Best friends, mortal enemies: the BlackBerry Curve from Verizon and Sprint

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 2nd 2008 at 12:15PM

Taking the carrier out of the equation for just a moment, let's get to the hard-hitting question about the two flavors of the 8330: which color combo do you prefer?

Filed under: Handsets, RIM, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA

Tags: 8330, blackberry, ctia, curve, rim

Subscribe to these comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

JackTheRipperbp @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:24PM

Why do you even have to ask Engadget??? Lol. Its a no brainer, the Sprint version kicks major a$$. Were getting them in two weeks at my Radioshack. Cant wait to play with it!

Highly Ranked

Riley Freeman @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:25PM

sprint. the black or dark grey watever u wanna call it is wayyyyyyy betyter. i hate bbs but too bad telus is going verizon silver

Low Ranked

Loony2nz @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:27PM

Sprint's 8330...darker color is sexier...not to mention...WIFI!!!!

Highest Ranked

Derek @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:31PM

And not to mention... YOU'RE WRONG!!!

No WiFi.

Neutral

Denzil Khine @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:11AM

I don't think Sprint has WIFI either.

Neutral

Loony2nz @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:09PM

@ Derek:

Yeah..that's what I meant..NO WIFI. My bad

Highly Ranked

Stephen @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:59PM

Black all the way. Can't wait till we get them at our Sprint.

Highly Ranked

Kerry Saylor @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:47PM

Verizon is always F**king with their phones in ways that seems to make them fuglier each time I see 'em! This is another perfect example! The silver phone is akin to the beige computer - outdated!! Get with the program, Dr. V. Bring on some class, some style!

Unfortunately, I STILL can't find a black QWERTY keypad for my V 8830! So, I'm stuck with silver!

Neutral

Ethan @ Apr 7th 2008 5:22PM

Try http://cnn.cn/shop/blackberry-88008830-black-keyboard-p-1826.html

No experience with the site, I just know they sell a ton of BB parts. I may just be getting a Sprint kit for my T-Mo Curve... YUM.

Neutral

Mills @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:48PM

sprint takes the cake. but neither of these has anything on the green q

Neutral

Brandon P. @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:53PM

Color??? Ill stick with my fav service provider: VZW.

Besides, you'll probably be able to get it colorized or whatever soon anyway haha.

Low Ranked

Keith @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:02PM

I have VZW and they suck! I don't use a blackberry but as usual the verizon version of a cellphoone is always crippled, both in style and power. Besides, neither has wifi, also CDMA is a dying breed. My 2 cents.

Neutral

oakie @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:05PM

er, wat?

everyone is going with W-CDMA for 3g and is the foundation for LTE. GSM is going CDMA... or did you not get the memo?

Neutral

fyreblazer @ Apr 2nd 2008 3:37PM

@oakie

Err, what? WCDMA and CDMA have NOTHING to do with each other, just the initials are similar. WCDMA is UTMS (read GSM) tech while CDMA is the next step for 1xRTT. CDMA is a dying breed with VZW going LTE (read GSM) and Sprint looking at WiMAX.

On topic, the darker gray BB is much nicer than the plain light gray one.

Neutral

Keith @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:07PM

@fyreblazer

Thank you! Could have said it better myself. Well done, sir!

Highest Ranked

Tor Slettnes @ Apr 2nd 2008 8:31PM

Technically, W-CDMA is an extension of CDMA technology (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), while GSM is a specialization/evolution of TDMA (Time Division, Multiple Access). CDMA technology (incl W-CDMA) is patented in the US by Qualcomm.

That aside, the "Standards" reality is that the GSMA (Global Systems for Mobiles Association) has adopted W-CDMA as their 3rd generation technology (3G), to carry UMTS and HSxPA signals, and also for their 4G (LTE) choice of technology. So "GSM carriers" like AT&T, T-Mobile, Rogers, Cellular One and most international carriers need new (W-CDMA) capable cell towers to be able to support 3G networks - and so do phones that want to use it. (Additional complications arise in North America, of course, due to its "non-standard" frequency bands for GSM and W-CDMA signals).

