RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 Review
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This is a CDMA phone offered with Verizon,
but there is also a GSM variant for AT&T.
Introduction:but there is also a GSM variant for AT&T.
About this time last year RIM introduced the Curve 8300. The consumer-friendly feature set paired with RIM’s legendary QWERTY made it an instant hit, and CDMA users have lusted after it since day one. Now they finally have a Curve to call their own, and with a few enhancements to boot! The CDMA Curve 8330 brings some notable upgrades to the original GSM 8300 including a bump in memory, integrated GPS and most importantly high-speed EVDO data. Other specifications remain the same, such as the 2 megapixel camera, microSD expansion, 3.5 mm headphone jack and of course trackball navigation and that famous QWERTY keyboard. The Curve serves as a compliment to the Pearl in RIM’s lineup; both devices have all the power a business user needs but with the multimedia features they are both aimed at breaking into the consumer market. We’ll be taking a look at the Curves offered by both Verizon and Sprint.
- Lithium Ion battery (1150mAh)
- Home Charger
- Leather Pouch
- USB Cable
- Stereo Headset
- User Guide
- Software CD
- 1GB microSD Card (Sprint Curve only)
Design:
The Curve comes in two different color palates. Verizon’s unit is bright silver, whereas Sprint and Alltel have both chosen a more refined dark Titanium color. Both versions have a black, rubbery trim running along the sides of the phone, and it extends a bit onto the back, especially at the bottom. The housing around the display is black, as are the keypad keys. Keys with an Alt function are half and half, with a silver top and black bottom.

Display
Along the right side is a volume rocker and multi-function key, both of which are bright chrome and stand out against the black trim. On the left is the 3.5 mm headset jack and miniUSB port, with a black multi-function key below. At the top is a single chrome key on the left used to mute the device and put it in/bring it out of standby. There are also two cutouts, one centered and the other off to the right, which serve as the Curve’s stereo speaker holes.
Flipping the Curve over reveals a large chrome insert at the top of the battery door. This acts as a housing for the 2 megapixel camera and flash, as well as a self-shot mirror. At the bottom of the door is the release, which is flanked by two gold contacts that charge the battery in an optional cradle. The door easily pops off to reveal the battery. The battery can be tricky to remove - you have to get your nails in the top, push down towards the bottom of the phone a bit and pry it out - which is troubling because that is where the microSD slot is located. The slot actually works more like you would expect a SIM slot to, you have to slide the catch to pop the door open, and there is no indication as to how to put the card in other than the exposed contacts. Overall, it is an absolutely horrid design that we quite frankly hate.

You can compare the BlackBerry Curve 8330 to many other phones, using PhoneArena's Visual Size Compare tool.

RIM obviously has a balancing act on their hands with the keypad and phone design, they have to keep the device wide enough so the keypad is useable but narrow enough so it still feels good in the hand. The keypad on the Curve is great, but we can’t help but feel that it is just a bit cramped. Conversely, the phone feels a bit wide in the hand as well, so it’s obvious that RIM tried to make the best out of the situation here.
We are a bit underwhelmed by the Curve’s overall design. It is a good size, but still on the large side for the average consumer. The keyboard performs excellent, but feels a bit cheap. The color difference is huge; Verizon’s silver housing looks almost gaudy, whereas the Titanium finish gives the Curve a very sleek and modern look. All in all it’s a case where we can’t necessarily find anything bad to say about it, but at the same time can’t really find anything good to say about it. It is what it is.
Things that are NOT allowed: