While you don't often see smartphones offered by smaller carriers, BlackBerrys tend to be the exception to the norm. The BlackBerry Curve 8530, for example, is now available for MetroPCS, after making the rounds with Verizon and Sprint. The Curve 8530 is decidedly an entry-level smartphone, but it's a pretty good one at that. It's not flashy by any means, but we like its features, and MetroPCS is throwing in a sweet $60 unlimited BlackBerry plan with it. Do note that the Curve 8530 is $230 with MetroPCS, but that's because you don't have to get it with a contract. For this review, we'll focus on the smartphone's performance and MetroPCS services, but for more information about the phone's design and features, please read our reviews of the Verizon Wireless RIM BlackBerry Curve 8530.
We tested the dual-band (CDMA 800/1900 Mhz; EV-DO) in San Francisco using the MetroPCS service. The call quality was fantastic. Neither side detected much background noise--we experienced great call clarity for the most part. We heard our callers clearly and thought their voices sounded quite natural, though a bit tinnier when heard via speakerphone.
On their end, callers said we sounded great. Volume was loud enough, and our voice came through with almost landline quality. On speakerphone, they said we sounded much the same, except louder. We paired the Curve 8530 with the BlueAnt Q2 and it worked well, with great audio. We also used the phone with a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint headphones, and music quality was really rich and full.