Plain old CDMA is also a 2G technology, like GSM, except that the upgrade to 3G has involved less in terms of hardware upgrades for the likes of Verizon, Sprint, Alltel, US Cellular, etc, since they have settled on a "CDMA compatible" technology called "EV-DO" (Evolution - Data Only; later Evolution, Data Optimized). As for 4G, these are going divergent paths: Since Verizon was acquired by Vodafone, a UK based "GSM carrier", they decided to settle on LTE (a W-CDMA technology), while Sprint are going with WiMax.

Neutral

B_an_angel @ Apr 10th 2008 12:10AM

the reason they put the verizon wireless ui on the phones and disable certian things is to 1. make it so you can pick up any brand of phone and it not be so fricking confusing to find every menu! because no one ever reads the dam* book that comes with the phone... 2. so that when you do call in for troubleshooting, i don't have to have every single phone make and model's menu system memorized to help you out, 3. because the built in gps with most pdas and blackberries didn't meet our security testing 4. so you won't have random a** features that only the phone manufacture knows about how to set and change and when they don't work properly you won't call verizon wireless, you'd have to call the phone manufacturer 5. to make money! because if everything were free no one would have a job. 6. remember when the motorzr first came out on everyone but verizon wireless? how they whined that verizonwireless was slow to keep up with the new phones? and then all those problems occured with the motorzr? in like 6 or 7 months after that verizon wirelesses slogan was come get a razr that actually works! haha
how do i know this? I WORK IN THE TECH SUPPORT FOR THEM!
so unless you actually work for a carrier and deal with customers calling in wanting to know why the random program (that they didn't get from verizon wireless)they downloaded on to their phone doesn't work and then they get mad at me for not knowing how to work it, don't whine about how crappy you think verizon wireless is!

Neutral

Shannon @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:43PM

Do you have any idea what your talking about?????????come on,,,get a clue..........

Neutral

Shannon @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:45PM

your prolly one of the morons i have to explain everything to like a 2 yr old when they come into my store. your the kind that needs to stay with your prepay device and quiet down about things you have no idea about...

Neutral

Cynthia @ Apr 25th 2008 7:01PM

@ B_an_angel

I read the book....

Neutral

Heffer @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:14PM

Why would anyone be on Verizon is beyond me.

They're stuck in no-man's land with its more expensive than Sprint plans and less cooler than AT&T's phone line-up.

Neutral

zargon @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:22PM

For me, it is about the service.

From having service with AT&T (rocked) to Crapular and back to re-branded Crapular under the AT&T name (work phone) and knowing people with Sprint and T-Mobile. Verizon has the best serivce and network in the Twin Cities from my experiance and other cities I have travel too.

They may be higher, but I have to stick with what works. Plus with their new open policy, I think the days of people bitching about their phones be locked down will mostly be gone.

Neutral

Heffer @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:17PM

Fair enough.

Spint's CS isn't the best, but nowadays most things I need from them is automated. And being on the Sero plan, I seem to get redirected to a higher (more competent) level of service than average joe when need be.

Highest Ranked

VaDivot @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:11PM

because I can actually get cell phone service. Sprint's service (at least in Norther Virginia) is horrible. While other people are looking at their nice sleek sexy phones wondering why they dont work, I'm actually making a phone call!!!!

Highly Ranked

David @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:16AM

Weird, Sprint and verizon roam of each other. If you are not getting signal with sprint in your area call customer service and have an OTA PRL update.

Neutral

Duscrom @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:36PM

I'm gonna say the black as well, or darker grey. That silver is just to light for me.

