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The BlackBerry Curve 8250 is certainly a little light on features, with 3G and GPS the most serious omissions, but the phone manages to rise above these limitations. It's the combination of its excellent email features, long battery life and easy to use interface that make it so likeable. Read full review

Overall

8/10

User Rating

8/10

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By Niall Magennis
Reviewed 26 August 2009
Updated 05 February 2011

Price as reviewed

free/subscription

Review
- 1: BlackBerry Curve 8520
- 2: BlackBerry Curve 8520
User Reviews
Comments
Specs
5 Photos
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Awards

BlackBerry Curve 8520 details

Performance: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Features: 7/10
Design: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

Pros & Cons

Pros

Good price
Excellent QWERTY keyboard
Great email support

Cons

Lacks 3G
Light on features
Disappointing camera

Price as reviewed

free/subscription

Manufacturer

Research In Motion

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James Reckitt

9:38 AM on 26 August, 2009

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The 8520 matches my needs as a public user perfectly, it's just a case of whether it's cheap ENOUGH to make the 'better' devices take a back seat.

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Andi

12:51 PM on 18 September, 2009

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Blackberry's focus is market share and this device will not only attract a great consumer following, but also tempt in cost conscious small businesses. Dare I say its a very prudent choice. I bought this for my daughter (I use a bold personally) and I love the optical mouse, but the media controls are a bit of a waste of time as the latest BB's can skip back and forward with a long press of the volume controls.

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ElaineVance

12:08 PM on 3 January, 2010

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BE WARNED DO NOT PURCHASE THE BLACKBERRY CURVE 8520 PHONE - I cannot understand the last two reviews. This phone is useless and it certainly insults the terminology 'Smartphone'. I could think of other words like 'playphone' 'uselessphone' 'stupidphone' but not 'smartphone'. The definition is ridculously low, the screen is too small, handling is poor, it lacks 3G and GPS, viewing the browser (if you can get connected) is difficult to say the least as the screen is so small, the camera is measley with no flash,(the list is infinite - I could go on about the poorly designed user interface, the fact that a media card is required for video and camera use, poor memory, you are supplied with only one theme (a big ugly sunflower) I am sorry I cannot comment on the MP3 type function - I perish the thought). I have had two IT guys look at this for me in order to set up simple tasks like wireless connection and smartnumbers (their commonly used phrase for this phone is 'thickphone'). The user guide is of no help - probably because there is nothing about this phone that is of use. Another poor point - little to no accessories available. The unfortunate thing now is that I am stuck with it for 2 years. I feel that I have been fooled into buying something worthy of the title 'smart'.

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hansell

8:27 PM on 2 February, 2010

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i have to agree 100% with previous reviewer. this phone is a major disappointment coming from the nokia environment (e71, e63). the kbd is terrible - double-key typing is common. but the WORST of all is the period and no. typing. Its unbelievable that RIM couldnt have simply gone for the 'hold-down' function to get the alt. letter or number as in the nokias. most function just seem so under-developed. there is no full functionality pc-suite equivalent. surely rim must know users have other phones and will be comparing directly. we need new phones that take the best of others and build on it; not start a few steps back? Im desperately looking to swop the 8520 for another e63 or e71 (which are superb, well-optimised devices, not without its issues, but NOT BASIC ones like typing periods and other symbols...please!!)

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jessicahenks

3:18 PM on 7 May, 2010

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I really liked its 35-key backlit QWERTY keyboard. Recently I have purchased the same Blackberry 8520 from fones.com

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Brian 17

12:00 AM on 21 June, 2010

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Just bought this phone 2 days ago from T-mobile on payg for £149 Came with 6 months free internet & e-mail. I think it's great. Aswell as the usual phone facilities it's e-mail and messaging services are brilliant. I can chat on msn from any location aswell as send and receive e-mails. The phone can store up to 10 different e-mail addresses. If you want a good camera then buy a camera? As a mobile communication device, It cant be beat.

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HLKK

7:12 AM on 3 August, 2010

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I have had the Blackberry Curve 8520 about 2 months now, and ive never hadan easier life with a mobile phone. It's complex as its a smartphone but when you read the instructions and follow the setup properly things become more easier. Looking at "Elaine Vances" comment. The Blacberry is a smartphone and couldn't be described as useless; i can't see how the screen is too small and if yo need it you can make the print on the screen larger by a vast ammount. With every phone you buy sample photos are always on there and one is set as you background on the first page, you can delete this take a photo and change it thats what its there for. The wireless function takes time to setup,and use, because its got to link in with wireless. When i had mine i setg it up left ita few days and the wireless and internet browser are amzing. I love checking my emails every day when im 80 odd miles away from my wirelessplug in box at home.The MP3 music player on it is GREAT! i love it the sound quality is amazing compared to other phones.

There are a few disadvantages to the phone like all phones really:

1. The camera is of very poor quality which is a shame but i always take another camera out now. 2. The cursor stops working every now and again & you have to turn it on and off before it start again.

Overall the Blackberry Curve is a modern up to date smartphone and is very handy to have. Other comments you may see is that people cannot get use to the complex modern technology of the Blackberry Curve. It takes a bit of getting used to but overall a brilliant worth while mobile phone.

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