BlackBerry Curve Or BlackBerry 8800… Which Would You Choose?

Tom
#1. September 27th, 2007, at 2:14 PM.

8820 on TMO, as soon as it’s available.

Josh
#2. September 27th, 2007, at 2:19 PM.

I had an 8800 for 2 weeks when it first came out on Cingular. I was incredibly disappointed, just didn’t feel right. I went back to my 8700 until the Curve came out. Picked up a Curve and have never looked back, truly the best device RIM has released to date.

Jason Chapa
#4. September 27th, 2007, at 3:25 PM.

I have the 8830. I love having broadband speed for tethering. Still can’t get that on GSM.

Eric
#6. September 27th, 2007, at 4:13 PM.

The Curve keyboard seems more like the keyboard on my 8703. I’ve played with the 8830 and I did not like the keyboard at all. So, in response to your question, I’d go with the Curve over and 8800 model Blackberry. I am fine without the camera, but if I get a camera too I am okay with that.

Eric

E-Rock (Eric was already taken)
#7. September 27th, 2007, at 4:24 PM.

Form factor aside, has anyone noticed a big difference in functionality (ie. overall OS speed, browsing speed, wifi browsing speed)?

Lance
#8. September 27th, 2007, at 6:11 PM.

I’d definately go witht he curve. I had the 8800 for a few days and just couldn’t adapt to it. The pearl is easier to use with the suretype. I just ordered the curve 8320 and can’t wait for it to arrive to use it.

Dieter
#9. September 27th, 2007, at 6:13 PM.

An iphone. BB is way behind the power curve in design and capabilities of their phones.

gquaglia
#10. September 27th, 2007, at 6:25 PM.

The curve all the way. The 8800 feels like a block, the curve has more rounded edges. Not to mention the keyboard and camera.

Erik
#11. September 27th, 2007, at 6:33 PM.

I really like my 8800…a Curve would be cool, but I think that the 8800 is sexier and more professional looking!

Jacky C.
#12. September 27th, 2007, at 7:35 PM.

Well, there’s really no comparison between the two. It really comes down to the target market. Clearly the 88XX is more for the Business user. It’s more powerful, bigger and easier to type on (thru it’s overall size–not the keyboard). The Curve is more of a branch-off from the Pearl–which RIM was targeting to the everyday consumer. It’s a multimedia phone.

For a student like myself, who likes to stay organized with hectic homework assignments, parties and is constantly texting friends, a CameraBerry would be perfect. But for someone using it for work, a camera probably wouldn’t be necessary and probably prohibited at work.

Roger
#13. September 27th, 2007, at 8:33 PM.

I would go with the Curve.

I am waiting patiently for a CDMA Curve to come out! I have had a 7750, 7250, and now a 8703e, and I refuse to get an 8830. I don’t like the keyboard on the 88xx series, and the smaller body and better spacing of the keys on the Curve are what do it for me.

Now if only we could get a CDMA version soon!!!!

Triumph
#14. September 27th, 2007, at 9:14 PM.

To Dieter who said “An iphone. BB is way behind the power curve in design and capabilities of their phones.”

I beg to disagree. What “power capabilities” of the iphone are advanced? The accelerometer? The touchscreen? The gimmicky ways to do really simple things like zoom, unzoom, delete, type and other functions?

Instead of keeping things simple, simple tasks and commands need more cpu power because of the gimmicky way they have to be executed/displayed on an iphone. As a busy person, I need my phone to do simple tasks quick and with minimum steps to do so. I do not appreciate having to delve into a number of levels in order to just make a simple phone call or to compose a quick text message.

“Pseudo-GPS” c/o Google Maps can be done in other cellphones as well. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2MP camera, MP3/AAC audio, MP4 video, IM, Quad Band GSM and EDGE are on parity with the new BlackBerry’s and the iPhone. And if you want true GPS, a number of BlackBerry’s are so equipped.

If you really want power, advanced features and capabilties in your cell, then I suggest you visit Japan where 3G, video calling, digital tv/video reception, geo-tagging and pay-by-cell are some “advanced” features that have been in use there for a couple of years now.

The iphone isn’t revolutionary, just flashy.

Triumph
#15. September 27th, 2007, at 9:21 PM.

I have a Pearl and an 8320. I was waiting for an 8820 but when I compared the typing feel of the 8320 with the 8800, I felt more comfortable (and could type faster) on the 8320. Sorry 8820…

Dave
#16. September 27th, 2007, at 9:35 PM.

I’m the BlackBerry Administrator for my company. We have many users with 8800s, 8300s (Curves), 8700s, and 8100s (Pearls). Out of all 4 devices most people enjoy the good ol’ 8700 for over all build quality, but they digg the heck out of the Curve for the software advances and camera.
Personally I’m a SureType kind of guy and am already in-line for the 8130 from Sprint. I have the 7130 now and have put the device through the ringer… it’s still going strong.
We’ve already seen quite a few Pearl and 8800 keys fall off from normal field use.
For this post my vote would go strongly towards the Curve (8300). The 8800 is impossible to type on and feels too large in my hands.

m00se
#17. September 27th, 2007, at 9:45 PM.

8320 hands down. The best Blackberry on the market today!

tOMPSON
#18. September 28th, 2007, at 2:03 AM.

I already own a 8300 since three months and all my colleagues use 8800 devices I have to say that I would stay on the 83xx line. If I would like one additional feature it would be GPS so the 8320 would be perfect for me.

I do not like the keyboard and the form factor of the 88xx devices.

Bob
#19. September 28th, 2007, at 7:15 AM.

I decided to look up radiation levels on the blackberrys I am considering to purchases, and did anyone take into consideration the Curve has one of the top ten highest levels of phones for sale in the US today? 1.51 w/kg where as something like the 8830 is only .63w/kg. 1.6 is the highest allowed by the FCC, having the 1.51 scares me just a little bit

Dean
#20. September 28th, 2007, at 8:27 AM.

8800. it looks so classy with its chrome sides and dark body. i have no problem with the keys on it, took a few minutes to get used to and never had a problem since, i can type just as fast as i did on my 8700c. love the trackball. wish i had waiting a few more months and got the 8820 though…

gquaglia
#21. September 28th, 2007, at 8:27 AM.

@Bob - Could it be because the Curve is GSM and the 8830 is CDMA?

Brandy
#22. September 28th, 2007, at 12:32 PM.

Well I have the 8830 and love it. It’s my first BlackBerry, so the keyboard isn’t much of a problem to me, since I had nothing to compare it to (unless you count my old ipaq). I have long skinny fingers so I don’t run into many problems with the form factor or keyboard, in fact my 8830 fits my hands perfectly. Now, to be honest when I was first looking at getting a BlackBerry, the Curve originally caught my eye, but seeing that I’m on Verizon, I went with the 8830 and haven’t regretted it.

Eddie
#23. September 28th, 2007, at 3:11 PM.

I have a personal 8300 and a work 8830. I personally like the 8300 for it’s keyboard, and extra features that I never use. The best part about the 8830, however, is it’s ability to tether with my Mac and PC laptops. So I have the best of both worlds. Forwards all my calls to my personal, and use the 8830 like a modem. The Pearls should die forever. Long live QWERTY!!!!

Dragonrich
#24. September 28th, 2007, at 5:36 PM.

Disclaimor: I’m a TREO fanatic, so my choice is obviously biased. I recently switched from Sprint to ATT and declined the “downgrade” to the Treo 680 (I have the Treo 700p). I wasn’t in the Windows version of ANYTHING so the choice was the Blackberry Curve. I chose this device initially for how close it was to the Treo in regards to features. Camera, easy and intuitive contact input, ergonomically correct (feels good in the hand) and multimedia capabilities. For these reasons I would recommend the Curve to ANYONE that wants a Blackberry. The 88xx series is designed for pure business use.

Now…when will the Curve have a video recorder on the device?

David B
#25. September 28th, 2007, at 6:07 PM.

8820.
a) no camera (I do gov’t contracting and cameras are a no-no)
b) BOTH WiFi and GPS (Curve will never be capable of doing says RIM)

Have a crippled 8830 (Verizon) now. May switch to an 8820 if I can find out if there’s decent GSM coverage here. Major thing holding me back is the awesome EV-DO tethering speeds I get. 8820 doesn’t have “3G”, and EDGE is just TOO slow for me.

gajohnson
#27. October 2nd, 2007, at 7:11 PM.

I bought the 8800 on AT&T the day it came out. It was my first BB and I have really been impressed with the functionality of the BB. My job is buying me a new BB and my choices are the 8300 or the 8800 (or the Pearl, but I need QWERTY for email). I went to the store and tested the Curve (8300) and immediately found typing easier even though I’ve been using the 8800 for 8 months. The form factor of the Curve felt great and the keyboard are the main reasons I will switch to the Curve. I won’t miss the GPS since I rarely used it.

Dezi
#28. October 18th, 2007, at 1:21 PM.

I’m on Verizon, so I don’t really have much of a choice, I have the 8830. But if you take the provider out of the equation and just consider the phones I would probably have to pick the 8830. I like the look of the 8830 SOOOO much better than the curve. I also like the fact that its a global phone. I have no problems with it when I go overseas. The keyboard isn’t an issue with me, I find I can type pretty quick on it (although I DO have small fingers and see how it can be a factor for others). The part of the curve that draws me would be the camera phone. It would be nice to finally have a camera phone (I’ve been using BB’s before most phones came with the camera option). In the end, the global capabilities and the sleek design win over the cameraberry.

The real question for me will be - should I switch to the pearl when it comes out???? They both have that sleek design - I maybe in trouble when that one comes out!

Eric
#29. March 21st, 2008, at 1:28 PM.

I’m only 18 years old I have no use for a blackbery but, my whole family has them so I kinda have to have one haha but yeah the curve has a camera and what not but the 8800 is so sexy black with the chrome on the sides I think the 8800 is just a better looking phone.

aj of brickell
#30. May 5th, 2008, at 6:31 PM.

i got the 8800 a week ago and its wonderful… the features and applications work beautifully together… unfortunately no camera…. but everyything else besides that this phone is amazing… i saw the curve and gave it thought about purchasing… ( but *shh* the 8800 looks way sleeker, sexier and professional then the curve)