Neutral

ace1204 @ Apr 2nd 2008 9:50PM

Umm last time i checked verizon has the best coverage in the u.s. and better customer service with most, not to mention in house techs at all store-huge convience over ATT. Its just like a fine steak, your gonna pay a little more to get a nicer quality. Ill pay the extra amt for the peace of mind i receive

Neutral

dannybebad @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:50PM

When you actually get a decent photo that shows the phones in a good light I'll let you know.

Neutral

Sean M. @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:53PM

I'm a VZW customer, but that sprint phone is a much nice look.

Neutral

alan @ Apr 2nd 2008 2:19PM

The darker one (from Sprint) looks better to me.

Still, I would prefer a phone with Wi-Fi and a touchscreen, as well as all the features these offer. I'm a Sprint subscriber - will that version support EV-DO Rev A? Do they have 3.5mm stereo earphone jacks? thanks.

Neutral

-fish @ Apr 2nd 2008 2:41PM

Nice job Sprint!! Looks like I'll be keeping them alot longer than I thought I would. There new plans kick major butt and the phone lineup is catching up with the other carriers. I might be getting an upgrade to this thing soon with the unlimited plan but no WIFI still sucks =\ oh well EVDO in LA is pretty good.

Neutral

jainley @ Apr 2nd 2008 3:30PM

No contest. The sprint version is infinitely better looking. Way to go verizon..... Make us wait for a year and then release a lame looking color....

Neutral

Steven @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:04PM

When I first saw the leaked pictures, I thought the Sprint version looked MUCH better. But now that I've seen some real-life pics I must admit the Verizon one is growing on me. I kinda like the silver body with black outlines and keys, its dare I say.. sexy even?

Neutral

ahow628 @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:04PM

Black is the way to go. Silver? Barf...

Neutral

DTL @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:38PM

Whats the release date on the Verizon phone?

Neutral

Jason13L @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:00PM

I, for once, think I am going to go with the silver look. The one thing that jumped out at me was that I was able to see they keys better on a lighter background. I know that these will be back-lit, but dark on dark does not help quickly finding the button when the backlight turns off after a second.

Neutral

AwlAmericanDawg @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:58PM

I like the silver Verizon one, it looks nice and i'm on verizon so, I might look onto this one.

The black one is nice too but I like silver

Neutral

Judson @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:49PM

definately the Sprint version! I know I'll be getting one! replacing my pearl!

Neutral

Michael @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:40AM

The black/dark gray Sprint version is much better looking.

Slightly off topic, but Sprint also has the Red/Black/Pink choices for their Palm Centro while AT&T has that FUGLY white Centro with the odd green number keys.

While Sprint may sometimes be late to the game with the "new" phones ( I think they got a RAZR about a year after everyone else did...not a big loss there haha), they sometimes surprise us gadget geeks with some cool offerings.

This sleek BB 8800 is going to be a hit with corporate customers as well as individuals.

Neutral

James @ Apr 7th 2008 4:12AM

Being a professional user currently using BlackBerry Curve 8300 and more then happy to have it.

Neutral

kyle at the Vz Dub Club @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:23PM

just one phrase...

Silver and black attack --

boom.

Neutral

icarus @ Apr 4th 2008 10:21PM

i love the wi-fi bitching.. has everyone forgotten that you can't activate a blackberry phone without a BB data plan?

Neutral

Chris @ Apr 5th 2008 3:10AM

I like the silver one. They both look pretty solid, but I like the color contrast in the silver. I think the silver will look better in person when you actually see it in person.

Neutral

Stayflyer @ Apr 30th 2008 8:28PM

Everybody on here complaining about the color of a phone like girls if you want your phone to be a different color go to colorwarepc.com and change it. The difference between vzw, att, and sprint ( i won't mention t-mobile they really suck!)Vzw is a Mercedes, att is a toyota and sprints a mazda. Basically you pay for what you get, vzw has the best service they may be slow on phones but its the best while att and sprint service sucks and make up for it buy selling sorry gimmickry phone.