BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 Phone, Violet (T-Mobile) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I picked up the Blackberry Curve 3G 9300 at my local RadioShack for FREE and walked away with a nice phone at a very reasonable price. The BB Curve 3G has retained everything from the previous Curve models, but now includes 3G which is a must for any phone these days. To offer EDGE is a complete INSULT! It's like someone saying that they still use dial up to access the internet. It still has the same web browser with the ability to zoom in & out with ease. However, a better browser has sadly been missing in action for all BB models since the rise of the iPhone and Android devices that pop up left and right just about every other day. I can safely say that this browser is also one of the best, but it does lack behind the competition. However, the BB excels when it comes to email. Emails are received instantly on BB devices while Android and Apple require that users to hit refresh after accessing their email icon before receiving emails. Of course, the trade off is that the emails don't arrive in full HTML format the way they would appear on a comp screen - another unfortunate trade off.
The new BB Curve has chrome colored edges to give it a more high-end fashion feel though it still retains its inexpensive plastic feel which can be a plus or a negative for some. The device is also extremely light weight. Everyone must remember that the Curve series is now known as the entry level line to RIMMs smartphone's. This means that users are subjected to a lower screen resolution that doesn't exactly look the most vibrant or sharpest. Colors just don't pop and the screen looks like a cartoon every time I look at it. Despite this fact, it still plays videos very well. You can load any video to the device's memory card and it will play very fluidly. Sadly, this device doesn't come with BB OS 6 installed. It does state clearly that its OS 6 ready as soon as the software is ready to be released (Hopefully Soon). I am sure by now everyone is sick and tired of the OS 5 and ready to move on.
The BB Bold 9700 has been out for about one year and it's practically the same price as this model and most places carry the BB Bold 9700 for free, so I'd recommend going with a higher end model over this. The BB Curve 3G might be aiming for the tweens on a limited budget, but nothing changes the required data plan which ends up making the monthly bill the same despite having a different model device.

Pros:
Nice price for new smartphone users (Free in most places)
Nice fashion colors that only the CURVE series has
3.5 MM headjack
Nice form factor
New OS (Currently OS 5, but for OS 6 to arrive soon)
Excellent call quality
Decent Web browser
Mini SD up to 32GB
Use your songs as ringers
3G Internet Speeds
Wi-Fi
Personal Email (Up to 10 accounts can be added)
IM
BB Meesenger
BB App World
Full HTML Web Browser (Sometimes)
Excellent Multimedia Player (Accepts every format possible)
Crystal clear screen for playing videos
Includes 2 chargers (Wall Charger & USB charger)
Includes ear phones
Cons:
For long time BB users, this device is really just a cosmetic upgrade with a new OS (Flashier Icons)
Micro USB (No more Mini USB)
Camera is only 2.0MP and it should 8.0MP with HD recording capability
No Flash on the camera
Feels like a plastic toy
Poor screen resolution
Non RIMM Consumer Changes Mind!
Good entry level smartphones for new users who want to save without paying the high price. However, Verizon has pricey data and text messenging plans which are a requirement. It's hard to justify the plan prices for such an average entry level device when Sprint and TMobile offer unlimited everything for only thirty dollars a month. With Verizon, thirty bucks only gets you data and nothing else.


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Slim and affordable like its predecessor, the BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 for T-Mobile is a great choice for those who need to be connected to work, friends and family while on the go. The easily pocketable Curve 3G features a comfortable full-QWERTY keyboard for fast, accurate typing, optical trackpad for fluid navigation, and dedicated media keys so you can easily access your tunes while on the go.

And it's now compatible with T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network, which offers fast data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience that lets you connect quickly to social networking sites. Support for T-Mobile's 3G network also makes streaming music smoother and gives users the ability to talk on the phone while you browse the web, send instant messages with BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), or share your location with friends on popular social networking sites.

You'll also enjoy voice calls over Wi-Fi networks (802.11b/g), in addition to fast data connectivity and access to business and home networks. And, of course, you'll enjoy all the communication and connectivity features you've come to expect from a BlackBerry phone--including e-mail served up by the BlackBerry Internet Service and a full menu of messaging options (SMS, MMS, and IM).

You'll be able to access BlackBerry App World to download applications from a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones, including games, entertainment, social networking and sharing, news and weather, productivity and more. The BlackBerry Curve 3G runs the BlackBerry OS 5, but it's ready for upgrading to BlackBerry OS 6.

The built-in GPS supports navigation and location-based services via the included BlackBerry Maps application. A hot-swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot provides additional storage for multimedia files and archiving applications, with a 2 GB memory card included and support for optional 32 GB cards. Other features include a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, visual voicemail for easier access and response to voicemails, and up to 4.5 hours of talk time.


