Blackberry Curve 9300, Ahead of the Curve

The Blackberry Curve 3G 9300 is a pretty nice phone, but, for those of you who were expecting a whole bunch of new features, tough luck. It's very similar to its predecesors, but that's not a bad thing, if you follow my humble opinion.

Though it's not something you haven't seen before, you just have to appreciate its slim, old-schoolish look. The 2.46'' TFT display is hosted, among the very practical QWERTY keyboard (that proves to be your best friend when texting) by a chic case, with the back made out of texturized rubber. This minor change is kind of useful, if you think of it, your phone isn't going to walk away from you after putting it on a smooth surface and it will "stick" better on your fingers.

Features of the BlackBerry Curve 3G include:

2 megapixel camera with video recording

LCD display: 320 x 240 pixels, 65,000 colours, 2.44 inches

Media player (Supports MP3, WMA, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, MPEG4, WMV9 formats)

Messaging: email and text messaging, BlackBerry® Messenger

Built-in speakerphone

Hands-free headset capable

MP3 ringtones / 32 voice polyphonic ringtones / Vibration alert / LED indicator

GPS with BlackBerry Maps

Personal organiser functions

Internet: Web browser

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, USB, RIM wireless modem, 3.5mm stereo headset port

Memory: 256 MByte flash memory plus microSD memory card slot

Size: 109 x 60 x 14 mm

Weight: 104g

Quadband GSM (1900/1800/900/850 MHz) plus UMTS (2100/1900/850/800 MHz)

Battery: 1150mAHr removable/rechargeable lithium-ion cell

Talktime: 5.5 hours

Battery standby: up to 450 hours

Another change is that, unlike its predecessor, the Curve 9300 comes with support for 3G, GPS and WiFi. You also might like the trackpad replacing the rollerball.  

On its left side, you'll find the microUSB port and near it, the 3.5mm headphone jack, which allows you to use whatever headset you desire. 

On the top are the dedicated media controls (play/pause, skip), so you'll also be the owner of a brand new media player.

When making a call, you'll be easily impressed by the sound quality, as the voices are audible and crystal clear for both sides.

When it comes to browsing, you won't be very pleased. Opening web pages is kind of slow and you'll have to abuse the zoom function if you want to read any text or view small images. The optical track-pad will be very helpful when moving the cursor around the web page, but it can also become annoying and over-responsive when trying to select a link.

Unfortunately, if you're into taking photographs at all sorths off stuff, like sunsets, flowers, babies, cats and all, you won't like the camera either. I sure know I didn't. It's very weak, having only 2 megapixels and lacking flash and autofocus. Oh well.

The video camera doesn't offer much, the colours are slightly changed while filming and you don't have the "zoom" option. What a shame. If it makes you feel better, the phone lets you pause your recording and continue it when you feel like it. Cute or what ?

When it comes to media, the phone is pretty average. You have the possibility to build your own playlists, shuffle or see track and album information. The sound quality is good, but could have been better. 

You won't find any FM radio support. 

The supported audio files are MP3, AMR-NB, AAC-LC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, Flac, Ogg Vorbis, and the video ones: MPEG4, H.263, H.264 and WMV9.

The video player is quite satisfying, you can visit YouTube without problems and enjoy watching whatever you want. Too bad it has only a 320x240 pixel screen.

If you're the phone-abusing type, you'll like this smartphone, because this baby will last aproximately two full days even if you're going to take photos, make calls, web-browse etc.

When in areas with good reception, the 3G is going to be very nice to you, but if the signal drops, no more Mr. Nice Guy. You may then trust WiFi, which is way friendlier and faster. The Bluetooth connection is also okay by me. 

The application store lacks variety, if you have my standards. The apps in Blackberry's App World are kind of expensive compared to the Android Market, for example, and a lot of them are useless.

For office-apps, it has WordToGo for reading and editind word processed documents, SheetToGo for spreadsheets and SlideToGo for slideshows.

In conclusion, the Blackberry Curve 3G is an average smartphone, made for average needs and is happily available for an also average price.

You can have one on a monthly contract deal here.