9230
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Full Phone Specifications of BlackBerry Curve 9320". MyPhoneFactor. Retrieved 9 May 2012.