Blackberry Curve 8330 Review

The Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 is a slight but rich improvement over the Verizon Wireless version of the same phone, thanks to the additional apps that Sprint has thrown in.

On Sprint's Curve, there was plenty of instant messaging options, including GTalk as well as the Facebook app for BlackBerry.

The Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 preserves the excellent battery life and improved scheduling capabilities that I have come to appreciate on this device. This is probably the best BlackBerry on the market, as well as the best multimedia smartphone Sprint has to offer.

Calling - Very good

Call quality on the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 was about the same as on the Verizon Wireless version. It also gets all of the great calling features, including a fine speakerphone, Bluetooth for handsfree calling, conference calling and speaker-independent voice dialing.

The Sprint BlackBerry Curve maintains RIM's impressive track record for battery life, easily topping eight hours of talking. It died a few minutes before the Verizon Wireless version, but it also got consistently better reception, so I consider this an "even steven" trade.

Messaging - Very good

In messaging, Sprint throws in loads of useful software, starting with some great instant messaging support for AOL, Yahoo and Google.

Sprint also packages a Facebook app for BlackBerry, so Facebook users can keep in touch with their online friends and update their profiles from the Curve. The standard BlackBerry messaging suite remains inspiring, with support for up to 10 personal e-mail addresses, configurable from the phone.

Scheduling - Very good

The calendar on the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 is improved over the original Curve. It's still fairly basic, but it looks smoother than before, with some nice color accents that make it easier to read.

The only difference between this version and the Verizon calendar is the color choice: yellow on Sprint, red for VZW. Though the phone packs support for Outlook's calendar and RIM's own BlackBerry Enterprise Solution, it still isn't as feature-rich as a Windows Mobile phone paired with an Exchange ActiveSync solution.

Music - Good

Sprint's version of the BlackBerry Curve 8330 includes the updated RIM BlackBerry media menu, as well as Sprint's over-the-air music store. The music store looks nice and sleek on this phone, one of the better interface designs that I have seen for the music store, and it remains as competitive as ever.

To download a track will cost $0.99, and for every track you buy on the phone you also get to download a file to your PC. I loved the deep selection of songs, and I definitely think this gives the phone an advantage over the Verizon Wireless version.

With the 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo Bluetooth support, this BlackBerry is indeed made for music listening, so the more options the better. An added bonus, Sprint has bundled a 1GB microSD memory card.

Navigation - Very good

The Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 uses the carrier's own Sprint Navigator for driving directions, and I liked the TeleNav-based app even better than the VZ Navigator. It did a slightly better job of tracking me when I went off course, and the maps and turn screens looked better, as well.

If you go to the next page you can find out how to get a FREE Blackberry Curve 8330