Buyer's Guide: BlackBerry Curve 9300
BlackBerry has long since been the go-to choice for enterprise standard messaging and in recent years the efficiency and security that the RIM service provides has gained popularity in consumer hands as well as business, and this change is reflected in their newer devices.
Gone are the dull, perpendicular QWERTY devices with which RIM made its name and in come a newer, more attractive range of powerful messengers. Ones which will suit the stockbroker as much as they will the student.
Among these new devices the BlackBerry Curve 9300 stands out. RIM assure us that it's priced at the lower end of their range, reflecting a more budget conscious approach, but we just can't see it.
The device is exceptionally well crafted, with pleasant, sweeping lines and a robust, sturdy feel. It gives the impression that if you were unfortunate enough to drop it, it wouldn't come off too badly, which is no mean feat in today's world of large, fragile touchscreens. In the hand it feels comfortable, and neither too light nor heavy. Balance has been achieved admirably with the Curve.
Keyboard
Being a BlackBerry, you expect a high quality QWERTY keyboard, and what a great keyboard it is. Typing feels natural and the slightly curved keys respond brilliantly to the gentlest of touches . The overall experience is one of comfort which urges you to type out those long e-mails and messages, rather than putting them off until you get to your home PC or workstation.
Connectivity
Connectivity is what it's all about though and as usual BlackBerry deliver. The Curve offers 3G, Wi-Fi (b, g, n), UMA, Bluetooth and an easy to use HTML browser, meaning that you'll never be out of the loop. You'll also have access to BlackBerry's app store, which contains a huge selection of applications, both free and paid, to allow you to maintain productivity, have fun or stay in touch with your friends and colleagues via social networking.
Camera
The 2 megapixel camera packed into the Curve isn't a stand-out feature, and certainly won't compete with the likes of Nokia's N8 or Apple's iPhone 4 but it is certainly good enough to snap some shots of your friends on nights out or email photographs back to your office if you're using the phone for work. This performance is echoed in the way the Curve captures video, as it isn't good quality but in decent light conditions you will be able to e-mail or MMS a perfectly legible video clip to a friend or colleague. The watchword here is practicality and though there is room for improvement, the Curve delivers.
OS
BlackBerry OS 5.0 takes care of the software side of things and although it's a little dated, it performs excellently. Apps open in a trice and video and audio is played without a hitch. Uploading photos and videos is quick and easy and the e-mail and messaging functionality is second to none.
Conclusion
The average camera doesn't muddy the device's waters in our view, because the Curve isn't about shooting video or taking pictures. If that's your forte you'll have a DSLR or a camcorder. The Curve is about communication, and on that front it's peerless, save for members of its own clan, and it's worth bearing in mind that the Curve is considered 'budget', so you get all of this form and function without spending more than you realistically know you should!