Blackberry 9300 Curve 3G

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Perfect business phone, though lacks innovation. Offers 3G conncectivity and usual BlackBerry features. Trackpad is a letdown.

THE GOOD

Fantastic connectivity, dedicated music keys and long battery life make it a good media device too.

THE BAD

Unresponsive trackpad, boring design and requires a BlackBerry contract. Few apps available.

7.6out of 10 read review

User Reviews (15)

7.1 read reviews

Talk Time	5 hours
Standby Time	19.0 days
Network (Band)	Quad GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Operating System	Blackberry OS 5
Software Memory
Display Resolution	320 x 240 pixels
Display Size	2.50 inches
Display Colours
Dimensions	109 x 60 x 13.9 mm
Weight	104g
GPS	Yes
Camera Resolution	2.0 megapixels
Video Camera	Yes

Camera Flash	No
Camera Features	2-megapixel and fixed focus
Data	GSM/HSDPA
Browser
Bluetooth	2.1
TV Out	No
Touchscreen
Memory Card	microSD
Internal Memory	256 MB
MMS	Yes
E-mail	Yes
Java	Yes
Wi-Fi	Yes

7.6out of 10

Great QWERTY Meets Solid Connectivity

Back to Basics: The 9300 Curve offers smartphone functionality on a tight budget

Considering that the Curve is widely dubbed as BlackBerry’s entry-level handset, the inclusion of 3G connectivity in the phone’s feature set is very pleasing indeed. Mix in a functional QWERTY keyboard that makes compiling emails and text messages a breeze and an excellent battery life and you’ve got yourself a fairly good smartphone. The 9300 is by no means perfect, however, and suffers from a poor app selection and clumsy user interface that are made to feel outdated and underpowered by some of its more up-to-date market rivals.

What We Like

Possibly the biggest selling-point of the 9300 Curve is the high-speed 3G connectivity it boasts. Its predecessor, the 8520 Curve, only managed to offer users Wi-Fi, so to find both of these internet browsing options on the new release is a real plus point. Whether you’re on the move or at home, you’ll have no trouble connecting to your wireless network with the latest member of the Curve clan.

The handset also has a full-QWERTY keyboard for users to take full advantage of. The responsive keys are comfortable to type with and easy to use for even the clumsiest of typists, with the well-spaced keys allowing you to type quickly and without making too many accidental errors.

Another of the Curve’s plus points is its enhanced battery life, which gives you up to 4.5 hours of talk time over GSM networks and just under 30 hours of music playback – an impressive feat for a smartphone, to say the least. What’s more is that the hefty battery packed into the 9300 Curve doesn’t affect the phone’s weight too much, either; the handset registers on the scales at a reasonable 104g and feels fairly compact when gripped.

What We Don't Like

Sadly, it’s not all positive for this budget BlackBerry smartphone. The 9300 has its faults, one of which is the handset’s tacky exterior build. Despite being lightweight and boasting a solid QWERTY keypad, the Curve feels cheap and plasticky at times, with a clumsy optical trackpad that makes navigating the old-fashioned user interface a nightmarish experience.

The over-priced and dull collection of apps also leaves a lot to be desired with the 9300. RIM have failed to match the extensive and varied selections of apps offered by smartphone giants Android and Apple, making them look outdated in comparison to some of their more advanced rivals.

Unfortunately, the negatives which detract from the device’s overall appeal don’t end here. The 2MP camera the Curve is fitted with is poor to say the least, whilst the interface is dull and boring compared to some of the more intuitive software on-board HTC and iPhone handsets.

Conclusion

The BlackBerry 9300 Curve is best described as being a mixed-bag. 3G and an excellent QWERTY keypad are the main plus points, although the sluggish interface, poorly built trackpad and disappointing range of apps make these seem less exciting. On the plus side, the bland OS which the 9300 runs on will be rejuvenated once the BlackBerry 6 software update emerges, which is something to look forward to if you’re an owner or potential buyer of this relatively average handset.

