BlackBerry 8520 Curve

“As an entry-level smartphone, the Curve 8520 lacks some of the bells and whistles of the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900, such as GPS and a high-resolution screen, but it delivers on the core features and offers great performance. In addition, the smartphone features a sleek design that includes a new optical trackpad and dedicated media controls.”

“If you don't need an entirely touchscreen phone, but do want a great physical keyboard, good battery life and a chance to try a BlackBerry without breaking the bank, then the Curve 8520 is a great choice. The design isn't that exciting, and surfing the web without 3G can sometimes be painful. The photos aren't great, either, and there's no GPS. But the things it can do, it does well, so it's up to you to decide what you really need!”

“If you’re not too concerned about surfing the web and want something reliable, this Curve 8520 should be something to consider. You can hold up to 16GB of memory with a microSD card and can play all the music you want. Sound quality is decent, but nothing to write home about. In addition, as all BlackBerry devices are truly about making the messaging experience.”

“Overall I'm impressed with the Curve 8520. At this point I can't say I would use it daily due to my needs (and wants), but as I said previously I only wish it were around a few years back when I could have put it to the test. For me the deal breaker is jumping back to the lower resolution screen. The main thing to keep in mind is that the 8520 isn't necessarily an upgrade for current users, but designed as an entry level device for new users or those on a budget. It has nearly all the features of full powered devices like the Curve 8900, Bold and Tour, only with some slimmed-down specs. As Kevin put it a while back, the 8520 is like the BMW 3 Series. Its not the top of the line model or an upgrade for some drivers, but the need for an entry level option is always there.”