BlackBerry Curve 8520: The Good and the Bad
The BlackBerry Curve family continues to grow and the latest addition to the lineage is the BlackBerry Curve 8520. This new device is specifically designed to target the lower market segment and is priced at a very competitive £80. Here’s what we think of the latest BlackBerry device.
Upside
As a replacement for the familiar trackball technology, RIM has equipped the Curve 8520 with a new track pad. Its responsiveness is almost as good as the trackball, while also being much more durable. This is definitely something to expect in future BlackBerry handsets. The QWERTY keyboard remains impervious and continues to be one of the strongest points of all BlackBerry models. The keyboard on the Curve 8520 is excellent as well and it can be used for the myriad of social networking apps installed on the device.
RIM seems to have upped the multimedia functions on the BlackBerry Curve 8520, particularly in the music department. The device is equipped with dedicated music keys as well as a 3.5 mm ear jack that is compatible with any type of standard headset.
Downside
As with other BlackBerry Curve models in the past, the 8520 too lacks the essential 3G support that’s present in almost all of the Smartphones in the market today. Its camera is also unimpressive at only 2 Megapixels, and it doesn’t have a built-in flash either. The GPS receiver is also a notable absence on the Curve 8520.
The verdict is that RIM was able to accomplish its goal in producing an entry level device that still has most of the famed BlackBerry features. The only thing you’re probably going to miss is 3G connectivity, but other than that, the Blackberry Curve 8520 can pass of as a more than decent Smartphone.
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