Staying Connected With BlackBerry's push e-mail technology, your e-mail will find you without having to initiate a connection. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, notifying you as new e-mail arrives. In addition to the text, you can also receive and view attachments in a wide range of popular file formats, including Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect, and Adobe PDF.
Browse the web with the integrated, full-featured browser, which quickly and efficiently displays HTML pages as well as enables you to set up RSS feeds to stay connected to up-to-the-minute news and blog posts. And keep up with your contacts using a variety of instant message (IM) networks, including the integrated Blackberry Messenger as well as downloadable clients for Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, and Lotus Sametime.
For corporate users, this BlackBerry device delivers all the enterprise e-mail and messaging capabilities you've come to expect. It's supported on the BlackBerry Internet Service, giving you access to up to 8 work or personal e-mail accounts (including most popular ISP e-mail accounts), as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments.


Key Features
Fast 3G connectivity via T-Mobile's HSDPA/UMTS network. (1700/2100 MHz bands, UMTS/HSDPA; see more about T-Mobile's 3G service below)
Unlimited nationwide Wi-Fi Calling with T-Mobile's Unlimited HotSpot Calling service or the new Wi-Fi Calling with MobileOffice solution for business customers. Get great coverage at home when used with a T-Mobile HotSpot @Home wireless router, and receive unlimited nationwide calls over Wi-Fi, at home or at any U.S. T-Mobile HotSpot. (Learn more)
Quad-band GSM phone for good global voice connectivity (850/900/1800/1900 MHz bands)
Ready for BlackBerry OS 6 (currently runs BlackBerry OS 5)
Support for BlackBerry App World featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include travel, productivity, entertainment, games, social networking and sharing, news and weather, and more.
Visual Voicemail enables you to listen to your voicemail messages in any order, respond in one click and easily manage your inbox without ever dialing in to the network.
GPS navigation and location-based services via BlackBerry Maps and other third-party solutions. (Learn more)
2.4-inch LCD screen (320 x 240 pixels, 65K colors)
Full QWERTY keyboard
Navigation trackpad
2-megapixel fixed focus camera with video capture capabilities
Multi-format digital audio and video player with compatibility for MP3, WMA 9 Pro, AAC+/eAAC+, MPEG4, H.263, H.264, and more.
Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
2 GB microSD card with support for optional cards up to 32 GB.
Full messaging capabilities including SMS text, MMS picture/video and IM instant messaging (via popular services including AOL, Yahoo!, Windows Live Messenger, and Google Talk)
BlackBerry Browser for accessing Web sites.
Organizer tools including calendar, task list, memo pad, and calculator
Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off
Integrated hands-free, full duplex speakerphone
Voice-activated dialing capabilities

Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 weighs 3.8 ounces and measures 2.4 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.5 hours of talk time, and up to 456 hours (19 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies, as well as T-Mobile's 3G network (1700/2100 MHz).

What's in the Box
BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 handset, rechargeable battery, charger, 2 GB microSD card, USB cable, stereo hands-free headset, quick start guide, user manual


T-Mobile Services
High-Speed Data Connectivity via T-Mobile's 3G Network In addition to its quad-band GSM connectivity, this phone is also compatible with T-Mobile's UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web.

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the via T-Mobile's EDGE network (which stands for "Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution"). This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and e-mail on the go.

While this phone is optimized for use with T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network, many of its functions will also work well on the moderate-speed EDGE network. If you plan to access the Internet extensively on your phone, 3G network coverage may serve you best.

Activities that work well on EDGE or 3G networks:

E-mail, instant messaging, and texting
Downloading ringtones, CallerTunes, wallpaper, light data files
Sending photographs via e-mail or picture messaging

Activities that work best on a 3G network:
Viewing content-heavy websites (lots of images or videos playing)
Viewing YouTube and other video files (they will play on EDGE, but require loading time)
Uploading large files (photos, videos, presentations) to sharing websites
Downloading large files from an e-mail or a website


T-Mobile's 3G network is currently available in more than 220 cities nationwide and covers more than 160 million people.

T-Mobile Wi-Fi Calling Service Effortlessly transition between Wi-Fi calling and T-Mobile's wireless network while you talk with T-Mobile's Unlimited HotSpot Calling service or the new Wi-Fi Calling with MobileOffice solution for business customers. Unlimited nationwide Wi-Fi Calling requires either a Wi-Fi Calling mobile plan or Wi-Fi Calling with MobileOffice service, qualifying rate plan, broadband Internet connection and wireless router. Regular plan minutes are used when call does not originate on Wi-Fi network.


T-Mobile's New, Expanding Super-Fast HSPA+ Network
As of June, 2010, T-Mobile has upgraded its traditional 3G network to HSPA+ in 25 major metropolitan areas across the U.S., and it plans to continue rolling out this network upgrade to over 100 metropolitan cities and up to 185 million people by the end of 2010. HSPA+ provides our fastest data speeds, up to 3 times faster than AT&T and Verizon's standard 3G networks, while allowing simultaneous voice and data capabilities for the ultimate wireless voice and data experience.


HSPA+ enabled areas will enjoy 4G-like speeds, with a theoretical capability of up to 21 Mbps peak download speeds (and typical download speeds averaging between 5 and 8 Mbps).

While this 3G-enabled mobile phone doesn't offer HSPA+ compatibility, it can benefit from enhanced speeds when connecting to the HSPA+ network today.

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