Avg. Rating

7.1

Walter M. Kellner | Sunday, 27th November 2011

The Blackberry 9300 Curve’s prize and features sit in the middle when compared to other Blackberry models. One thing to look forward to in this phone is its 3G feature, well, that is if you find this feature very useful. It has a two megapixel camera which could be a downside for those photo lovers. However, when it comes to web browsing capability and speedy connectivity, this phone is definitely outstanding.

8out of 10

Ashley M. Day | Tuesday, 20th December 2011

My friend is a big Blackberry fan and when the Blackberry 9300 curve was released she was very estatic. It has all the Blackberry features that she adores but it comes cheap. Well, talk about convenience.

9out of 10

Jan Gonzalez | Wednesday, 28th December 2011

I really luv this using this phone... been using this gorgeous phone for 8 months now and i got no trouble with it. this mobile phone is great nd u can upgrade it to os.6 nd make ur browser faster and better.. erase unused applications and it will make this phone work faster when you browse the net.. my advise, buy it!!

8.5out of 10

Marvin E. Rickman | Wednesday, 7th March 2012

my blackberry seems to become slower! why!

8out of 10

Lynn M. McLain | Monday, 12th March 2012

I have this phone for almost a year now and I think its a good phone to have. They only thing I hate is the trackpad because it can be too sensitive sometimes but most of it is fine. It is an elegant looking phone and the OS is very intuitive. I love this phone.

8.5out of 10

David Brockington | Monday, 12th March 2012

At first I was really doubtful about this Blackberry having read so many reviews about how this line of phone does not really offer much differences in all of its models. But, low and behold, 9300 curve. It actually swept me off my feet. Try it for yourself and you will understand why.

8.5out of 10

June Baker | Thursday, 15th March 2012

I bought this phone last year and it has been a great phone for me except these past few weeks. I get the white screen of death and I don't know how to fix it. I probably should go to the help center but I just want to know if this phone has same problems with other users... without the white screen of death, this phone is perfect....

9out of 10

Zhyomight | Wednesday, 28th March 2012

This is a very nice phone. Blackberry's are excellent business phones. I have faith on BB phone as I've purchased their devices since my business partners convinced me to buy them. This is a great device, very useful and handy. It's a great investment.

9.5out of 10

Aleos | Wednesday, 28th March 2012

Never gets old. It has a lovely keypad. The design is smart and elegant. Wifi is fast and the services are top notch. I love Blackberry.

9.5out of 10

Humphrey | Wednesday, 28th March 2012

This is a top mobile phone. It's a popular phone and for a reason. It has excellent keypads which is very nice to press and type with, practical. Wifi is fast and efficient and I love Blackberry service. It's an amazing device. I love it and I recommend it.

10out of 10

Zemaro | Tuesday, 3rd April 2012

i love blackberry phones ever since i first bought one. this is very nice with good phone body and sturdy as well.. battery is understandable and calling and texting is excellent. very cool phone.

9out of 10

Huntser | Wednesday, 25th April 2012

Blackberry phones are amazing and the Blackberry 9300 Curve 3G is not an exception. This phone is perfect for my lifestyle and business. It looks brilliant, an eye candy, it looks sophisticated and the keypad works great, it feels good to type with. Camera is also great, takes clear pictures and high quality. Applications and services is great also, I haven't found any problems with it. Been using this phone for 1 year now. Excellent quality phone. I definitely recommend this.

9out of 10

JSUUeANCANUr | Tuesday, 15th May 2012

If the outside of the phone looks excltay the same as your last one its probably the same phone. However the most likely reason the phone layout and everything looks different is because the software is newer or older than the one you had before. You can update to the newest software if you hook your curve up to your computer and using desktop manager you can update it. Just click application loader, and then update device software and let it do its thing. hope this helps!!ps- dnt unplug or interuppt your blackberry while the software is being downloaded, it will nuke your phone and left it completly unusable!

0out of 10

JSUUeANCANUr | Tuesday, 15th May 2012

0out of 10

JSUUeANCANUr | Tuesday, 15th May 2012

0out of 10

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