Home › Reviews ›

Review: BlackBerry 9330 Curve 3G

Form Basics Extras Wrap-Up Comments 18

Menus Calls/Contacts Messaging Social Networking

The Curve 3G runs the 5.x system software from RIM. Verizon Wireless and RIM say that the Curve 3G will be updated to RIM's newer BlackBerry 6 operating system at some point, but haven't said when that will be. Until that update rolls around, you're stuck with the ages-old OS 5.

Out of the box, there are six app shortcuts running along the bottom of the screen. These can be changed by the end user. Press the BlackBerry key to get at the main menu from the home screen. All of the apps, folders and settings controls are in this main page. Again, everything on this screen can be moved around and lumped into / retrieved from folders as the user wants. Users can also choose to hide unwanted or unused applications.

The icons on the main screen and some of the sub-folders are nice, but once you dig down deep into the menus, the Curve 3G resorts to simple text lists on a white background. This has remained unchanged forever and looks more dated with each new BlackBerry.

Within any given application on the Curve 3G, the BlackBerry button is the main way to take action, make changes or adjust settings. No matter what it is that you need to do in an application, the BlackBerry key is the way to do it. Having this default method system-wide makes it easy to learn.

Overall, the Curve 3G is very responsive. There's no lag when using the optical mouse and navigating around menus. All of the applications that are pre-loaded from RIM and Verizon jumped to life with no delay.

Based on Phone Scoop's review of the BlackBerry Torch 9800, OS 6.0 offers a solid upgrade in usability and integration between applications. Hopefully Verizon Wireless will offer BlackBerry 6 software to the Curve 3G long before the year is out.

Next page: Calls/Contacts

Related

Samsung Refreshes Galaxy S Series with S Pen, New Cameras

Feb 9, 2022
Samsung today announced its lineup of flagship phones for 2022: the Galaxy S22 series. The top-end S22 Ultra sees the biggest changes as it essentially absorbs Samsung's Note series with an integrated S Pen stylus and a more Note-like shape and design, instead of the Contour Cut design of the other models.

Samsung Refines its Foldable Phones

Aug 10, 2022
Samsung has announced its newest generation of foldable phones: the Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4. Both have similar designs and features compared to their predecessors, with a slew of small updates and refinements across the board.

iPhone 14 Plus Offers a Big Screen For Less

Sep 7, 2022
Apple has revealed the iPhone 14 series, with new features, improved specs, and new size options. In place of a Mini option, the iPhone 14 will come in the same 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen size options as the Pro models.

iPhone 15 Series Goes All-In on USB-C and Dynamic Island

Sep 12, 2023
Apple has revealed the iPhone 15 series, which moves to a USB-C connector and brings several key features from last year's Pro models to the more-affordable standard models. These include the pill-shaped sensor cutout in the display that Apple calls Dynamic Island, a brighter display that can reach 2000 nits, a 48 megapixel main camera, and the A16 Bionic processor chip.

Samsung Updates Foldables with Water Resistance, S Pen

Aug 11, 2021
Samsung's third-generation foldable phones are slimmer, lighter, more durable, and more affordable. The Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 both feature IPx8 water resistance as well as bodies crafted from a new "Armor Aluminum" material and Gorilla Glass Victus.

BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330

2.5" display 320 x 240 pixels
1,150 mAh battery
Memory Card Slot, Hardware Text Keyboard, Headphone Jack (3.5mm)

more news about: