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- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 106 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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18 out of 22 people found this review helpful
3.0 stars
"Pretty cool device...but...."
Pros: PERFECT for using email, surfing, PDA...easy to set-up & fugure out
Cons: as a phone it sucks
Summary: Grabbed this a couple of weeks ago because I thought it answered my need for not carrying both a BB AND a cell phone...its basically the size of a cell plus the added benefit of a powerful PDA.
The latter does not disappoint...really, its fantastic. However, there is a bit of Emperor's new clothes here if anyone thinks if one intends to use it as their main cell line they will not be jumping back to the mid-late '90's as far as call quality and experience goes. Traditional cells work great in my area so I know its not the service. Also, I keep getting a SIM card error...the store keeps telling me to simply take the card out and put it back in which I do. This resolves the problem temporarily however it has happened 6 times in the past 3 days...and I am not exactly jogging or playing catch with it. I admit this may be specific to my device but I thought I would let you know.
To sum up...utterly fantastic PDA, throwback as a phone.Updated
I posted an earlier summary and loved the PDA functions but hated the phone service (I switched from Verizon to Cingular/ATT to get the device). I returned the unit today thinking perhaps I had a lemon but I gotta tell you...I experineced the same poor call quality (I live in the Santa Monica, CA area...not exactly on the outskirts of bumfu$#%&-ville...a town with no coverage). Either Cingular(ATT) sucks in LA and this thing is a fantastic PDA, or it is a horrible cell phone. Nevertheless...going back to the evil Verizon tomorrow AM, thanks to the 30 day test run.
- 8 replies to this review
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I just picked up my Curve a few days ago and I dig the thing.
After spending some time in retail electronics I can say this about the phone quality, as far as reception and sound quality, I think the Curve is right on the mark. My area is one of the top 5 wireless markets in the country and I've noticed that this makes a huge difference when it comes to service. The AT&T footprint up here is incredible.
As a former customer of the old Cell One, Cingular, Verizon, Sprint PCS/Nextel (either as a sales rep enjoying employee packages or as employee of a company using the service as primary communications) I can tell you that footprint is key.
My most recent personal wireless carrier before going back to AT&T was T-Mobile. There service was good (Sidekick II) but the area I live in now, is one of those dreaded "Dead Zones". I found out that once I was more than a mile or so to eather side of Interstate 90, the coverage was GONE. AT&T filled this void nicely. -
I just got the Verizon version. It works at least as well as any Verizon phone I have owned, which is too many! Must be an AT&T thing.
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I'm doing research for a replacement for my Blackberry and I've read at least 10-15 reviews from people in CA and most of them have complained about AT&T's service. My work phone is AT&T and personal is with T-Mobile and I live in Atlanta-area, GA and have excellent coverage in Southeast area with both. Verizon even works, with the exception of my house.
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I honestly think the problems you are having are related to AT&T and not the Blackberry. I had Cingular ever since I had a cell phone (for about 4 or 5 years now), and never really had any problems with the service. However, since they switched to AT&T, I have been experiencing some major problems. I have been having SEVERAL dropped calls each day. I know it is not my cell phone, because I had it when the service was Cingular and didn't experience a single dropped call that I can remember. One AT&T lady told me that 2 and 3 dropped calls a day was good compared to other services. This further irritated me because I am not an idiot. When I talk on my cell phone now, I just expect a dropped call to happen each time I am on it. Anyway, just thought I would share that info with you.
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Unfortunately it's the company that's offering the phone that stinks. I have a number of friends who live in the area (LA) who've all had problems with their coverage while using different cell phones. Most of them have decided to switch back to Verizon even though they don't like the phones. I'm with T-Mobile and travel frequently to LA. My coverage is hit-or-miss but definitely better than my friends who have had Cingular.
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Its the LA cingular service... i live in LA too and hav had the same problem with different phones
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i live in hollywood ca and had a simialr problem with the 8700..ima multi tasker, who isnt though? i like keeping my phone between my cheek and shoulder and couldnt do this with the 8700.(there are plenty of high end phones that i can do this with, its n not the technique) people constantly complained they couldnt hear me, or i sounded like i was in a drum... and having to standstill and dedicate 1 hand to a phone wont work for me. i frequently had difficulty hearing people as well. the earpiece thing doesnt work for me either, but it might be my only option..im going to try the Curve before buying it though making sure it is is the quality i need..thanks for the post
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You most likely have a defective unit if you keep getting SIM card errors. I have had this unit for over 2 weeks with no issues. In fact, my coworkers and friends comments that they much prefer the phone quality of this Curve compared to my past phones, especially the 8700.
Where to buy
RIM BlackBerry Curve 8300 - silver (AT&T):
$219.95 - $220.00
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$220.00 | Yes |
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$219.95 | Yes |
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