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BlackBerry Curve 8300 review

8.7/10 AVG.
RATING
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BlackBerry Curve 8300
BlackBerry Curve 8300
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8.7/10
Informr score
The BlackBerry Curve 8300 currently has an Informr score of 8.7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 89 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The BlackBerry Curve 8300 smartphone is the smallest and lightest BlackBerry smartphone equipped with a full QWERTY keyboard. The rounded design of the Curve makes it pleasant to handle and it is small enough to hold for voice calls or use with single hand.

Text entry requires some concentration but the trackball navigator works perfectly and makes you feel in control of every movement. The bottom third of the unit is occupied by the QWERTY keyboard. At the top is a colourful 320 x 240 pixel display with a smart sensor that automatically adjusts its brightness depending on the light.

The BlackBerry 8300 comes with the downloadable BlackBerry Maps application and has built-in Bluetooth. Note that maps aren’t stored on the device, so you will have to upload them over the air which will likely mean downloading costs from your carrier.

The Curve supports two options: BlackBerry Internet Service and BlackBerry Enterprise Server. If instant email doesn’t fit, customer can also use SMS, MMS and BlackBerry Messenger services. Unfortunately the 8300 still can't show full HTML emails, displaying a text-only version instead. The onboard GPRS and EDGE data are good for synchronising an email inbox, but they're not fast enough for applications such as mobile video. 3G and Wi-Fi are not supported by the phone.

A 2-megapixel camera with flash LED can be found on the 8300 but the quality of pictures leaves much to be desired. Organizing your picture is a relatively nice experience with the Curve’s Desktop Media Manager software. To store the photos, you can use the Curve’s built-in flash memory (64MB) of take advantage of the microSD card slot on board.

Overall the BlackBerry Curve 8300 is friendly, neat and comfortable to use but the lack of 3G data capabilities or WiFi are disappointing.


BlackBerry
Operating system
Operating system
BlackBerry
312 MHz
Processor
Processor
312 MHz
Unknown
Screen Size
Screen Size
Unknown
2+ MP
Camera
Camera
2+ MP
Unknown
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


MobileBurn
MobileBurn

I was a very big fan of RIM's original mainstream consumer device, the BlackBerry Pearl 8100. It offered good functionality in a nice form factor, and had a great trackball for navigation. For as much as I loved that device, though, I love the Curve even more. It is neither the thinnest or most comp...

- Michael Oryl, MobileBurn
PCWorld
PCWorld

The BlackBerry Curve 8300 is the latest chic smart phone to sashay down the cell phone runway

- Yardena Arar , PCWorld


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the BlackBerry Curve 8300 user manual here.


BlackBerry backs up the Curve 8300 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Curve 8300 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact BlackBerry support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find BlackBerry's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
Unknown

The BlackBerry Curve 8300's screen size is Unknown with x pixels resolution.

Processor
312 MHz

There is a 312 MHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
2+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 2+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
64 MB

Internal memory is 64 MB. An external, MicroSD expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
Unknown

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery. BlackBerry's performance ratings are 6.5 days standby time.

Curve 8300 Specs

Overview
Release Date June 12, 2007
Regions Available USA, Canada
Operating System No

Compare BlackBerry Smartphones

Processor 312 MHz
Internal Storage 64 MB
RAM No
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 1.51 W/kg
Body: 1.12 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Yes
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth Yes
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, DUN, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi No
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Zoom
5x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Effects, Self-portrait, Self-timer, White balance
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4, WMV
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 65k
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size Unknown
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity No
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Up to 6.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Colors Pale Gold, Silver, Titanium
Dimensions [H x W x D] 10.8 x 6.0 x 1.6 cm (4.3 x 2.4 x 0.6 in)
Weight 111 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 2.5mm
External Speakers No
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY
Navigation Type D-pad
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, IM
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: No
Any Key Answer: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact:
Auto Answer: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, Blackberry Connect
PC Synchronization: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, AMR, WMA, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4, WMV
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Wi-fi Encryption: -
Games: Downloadable
Apps: -
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Weather, Stocks, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): BlackBerry Curve
Related Links Manual (PDF)
BlackBerry Curve 8300 Reviews
Where to buy BlackBerry Curve 8300
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