BlackBerry Curve 3G (T-Mobile)
A Familiar, Powerful Phone…
The BlackBerry Curve 3G isn’t a revolutionary upgrade, but its powerful combination of push e-mail, Wi-Fi calling, and 3G data speeds make it a natural choice for voice and messaging- focused buyers.
Taking the now-familiar Curve 8520 design, the Curve 3G measures 4.3 by 2.4 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighs 3.7 ounces. The screen is the same 320-by- 240-pixel, 2.4-inch panel as ever. The four- row, sculpted QWERTY keyboard is just about perfect given the phone’s svelte design.
The Curve 3G is a quad-band EDGE and dual-band HSDPA device, and its Wi-Fi radio now connects to faster 802.11n net- works. It supports UMA service for clear Wi-Fi calls, which is a sadly undersold fea- ture. Like prior UMA-compatible BlackBerrys, the Curve 3G gives you clear calls in cellular dead zones as long as you can connect over Wi-Fi. Voice calls sounded clear and crisp all around, but hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular weren’t as seamless as the last UMA BlackBerry I tested.
As is proper for a BlackBerry, you can receive push e-mail for up to 11 accounts, including Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes. Corporate IT departments can password-protect the phones, wipe them remotely in the case of loss or theft, and provision them from a central location.
At this point, the BlackBerry Curve is a known quantity, and the UMA-enhanced T-Mobile versions are better than most. But if you’re sticking with T-Mobile, you should consider the BlackBerry Bold 9700, which is also UMA-compatible and delivers more screen resolution and a better camera for just $20 more, although it’s a little heavier and bulkier.
BlackBerry Curve 3G (T-Mobile)
Price $79.99 direct
PROS 3G speeds on T-Mobile’s network. Awe- some Wi-Fi calling feature. Stellar battery life. Loud speakerphone.
CONS Third-party app catalog still lags. Low- res camera.
A Familiar, Powerful Phone…
The BlackBerry Curve 3G isn’t a revolutionary upgrade, but its powerful combination of push e-mail, Wi-Fi calling, and 3G data speeds make it a natural choice for voice and messaging- focused buyers.
Taking the now-familiar Curve 8520 design, the Curve 3G measures 4.3 by 2.4 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighs 3.7 ounces. The screen is the same 320-by- 240-pixel, 2.4-inch panel as ever. The four- row, sculpted QWERTY keyboard is just about perfect given the phone’s svelte design.
The Curve 3G is a quad-band EDGE and dual-band HSDPA device, and its Wi-Fi radio now connects to faster 802.11n net- works. It supports UMA service for clear Wi-Fi calls, which is a sadly undersold fea- ture. Like prior UMA-compatible BlackBerrys, the Curve 3G gives you clear calls in cellular dead zones as long as you can connect over Wi-Fi. Voice calls sounded clear and crisp all around, but hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular weren’t as seamless as the last UMA BlackBerry I tested.
As is proper for a BlackBerry, you can receive push e-mail for up to 11 accounts, including Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes. Corporate IT departments can password-protect the phones, wipe them remotely in the case of loss or theft, and provision them from a central location.
At this point, the BlackBerry Curve is a known quantity, and the UMA-enhanced T-Mobile versions are better than most. But if you’re sticking with T-Mobile, you should consider the BlackBerry Bold 9700, which is also UMA-compatible and delivers more screen resolution and a better camera for just $20 more, although it’s a little heavier and bulkier.
BlackBerry Curve 3G (T-Mobile)
Price $79.99 direct
PROS 3G speeds on T-Mobile’s network. Awe- some Wi-Fi calling feature. Stellar battery life. Loud speakerphone.
CONS Third-party app catalog still lags. Low- res camera.
