Review: BlackBerry Curve 8520

With three Blackberry Curves already on the shelves, RIM has decided to take a few chances with the new 8520.

Specs & info:
Price: £contract
Operating system: Blackberry OS 4.6.1
Processor: 512 MHz
Memory: 256MB RAM
Dimensions: 109 x 60 x 13.9mm
Weight: 106g
Display size: 2.46” diagonal
Display resolution: 320×240 pixels
Expansion slot: microSD

It’s lighter and cheaper than the others and also the most media friendly, featuring an above average loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack for when you want to keep things private.

But it’s the appearance that strikes you first, from the range of colours (our review version was in black, avoiding some of the scathing comments on user forums about other colours in the range) to the innovative features that RIM clearly intends to use in future models.

Top of the list here is the 8520’s Trackpad, used in place of the more traditional trackball. On this evidence, trackpads do seem an attractive option; proving both more robust and practical while still fully customisable for sensitivity.As a result the 8520 felt light to the touch, responsive and efficient for skimming menus or vertically scrolling websites.

The other obviously new feature is the rubberised coating that runs along the perimeter of the device. This covers the raised Play, Pause, Back and Forward multimedia buttons on the top, plus three more for volume and camera on the right edge and a single one on the left that brings up a respectable pre-installed voice-dialling app.

You may not appreciate an approach that harkens back to antiques like the original Nokia N-Gage rather than the Curve 8900’s slick chrome finish, however we found the rubberised approach both practical and pleasantly smear-proof, even if it does feel a little clunky at first.

It is, perhaps, an understandable compromise to keeping the 8520’s retail and maintenance costs down, and it’s not the only one. The camera, for instance, is a measly, flashless 2 megapixel version, although picture quality was reasonable (especially for video) and the 5x digital zoom perfectly adequate for most point & shoot requirements.

And while we’re on the subject of quibbles, removing the back of the device was ridiculously tricky without potentially harming that sleek finish with the nearest thin pointy object!

In use, the 8520 is an easy and instinctive device that plays to its strengths. The QWERTY keyboard may not be the biggest but with the ability to configure up to 10 push email accounts and pre-loaded social networking apps you’ll be rattling off messages on Facebook, Twitter or Windows Messenger in no time.

However, where you really appreciate that the 8520 is an entry level device is when it comes to the absence of both 3G and GPS.

Surfing with Wi-Fi is speedy enough when you can find a secure network but in its absence you’ll likely want to stick to mobile-optimised websites in order to get a satisfactory level of performance. Meanwhile, without GPS you’ll be relying on Google Maps to triangulate position from nearby mobile phone masts: fine for getting your bearings but turn-by-turn navigation is off the menu.

Once online, browsing proved a lot easier and more satisfying than, say, on your average smartphone. Website resolution was sharp and colours bright on the 2.46” TFT screen, although those used to iPhone screen drags and pinch-zooms might find the traditional Blackberry UI beginning to show its age.

All in all, for an entry level device clearly aimed more at consumers than the Blackberry’s usual business-brigade, the 8520 is an interesting choice. It is, however, undeniably an evolution rather than a revolution – and with truly consumer friendly devices like the iPhone 3GS around it faces stiff competition.

Essential Verdict
Performance: 7/10
Design: 8/10
Features: 6/10
Value for Money: 7/10

Overall score: 7/10

Written by Mike Anderiesz. Originally published in Smartphone Essentials magazine.

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