In a nutshell: If you want to keep in touch with your email
on the move, then the BlackBerry Curve is the choice for you. With
a full QWERTY keypad and BlackBerry's renowned push email applications,
you really will have a mobile office in your pocket. It also includes
a camera, a media player, Bluetooth connectivity and a memory card
slot. The BlackBerry 8310 is our pick of the Curve series, as it
also includes GPS navigation. Best buy:
*Free* from Mobiles.co.uk
or Vodafone
Business Shop.
Review:
March 2008.
The BlackBerry 8310 is our favourite of the current
Curve series of BlackBerries. More compact than the 88xx series,
yet with a full 35-key QWERTY keypad, the Curve series treads the
line between dedicated business machine and consumer-friendly smartphone.
The 8310 retains the core features that made BlackBerry into a household
name and indispensable business tool: full keypad and push email.
It also adds some new features that make the Curve more like a multimedia
smartphone: a camera, media player and GPS satellite navigation.
It is this last feature - the GPS navigation - that distinguishes
the 8310 from the other Curves (the 8300
& 8320).
All of the BlackBerry Curves are essentially the
same, except that the 8310 has GPS navigation, the 8320
has WiFi and the poor little 8300
has neither. It's obviously a personal choice as to whether GPS
or WiFi is the more useful tool. In our opinion, the GPS is more
useful, but that's just us! The GPS implementation in the 8310 is
a good one, and can be used both on foot and in the car.
Looking at the core features of the 8310, we really
love the full keypad. Really, serious mobile emailing is out of
the question without one, in our opinion. The BlackBerry Curve delivers,
and takes mobile communication to another level - whether by email,
or text messaging. The one thing that we dislike about the Curve
is the trackball, which is used to navigate around the screen and
select options. When it works, it works well. But when it doesn't,
then it can be really annoying. We've deducted one mark from our
rating because of the trackball. Apart from the trackball, the Curve
works well ergonomically. The display is large, at 2.5 inches across,
and high resolution. It's not in the premier league of LCD displays
(the iPhone has double the resolution
and most smartphones now have 16 million colour screens), but it's
good enough. One thing that we definitely like is the user-selectable
font size. There are other features such as password protection,
user-definable keys and voice dialling that make the whole Curve
experience that little bit better. The Curve is large, and you'll
need both hands to use it, but the keys are easy to press and the
overall experience is positive.
Obviously, most people buy a BlackBerry to keep
in touch with their email. The BlackBerry 8310 handles email very
well indeed. Not only is the system very easy to use (pretty much
as easy as on a PC), it supports all of the systems and protocols
that people will need:
BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for Microsoft®
Exchange
BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for IBM® Lotus®
Domino®
BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for Novell® GroupWise®
Integrates with an existing enterprise email
account
Integrates with existing personal email account
Integrates with new device account
Support for AES or Triple DES encryption when
integrated with BlackBerry Enterprise Server
The 8310 also has a decent web browser. However,
with no 3G or WiFi, it's unlikely that anyone would make extensive
use of this feature. 3G is conspicuous by its absence. In fact the
only connectivity is Bluetooth.
What's new about the latest Curve series is the
multimedia features that help to bridge the gap between the traditional
BlackBerry and the modern multimedia smartphone. The 8310 incorporates
a 2 megapixel camera and a media player. BlackBerry are not at their
strongest in this area: the camera can't complete with the cameras
on most other smartphones, and there's no video recording capability
(although you can play back video.) Nevertheless, it's a move in
the right direction. The media player supports features like playlists
and shuffle, and you can listen to music whilst using other applications.
On the positive side, there is a 3.5 mm stereo headset port that
will fit standard third-party headsets, and the 8310 is also compatible
with Bluetooth
stereo headsets.
The battery life of the BlackBerry 8310 is excellent,
especially when compared with most other smartphones. Despite this,
and despite the large size of the device, it's weight is surprisingly
low. Really, it's in many ways a very practical device. If email
on the move is your priority, then the BlackBerry 8310 is our top
recommendation. It may not have all the bells and whistles of some
other phones, but it does its core job amazingly well and does most
other things well enough too. Consider the BlackBerry
8320 as an alternative if the WLAN appeals.
Features
of the BlackBerry 8310 include:
2 megapixel camera with flash and digital zoom
LCD display: 320 x 240 pixels, 65000 colours
Media player
Messaging: SMS, MMS, instant
messaging, push email with attachment viewer
Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0, modem, 3.5mm stereo
headset port
Memory: 64 Mbytes plus microSD memory card slot
Size: 107 x 60 x 15.5 mm
Weight: 111g
Quadband
Talktime: 4 hours
Battery standby: 400 hours
BlackBerry
8310 Consumer Reviews
Love
your mobile? Hate it? Please share your experiences to help other
people choose the phone that's best for them. Please do not review
this phone if you have not used it. This is a review site, not a
forum, so please don't just ask questions. Please do not use swear
words or offensive language, and please, no advertising!
Average
rating from 46 reviews:
Reviewed by DEEVO from SOUTH AFRICA
on 13th May 2009
EXCELLENT PHONE WHEN ITS WORKING WELL BUT ONCE IT STARTS RE-BOOTING
AND DELETING MAILS ITS TIME FOR AN UPGRADE BECAUSE THIS WILL BE
A CONSTANT PROBLEM EVEN AFTER THE PHONE HAS RETURNED FROM THE SERVICE
PROVIDERS REPAIRS. THIS IS CURRENTLY MY THIRD BLACKBERRY AND COUNTING
AND AT THIS MOMENT IT IS GONE IN FOR YET ANOTHER REPAIR FOR THE
SAME PROBLEM. TO THOSE WHO WANT THE VIDEO CAMERA FEATURE, SEND THE
PHONE IN FOR A SOFTWARE UPGRADE ( USUALLY TAKES A FEW HOURS ) Rating:
Reviewed by Pav Verity from Scotland
on 12th May 2009
Blackberry ? Hmmmm... Actual sound disappointing... Battery life
-what they don't tell you -KEEP IT IN THE HOLSTER!! (there seems
to be a small magnet that de-activates the phone). Itook mine ski-touring
in Norway, forgot the holster. Tried twice fo find coverage - 5
minutes each time. Finally saw a radio mast and the battery was
absolutely drained... In the absence of holster,every movement of
the sack must (I guess ) have turned it on looking for a signal.
IF I had been relying on it holding a charge I would have been doomed!
Net usage - I tried very briefly to locate one item of information
on the web in Norway - result a month later - an "unexplained" £9
/$15 item in my bill (tariff not unlimited net use) for a few seconds
chasing (absolutely useless ) info Rating:
Reviewed by Abimbola from London on
6th May 2009
LOVE IT but if u dnt av internet ders nothin much to do Rating:
Reviewed by Udit from UK on 15th
Apr 2009
All great features and easy to use phone! Pro: Trackball Con(s):
Looks and absence of shortcut to keypad locking Rating:
Reviewed by Claudio from Brazil on
24th Mar 2009
This phone is great.I use for business and fun, and I really love
it Rating:
Reviewed by Joseph mwamba from South
africa on 17th Mar 2009
My Blackberry 8310 records video, maybe it's because I upgraded
my OS from 4.2.2 to 4.5 Rating:
Reviewed by Maxie from U.S.A on
4th Mar 2009
Since I travel alot, I don't need a GPS! I have my awesome blackberry
phone! I'm even texting my friend right now! Rating:
Reviewed by Ben Robinson from England
on 2nd Mar 2009
I've only just got this phone, but already i'm impressed. The browser
works well and and no matter how much i use it the battery just
doesnt seem to die. The MP3 player and games (loads of sites offering
free ones for this model) mean i can use it for more than just keeping
in contact with people - its a welcome mature change from the Sony
Erricsons + Nokias available. Unlike normal i'll be keeping this
phone for a while. Rating:
Reviewed by Frieda Kliewer from USA
on 27th Feb 2009
I have been using the IPHONE for personal use for more than a year.
I up graded to a 3G and it's great but for work I needed something
that was geared more to the business side. I bought a Blackberry
Curve and I LOVE IT. It is pretty and will do about anything the
IPHONE does. The screen is nice and big and the resolution is nice.
I have had at least 5 or 6 PDA phones. I started years ago with
a BB, when to 2 treos and various other ones but I am back to the
BB. I love it. Rating:
Reviewed by GARY BOOTH from UK on
26th Feb 2009
Useful handset..... when it worked. I had three replaced in around
6 months. Bluetooth connectivity issues and would not store sat
nav software mainly. Shame that reliability let it down. Have now
moved onto Bold and already found out about SD Card recognition
problems. Why do people like Blackberry so much. Rating:
Reviewed by Aexander Portillo from England
on 17th Feb 2009
the blackberry curve is an amazing phone it is like a portable computer
it has a memory slot a camera and a very very good email connectivity.
i love this phone and i will never get a new one Rating:
Reviewed by Laura from England on
29th Jan 2009
I've had this phone since August/September and I paid £300 for it
at Carphone warehouse. One of the best phones I have had. The only
problem is it takes a while to turn back on. Facebook and email
on it is quality, I would deffo recommend anyone that uses the internet
alot this phone!! It is small to say it has a full keyboard and
packed with features. I cannot get my blackberry messenger to work
but I think that is Orange? Or maybe I've not set it up correctly!
But amazing phone! Rating:
Reviewed by Jeremy from UK on
21st Jan 2009
I have the BlackBerry 8320 Curve and personally I think this phone
is great, those with One stars below can be ignored. If you have
problems contact your service provider, don't base it on the phone.
Plenty of Applications, Games and Themes can be found for free via
the Internet too. The user just needs to be aware of what they're
downloading/installing and where they got it from. Prefer it to
the iPhone, much faster and I dislike touch screen phones. I wouldn't
give it 5 stars, as the graphics aren't amazing, but its a smartphone
after-all. Believe it or not I am a Mac user and PocketMac is a
great piece of Desktop software it comes with, enabling you the
user to sync your .Mac account, Address Book, iCal etc, iTunes,
iPhoto and back up all your messages. If you want a 'sexy' phone
go for a blackberry storm or iphone as it has a better interface.. Rating:
Reviewed by David from UK on
20th Jan 2009
Had nothing but problems with this phone. I'm currently on my second
replacement handset and all 3 have had issues with the phone randomly
(and frequently) turning itself off and re-booting. I could not
recommend this handset to anyone. Rating:
Reviewed by Johnny D from uk on
19th Jan 2009
AT the very best its average,if I'm being kind, bad battery life,
edge, GPS isnt worth the price Support from Rim is terrible Rating:
Reviewed by tsering tashi from nepal
on 15th Jan 2009
outstanding phone....its really different from other and that's
what it makes it more popular.. keep it up Rating:
Reviewed by steve from united kingdom
on 1st Jan 2009
hello i went to buy this device from ebay.co.uk and its a staggering
piece of equipment i have just upgraded from my nokia n70 within
the blackberry range they do a outstanding range of devices and
if you add them up yes you get the blackberry 8310 mobile phone
good camera excellent screen and a brilliant satellite navigation
system the downfall is it will take a time a week or so to get used
to the difficult to use keypad. Rating:
Reviewed by martin from united kingdom
on 20th Dec 2008
Hate it. I bought the phone as I was working abroad and needed to
receive e-mails. Nobody told me that it doesn't support fsmail.net
web mail. A waste of money and I am stuck in a 18 month contract! Rating:
Reviewed by Frank Moore from USA on
6th Dec 2008
The review above it right on except I have not had any problems
with the track ball and love it. I use the phone extensively to
keep in contact with the other members of our product team at any
time day or night and weekends. It's great knowing if someone on
the team has a question and wants to get a question asked they can
either through email, Google Talk, Messager or strait phone txt
messages. It also helps me keeps up with the family. SMS, MMS messages
are flying all the time between us. It's great to know that I can
comunicate with my family quitely even with I'm in a meeting or
traveling. With other phones I would either have to step out of
a meeting or wait until I was in a quiet area to communicate with
others. Not it's just a couple of keystrokes and we know what's
going on. The GPS is outstanding for planning trips although it's
lacking with vocal turn by turn directions but that's what my Garmin
is for:) The multimedia is great for listening to music while on
the go. I have not used the movie player much but what I have used
it for it has worked well. It's a limited in the number of supported
formats but with the desktop app that came with the phone the conversion
is simple. The two meg pix camera is good for taking pictures for
your profiles but that's about it. It's a camera on your phone!
I really don't expect a lot from a camera on any phone. Rating:
Reviewed by Nick G from UK on
6th Dec 2008
Well, I've had my 'phone for 8 months or so now and kinda lust after
an iPhone. However, the straightforward functionality of the 8310
as a business unit is great. Just installed the video upgrade :-)
so the only thing to grumble about now is the sat nav. To say it
is useless is to do a disservice to all those other useless things
out there. It has made me late for meetings by supposedly 'avoiding'
traffic delays and even when the roads are clear it selects terrible
routes (and no, it is not the set up as I've been through all that).
Because of the sat nav problems an 8320 looks like the better of
the units to have. But now there is Storm... Rating:
Reviewed by Kathy from UK on
14th Nov 2008
I love this BlackBerry but PLEASE tell me if/how you can change
the message alert? Driving me insane! Otherwise its fantastic Rating:
Reviewed by David Goh from Australia
on 14th Nov 2008
Cannot get the GPS to work. Support from RIM is bad. Rating:
Reviewed by Libby from United States
on 4th Nov 2008
I've had the Blackberry 8310 for just a short time, but I really
like it. I was easily won over by the fact that I could change the
font!! Anyway, I'm always on the go with my kids and need to reference
emails quite frequently while on the move to different game locations
(enter the GPS Nav!!). I love it. The voice directions are wonderful
and you can even download differnt voices if you choose. I haven't...but
I could! Overall a good phone. Some things are hard to find due
to in the menu, but not so much that I regret this purchase. Rating:
Reviewed by savannah from england on
4th Nov 2008
MY LIFE DEPENDS ON THIS PHONE , IT'S MY BABY AND IT DOES EVERYTHING
PERFECT! Rating:
Reviewed by Milena from United Kingdom,
England, London on 27th Oct 2008
Dear ppl, This phone is great! I would DIE without it! Rating:
Reviewed by Matthew Pitch from UK on
8th Oct 2008
For the money, i think its great! Ok the i-Phone 2 is much better,
but its cost double ! Rating:
Reviewed by Simon from UK on
27th Sep 2008
By a iphone 3G.........I use the BB 8310 through work however have
a iphone as my normal phone, I regualry compare their performance.
Its like a drag race.....the BB (VW Golf) reliable with good specs
but when it comes to performance a little slow and dissapointing.
Then iphone (Aston Martin DB9) Awsome slick ground breaking innovating
and just beautiful to look at. The touch screen querty keyboard
is far more easy to use than the little keys on the BB. There is
no question for me on business and pleasure use...iphone 3g!! Sorry
BB but you are 2nd place!! Rating:
Reviewed by Saif Merchant from India
on 27th Aug 2008
everything which is needed in your phone is present so enjoy business
with music Trust nobody ...... Looks always for profit saif merchant
Rating:
Reviewed by Jon from UK on 26th
Jul 2008
Excellent device, faster than 3G due to the blackberry compression
in use instant delivery of email and good coverage... A keeper until
the Bold turns up! Rating:
Reviewed by Jon S from UK on
18th Jul 2008
Email works well, phone is good, and the voice dialing works fairly
well. Internet is pretty good and not too slow. MP3 player is adequate
(not as good as my iPod but OK) and the camera is good too - I won
a national photographic competition with a pic taken on my 8310!
I havent really used the sat nav much - voice directions would have
been nice - or maybe it has them but I haven't found it yet...All
in all, a lot of gadgets in one phone. Rating:
Reviewed by andrew scott-collins from
uk on 17th Jul 2008
this is my first blackberry 8310 curve i used to have windows pda
and nokias but after using this device for a couple of days i was
amased how quickly the e/mail keeps pushing into the device from
my account i dont need to use the laptop or computer as much now
wish i had this a few years ago excellent device Rating:
Reviewed by Ruel P. from Trinidad &
Tobago on 12th Jul 2008
It's a great phone to have...light,user-friendly and did i mention
looks!!! i wont trade this for the i-phone or many others! Best
one i ever had! Rating:
Reviewed by Craig from uk on
4th Jul 2008
bit of learning curve I found at first, software included on disc
nightmare on vista, bluetooth tricky with a pc but works, t-mobile
web and walk awful. Instructions basic. Was very disappointed at
first, thank god for forums. But after putting 4.5.037 version on
it, htmls emails work better, can save and download attachments.
Get opera mini browser, alot better and faster than web and walk's
in many areas. Naviman basic sat nav, works, does the job. Voice
dial features is the best I have used. Rating:
Reviewed by bill turney from uk on
27th Jun 2008
phone & service is appalling Help please Rating:
Reviewed by Bria from UK on 16th
Jun 2008
This is an excellemt phone. The games are really god and I really
like the pearl feature in it. Overall I'd say this is an absolutely
amazing phone. Rating:
Reviewed by Wayne from United States
on 12th Jun 2008
i just wanted to say that everything you said about the Curve is
dead on, i do wish it still had the track wheel, instead of the
track ball, but i love my BB 8310. another this is mine is capable
of recording video, "thanks to the new app upgrade, anf the curve
is complete..this upgrade is availble for any curve, the site is
www.vodacom.co.za/about/downloads/blackberry_handhelds.jsp just
download the one for your blackberry and your good to go..but for
this to work you must deletet the Vender.xml file, and then you'll
be all set...i found this site on Pinstack.com...good luck everyone
with a curve:especially and BB 8310... Rating:
Reviewed by Alowen from England on
1st Jun 2008
Leonardo Taggio: So possibly not a dodgy battery then.......it happens,
lets not write off one of the worlds most popular mobile devices
so swiftly eh !!!!!!!!!!!?????!!!!!??????? Rating:
Reviewed by Leonardo Taggio from United
Kingdom on 27th May 2008
The Blackberry 8310 is a great phone. but the battery life is very
poor. I have to charge it every night. I am afraid i will have to
replace it soon, I am giving a 1 star rating because of the battery
life. Sorry Blackberry fans Rating:
Reviewed by Alowen from England on
25th May 2008
Granted i`ve only had mine for 3 days now but i`ve been working
with them for nearly 6 months and for the purpose they are intended
for they are excellent. Lets be honest here, Blackberries are all
about Emails. The internet 2.5G speed is fine for casual browsing
and as for the camera being 2mp its an added bonus in my opinion.The
lack of wi-fi isnt worth losing any sleep over. The size is also
bearable considering the amount of functions inside. The free 12
month Vodafone satnav is good, agreed its not the best but works
good enough. All in all its an excellent device thats full of goodies.
A worthy 4 stars. Rating:
Reviewed by Doug from usa on
12th May 2008
The phone is great, but the internet stinks. It has edge instead
of 3g which is slow, and you have to buy a blackberry package which
costs more than regular internet and messaging packages for regular
phones. So great phone but I think for the money I could have got
a great phone for less money. As far as being a great smartphone
I don't think so. And the gps or nav system costs 9.99 a month so
don't get sucked in by that selling pitch. Rating:
Reviewed by Petey from UK on
11th May 2008
In my opinions phone rulez ! There is lot od pluses which I Could
be stating , only one minus is someties quality of a call , sometimes
when you speak , you cant hear whats on the other site , so if someone
wants to break you you cant hear it , but rarely , except that its
brill ! Rating:
Reviewed by ntsiki from south africa
on 31st Mar 2008
i love it, but the main features are a problem to use. Rating:
Reviewed by Kate from Manchester on
27th Mar 2008
I LOVE my BlackBerry :) It really is amazing. The camera isnt great
and its a shame about being unable to record videos, but a definite
must have for those always on the go. The gps is good too. The multi
text thing is a let down, as you would assume a phone like this
to have that capability, but i must say there are more pros than
cons with this phone. BUY ONE. Rating:
Reviewed by nick sievewright from england
on 5th Mar 2008
didnt want a blackberry for ages and actively avoided them for all
the reasons of wanting a home life as well as a work one.....but...
now having had one for a while it is nothing short of brilliant.
the e mails drop in unanounced so you can ignore them if you want
and everything else works fine. the gps is good, i would like to
do multi texting but you cant with this phone - this is my only
gripe and that's such a small one not really worth worrying about Rating:
Reviewed by David from Manchester on
14th Feb 2008
Both me and my wife have one of these phones and have had this model
for over 6 months. We both think its the best thing since sliced
bread. As a business tool linked with 02 Blackberry it cannot be
faulted. Both have been dropped on more than one occasion and are
still intact and reasonably unmarked. Its not a gadget so has no
video. The camera is reasonable. Can only send one text at a time.
But then if you want a gadget why are you looking at this phone?
For serious users only. Rating:
Reviewed by Sarah from USA on
13th Feb 2008
This is an amazing phone if you need a PDA, or you use the internet
on it. If not... go with something else. Overall the screen is fantastic,
the rollerball is the best thing in the world, and the camera shoots
beautifully clear pictures. The reason I gave this only 4 stars
is because the body is a bit... cheap. I had the red one, so I don't
know if that makes a difference. I went through 2 of these in 3
weeks. The first one I noticed the same evening I bought it that
part of the top cover was loose and moved. This didn't affect the
phone itself but it was annoying when texting. So I exchanged it,
and within days the phone was worse than the original! The microphone
part jiggled a lot, and the cover moved. I never dropped my phones,
and always kept them in the case. This was from regular usage. So,
if you don't mind a little bit of phone creakage, I'd say go for
it. From what I heard not all of them act goofy like mine. Rating:
