RIM BlackBerry Curve 8530 Review

Performance and Conclusion:

In keeping with tradition the Curve 8530 is a very solid performer when it comes to call quality.  Callers rated us as an 8.5/10, saying that we sounded very clear but that they could tell we were on a cell phone.  On our end they sounded good as well, although a bit quiet.  Callers sounded very close as well, as if they were sitting right next to us.  The 4.5 hours of talk time is a noticeable departure from the original Curve’s 6 hours, especially since they use the same battery.

The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8530 is a fine phone, and all things being equal it’s a perfectly acceptable refresh of the 8330.  Call quality is good and the OS runs buttery smooth.  However, at the current $99 price point we’d spend the extra $50 on the Tour if we had to have a BlackBerry, or pick up more capable phones like the Droid Eris and Palm Pixi for the same price.

RIM BlackBerry Curve 8530 Video Review: