Review: BlackBerry Curve 8310

I am old enough to remember when all you could do with a phone is make a call…heck I remember rotary dial telephones. I think my parents' were the last in the state to get with touchtone. I kept teasing them that the Smithsonian is going to come and confiscate their rotary phone.

In the 80's, I had one of those "mobile phones" there were the size of a loaf of bread, and weighed about the same as a third grader. But I was cool, listening to Depeche Mode and driving my 1971 Plymouth Fury. Risking hernia or concussion every time I used my "mobile phone".

Fast-forward to 2008....

Dave's Answer:

Phones now can do everything from keeping your schedule, play your music, take pictures, and help you navigate to your destination. Oh yeah, you can make calls too.

I recently upgraded my phone to an AT&T BlackBerry Curve 8310. I’ve had it for one week, as of the writing of this review, and I think it's starting to grow on me.

I will most likely not use half of the capabilities of this amazing piece of electronic wizardry, but that doesn’t negate how I am blown away by everything it is able to do: There is GPS navigation, you can play music and video, it has Bluetooth and computer sync available. And a camera that takes really high resolution pictures.

Blackberry Curve 8310 RED/CRANBERRY Here are some specs of the BlackBerry Curve 8310:

At only 3.9 ounces, this is the lightest BlackBerry. It measures 4.21 inches, 2.36 inches, 0.61 inches (LWH)
For ease in texting it has a fully QWERTY keyboard. I find that texting is very easy on this.
Internal GPS receiver with support for TeleNav software. Acts as a navigation system.
An AT&T exclusive push-to-talk (PTT) walkie talkie-style communication
2.0 megapixel camera with flash and 5x digital zoom.
Bluetooth wireless connectivity with stereo headset support
1100 mAh rechargeable battery provided me with a theoretical 240 minutes of talk time, 408 hours of standby time
It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.

When you buy the phone, you also get the usual box full of goodies: a battery, charger, handsfree headset and USB Cable. Just as well, it wouldn't be much use without these things, but the hands-free headset is a nice addition nonetheless.

I find the BlackBerry Curve to be very ergonomic in my hands. It feels comfortable, even though it is larger than the previous phone I owned.

I opted for the red BlackBerry Curve, but it also comes in titanium. I like the shade of red that they've chosen too: not harsh or cheap looking, it's more of a cranberry tone. Deep and rich looking. Makes me feel hip and sophisticated!

On the negative side -- and maybe this is just because this is my first BlackBerry, and I have to play with it for a while -- I do find it tricky to sometimes operate the menus. The trackball seems too sensitive and moves over the icons too freely.

From the boy that grew up with a rotary dial phone, to a phone that I can now watch Depeche Mode on, if I so choose, I would say I am more than impressed with the BlackBerry Curve 8310 and glad to enter the 21st century!

Bernie Tague is an award winning screenwriter, who was born in Scotland. He moved to the states when he was a wee lad of two. He now lives and works in Southfield, Mi. The next movie capital of America.

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Categorized: iPhone and Cell Phone Help (Article 8449, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: blackberry curve, blackberry pearl
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Reader Comments To Date: 36

Richard said, on August 17, 2008 5:19 PM:

I have owned a BB Curve 8310 since Feb. 2008. It is a fantastic smartphone. The more you use it the more you will appreciate how much it does, which is truly incredible given its small size.

Try some of the Google apps like sync your calendar you will be impressed.

Thuy said, on September 4, 2008 10:39 AM:

Hi Dave,

I just purchased a Blackberry Curve 8310 Red. I downloaded AIM via the Oz program. I can log in, and send IM's, but I haven't been able to receive IM's. I know the recipient of my IM's have received my IM, but I haven't been able to receive their replies. Help please.

Bear Dare said, on October 1, 2008 3:37 PM:

i have a blackberry pearl 8110 and i cant figure out how to get a flash player on my phone, i feel like ive tried everything from my mobile internet to my pc looking at 100s of websites, can you help me

Katie said, on October 5, 2008 12:04 AM:

Thanks Dave. I've been looking everywhere on the internet for realadvice on this phone. I also love the color. I have a motorola rv3 its red too. Anyway, I'm always texting friends and family with my current phone its a pain. I'm sold on getting the B.B curve 8310!

julie said, on January 5, 2009 5:13 PM:

HI DAVE , I HAVE A QUESTION AND I HOPE U ARE ABLE TO ANSWER IT FOR ME , I AM LOOKING TO BE UPGRADING MY RAZR V3 AND WANT TO BUY THE BB 8310 RED , BUT IVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NO VIDEO ON PHONE IS THAT TRUE ? IS THERE AN APPLICATION U CAN DOWNLOAD ON THE PHONE TO GET THE VIDEO CAMERA ON PHONE ? THE REASON WHY I AM ASKING IS I ALSO LIKE THE BLACKBERRY BOLD BUT THE PRICE IS KINDA PRICEY , MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT TILL PRICE GOES DOWN, BUT THE BOLD DOES HAVE THE WI FI AND VIDEO, PLSSSSSSSSSSSS HELP THANK U

George said, on February 7, 2009 1:47 PM:

hello julie>
the bb curve 8310 can do video recording but only after you do the Operating system upgrade. the version that comes with the bb is 4.2 and the upgrade is 4.5 after you do the upgrade your bb will be able to do video record. you can do all this from the blackberry website which will then take you to you phone provider's website to get the OS upgrade from them.
hope this helps

Demetruis said, on February 16, 2009 6:30 PM:

I have a blackberry curve 8310 and it worked great til 3 days ago. My phone is shutting down when ever I talk on it or use the GPS and the only way to get it back on is to plug it back in to the charger. I can text all day and nothing happens only when I use the phone or GPS what can this be and how do I fix it?

Nela said, on February 21, 2009 8:40 AM:

I love my BB curve, in red too... Just got it around 2 months ago... I can't get appart from him!

dave said, on March 17, 2009 11:25 AM:

I was looking at my pic and hit the hide and now i cant find any of my pictures.

Mitch said, on May 1, 2009 9:29 AM:

Hi Dave,

I have a Blackberry 8300 for my personal phone and a Blackberry 8350i for business. I messed up and plugged my 8300 into my business laptop that I normally plug my 8350i into. Not thinking I hit updates and started deleting and downloading software. I realized what I did and unplugged it before it was finished. Now my 8300 will not turn on. It only will flash twice quickly every about 10 seconds.

Is it toast or can I fix it?

Thanks

Alvin said, on May 21, 2009 2:33 AM:

Hello Dave,

I have an 8310 updated with the 8320 software. I cannot get the phone to come on anymore, except when I plug the charger into it, then it only stays on briefly then goes black. I switched it to the off position in the profiles section but I've done that before so I don't believe that's the problem. I have taken the battery out more than 5 times already I know, and have tried holding the power button down for a few minutes, nothing has worked. I am at wits end here, and I don't know what else to do.

laura said, on June 22, 2009 10:41 PM:

i have blakberry curve8310 phone somebody gave me on the screen it comes up error jum 102 how do i get that off and get to work for my child

anslim baisden said, on July 15, 2009 8:39 PM:

good night i have a blackberry 8310 and it fell 15 feet to the ground and now it would not power on each time i plug in the charger it just shows a battery with a slash on it what can i do

Joe said, on July 28, 2009 1:14 PM:

Hey Dave,

My Blackberry 8320 curve will not charge. I bought a new battery today and tried charging it but it stil does not charge. I've also tried 3 different types of chargers, the wall charger, car charger and USB charger hooked up to the computer. Same thing happens, It works while it is connected to a charger but once i take it off, it shuts down. Would you be able to help me resolve this issue?? Thank you.

Grace said, on August 2, 2009 6:12 PM:

Hi Dave, I have a blackberry 8310 I've had it for about a month and about 2 weeks ago my camera phone doesn't want to work. It freezes and in order for me to get out I need to remove the battery. I'm not sure what happened. How can I fix it? Is there a way to restore it? Thanks.

dray said, on August 5, 2009 2:47 PM:

My picture messages cant be viewed on friends blackberry although he can view his own pics taken by him. What am I doing wrong? I sent the picture messages via multimedia and they are still not received on his Blackberry.

Dray

Mac said, on August 6, 2009 3:33 PM:

I have had my Blackberry for over two years now my Blackberry 8310 keeps shutting down after appro. three hours. I have the latest software installed on the phone. How do I correct the problem?

*Kandiss* said, on August 22, 2009 10:59 AM:

hi dave,
ive had my blackberry for about 5 months now and i didnt get my software with it so i cant take pics off or put music on can u tell me where i can get a free software download so i can?
please and thank u!!!
XoXoKandissXoXo

larry said, on September 23, 2009 11:36 AM:

Hello dave,
My blackberry 8310 curve has a popping sound when i send and receicved calls. i here the person calling but their voice is shopping and not able to hear what they say. whats the problem?

Fred said, on October 5, 2009 7:59 AM:

Hi Dave,
My blackberry 8310 will not come on. I have tried a battery that I knew was good but it still would not come on. Also, when I plug the charger into it, the indicator light comes on for about 3 seconds then goes back off. Is there anything I can do?

Samantha said, on January 21, 2010 12:25 PM:

Hi Dave,

I have a blackberry 8310. In the last week, my phone calls are very fuzzy and sometimes it shuts my blackberry right off. The only way I am able to start it up again, is to pull the battery for a reset. I do notice that when my phone buzzes during calls, that it drains my battery rapidly. A couple of minutes can drain my fully charged battery down to a quarter charge remaining. I also noticed that if I plug my phone in when it starts to buzz, the buzzing stops. I contacted my service provider who told me to update my software as they thought it was a software issue. When doing that didn't resolve the problem, they told me my SIM card must be expiring and that I should go into one of their stores and buy a new SIM card. My only concern is that I don't understand how the SIM card can be the issue if the buzzing stops when my blackbery's plugged in. The other concern is that I pay my service provider a lot of money each month for their services and they're telling me now, when their quality of service is poor, that I should pay to solve the problem! Pls help. Is the SIM card the problem... is it the battery... or is it another problem with my blackberry?

Jay said, on January 22, 2010 5:43 PM:

Hey Dave,
I have a AT&T BB 8310 and I can't use the camera/video on it or download apps on it. It was a friend of mine and he used it at his work but now no more. Is there any way in finding out what is wrong with it?
Jay

rob said, on January 27, 2010 6:16 PM:

hey i like this web site but i need help understanding my blackberry storm 2 i cant figuare out wifi so if i could get your help that would be great

Amanda said, on January 29, 2010 5:34 PM:

Hi Dave,

I have a red bb curve 8310. But it wont charge. I bought it a new battery and two diff. chargers and still nothing. I also have another bb curve 8310 which charges so i chatge the battery on that one, take it out and use it on the phone that wont charge. Do you know how i can fix my phone to get it to charging again?
thanks

Ghost said, on February 11, 2010 2:32 PM:

Wuz up Dave, i just got a black berry pearl 8110. its a nice phone but my problem with it is, it keeps shutting off whenever i talk on the phone for about a minute. It sometimes last longer then shuts off. Any solutions?

bethy said, on March 4, 2010 5:30 AM:

I'm thinking of buying a blackberry storm2 but will i have to change providers. I have been told that i have to sign to the blackberry service data . do you know if this is right or if i can use the 2g that my provider already allows

Georgia said, on March 19, 2010 6:17 PM:

please help me, i have a bb 8310 and when i put my sim in it, it says it has signal and looks fine, but i caant make or recieve a call and i cant send or rexieve texts...

i've tried unlocking it and thats not the issue because it accepts my sim..

the mobile network is on

data services is on

network is disabled (in sim card<advanced options<options)

please help!

i only want to make calls and texts and recieve them!!!

ive tried for so long!!!!
.

PAULA said, on May 16, 2010 8:18 AM:

MY BOYFRIEND JUST GAVE ME HIS BLACKBERRY CURVE 8350i CAUSE HE DIDNT LIKE IT. BEFORE HE GAVE IT TO ME HE DID A MASTER RESET ON THE PHONE. WHEN I PUT MY SIM CARD IN THE PHONE THE SMS AND MMS ICON WAS GONE. I TRIED TO GOOGLE EVERYTHING I COULD TO RESTORE THEM BUT NO LUCK. FINALLY WE GOT THE SMS ICON BACK BUT I CAN SEND TEXT MESSAGES THROUGH SMS BUT I CANT RECV THEM AND I STILL CANT FIRGURE OUT HOW TO RESTORE MMS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME... THANKS..

sideste said, on June 30, 2010 10:31 AM:

my blackberry curve 8530 wont play videos or music. what is the problem

Robert Kraft said, on July 21, 2010 6:08 AM:

How do I turn MMS on my Blackberry Curve 8350i?

Jose said, on August 31, 2010 9:48 AM:

Hi Dave,

I have a bb cuve 8310 and my problem is that sometimes when i call, i dont hear anything and peoplen cant hear me as well, and i want to know what is a little cable that goes by the memory card slot that my little sister was taking out the memory and unplugged the little cable i dont know if that has anything to do with the calls problem.

Al. said, on October 1, 2010 2:07 PM:

DAVE!
I need you help! My blackberry 8310 will not come on at all! When I plug the charger into it, the indicator light comes on for about 3 seconds then goes back off. Am I screwed?

Dave Taylor said, on October 3, 2010 7:27 AM:

I'm not sure that "screwed" is the right word, Al, but, uhm, I would take it in to your cellular carrier and ask them for advice. It certainly doesn't sound too healthy... :-(

Kathleen heinonen said, on October 21, 2010 5:20 PM:

How do I pute memery onto another memerystick
Can I do that from my blackberry cerve phone

Emma said, on May 31, 2011 3:49 AM:

hi dave,
i own a blackberry 8310.
i do not have a service provider browser on my blackberry. i want to ask how can i download softwares and applications via my pc. pls i need basic and details instructions as to what i should do. i would be very much grateful, thanks.

Sandeep said, on November 8, 2011 1:37 AM:

Hi Dave

I am sandeep from mumbai India, I got BB8320 curve from company with basic & vodhafone 299 email plan.
But I not able to surf internet on same do u have any Idea or settings for same.

Also I want to use head phone set on same cell phone but i didnt get ring tone on head set while i am driving.

Can help me in this matter.

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Review: BlackBerry Curve 8310

Reader Comments To Date: 36

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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