BlackBerry Curve 8320 Review: Hybrid Smartphone of 2007

BlackBerry Curve 8320 (2007)

The BlackBerry Curve 8320 is a mid-range enterprise and consumer-focused smartphone released by Research In Motion (RIM, now BlackBerry Limited) in Q3 2007. As a member of the iconic Curve lineup, it bridges the gap between RIM’s strictly business-oriented devices (e.g., BlackBerry 7290) and consumer-friendly models, combining enterprise-grade push email and productivity tools with consumer-centric features like Wi-Fi connectivity and a 2MP camera. Positioned for mobile professionals, students, and casual users, the 8320 was a commercial success, leveraging BlackBerry’s productivity reputation while adding multimedia and connectivity upgrades to compete in the pre-iPhone smartphone market.

Core Overview & Positioning

Attribute	Details
Launch Date	Q3 2007 (Global release; carrier-exclusive variants for T-Mobile, AT&T)
Market Position	Mid-range hybrid enterprise-consumer smartphone
Target Audience	Mobile professionals, students, casual users, enterprise teams seeking Wi-Fi support
Key Selling Points	Full QWERTY keyboard, push email, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, 2MP camera, BlackBerry OS 4.2, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD expansion
Launch Price (US)	~$199.99 (with 2-year carrier contract; $399.99 unlocked)
Color Options	Titanium Silver, Red, Black

Full Technical Specifications

Display

Type: 2.5-inch transflective TFT LCD (optimized for indoor/outdoor visibility)
Resolution: 320×240 pixels (4:3 aspect ratio, ~160 ppi)
Color Depth: 65,536 colors
Features: Backlit display, customizable home screen icons, supports email previews, document viewing, and basic web graphics
Protection: Plastic screen cover (no scratch-resistant glass—standard for 2007 devices)

Performance & Software

Processor: Intel XScale PXA270 (312 MHz)
Memory: 64MB flash memory (OS + app storage) + expandable via microSD card (up to 4GB, later upgraded to 8GB via software update)
Operating System: BlackBerry OS 4.2.2 (upgradeable to OS 4.5)
Software Features:
- Push email (support for Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, GroupWise, and personal accounts like Gmail/Yahoo! Mail)
- BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) 4.0 (enhanced with status updates and group chats)
- Core productivity suite: Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Memo Pad, Calculator, Clock
- BlackBerry Browser (supports HTML, WAP, and JavaScript for improved web browsing)
- Document viewer (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
- Enterprise security: AES encryption, remote device wipe, password protection
- Java ME app support (third-party apps: social media, weather, games)

Keyboard & Input

Full QWERTY Keyboard: Compact, spaced tactile keys with a curved layout (the “Curve” namesake) for comfortable one-handed/two-handed typing—ideal for long emails and messaging.
Navigation: Optical trackball (a major upgrade over the trackwheel of older BlackBerry models) for precise scrolling, selection, and text editing; dedicated call/end keys, a convenience key (customizable), and a back key.

Camera & Multimedia

Rear Camera: 2MP fixed-focus sensor with LED flash
- Photo resolution: Up to 1600×1200 pixels
- Video recording: 176×144 pixels (QCIF) at 15fps (basic, for short clips only)
- Features: Digital zoom, white balance presets, self-timer
Multimedia:
- MP3/AAC/WMA audio playback (via media player app)
- Polyphonic/MP3 ringtones
- No video playback support (limited to recorded clips only)
- 3.5mm headphone jack (requires an adapter; uses 2.5mm port natively)

Battery & Charging

Capacity: 1150 mAh removable Li-Ion battery
Charging: Proprietary BlackBerry charging port + USB 2.0 (supports charging and data sync)
Battery Life: Up to 4.5 hours talk time, up to 16 days standby (Wi-Fi off); up to 3 hours talk time, up to 10 days standby (Wi-Fi on)

Build & Design

Dimensions: 107×60×15.5 mm (4.2×2.4×0.6 in)
Weight: 111 g (3.9 oz) – lightweight and pocket-friendly
Build Material: Durable matte plastic body with a rubberized back panel for grip; curved edges for comfortable handling
Form Factor: Candybar (non-slider, non-flip) with integrated keyboard and trackball

Connectivity

Feature	Specifications
Cellular	Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz + GPRS/EDGE (2.5G) – no 3G support
Wi-Fi	802.11b/g (a key differentiator; supports home/office networks and public hotspots for web browsing/email without cellular data)
Bluetooth	2.0 + EDR (supports headsets, hands-free kits, file transfers, and wireless sync with desktop)
Wired	USB 2.0 (data sync + charging)
Other	GPS (via assisted GPS (A-GPS) on carrier variants like T-Mobile 8320)

Core Features & User Experience Highlights

1. Hybrid Enterprise-Consumer Focus

The Curve 8320 was one of RIM’s first devices to cater to both business and personal users. It retained BlackBerry’s flagship push email and enterprise security features (critical for corporate IT teams) while adding Wi-Fi and a camera—features that were omitted from earlier business-focused models to comply with workplace policies. This hybrid approach made it popular with professionals who wanted a single device for work and play.

2. Optical Trackball Navigation

Replacing the trackwheel of older BlackBerrys, the optical trackball was a game-changer for navigation. It enabled precise scrolling through long emails, web pages, and contact lists, and supported click-to-select functionality for faster input—an upgrade that significantly improved the user experience.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity (A Key 2007 Upgrade)

Wi-Fi 802.11b/g was the Curve 8320’s standout consumer feature. It allowed users to connect to home/office networks or public hotspots for free web browsing and email, bypassing expensive cellular data plans—a major advantage for casual users and students in 2007.

4. Compact QWERTY Keyboard for Productivity

The curved QWERTY keyboard balanced compactness and typing comfort. Its spaced keys reduced typing errors, making it ideal for BBM, email, and SMS—core use cases for BlackBerry users at the time. The keyboard’s design became a signature of the Curve lineup and was widely praised for its usability.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages	Limitations
Hybrid enterprise-consumer feature set (push email + Wi-Fi + camera)	No 3G support—slow EDGE data speeds for cellular web browsing
Optical trackball for precise navigation (upgrade over trackwheel)	Basic 2MP camera with low-resolution video recording (176×144p)
Wi-Fi connectivity to bypass cellular data plans	No native 3.5mm headphone jack (requires an adapter)
Compact, lightweight design with comfortable curved keyboard	Limited multimedia support (no video playback of downloaded files)
Enterprise security (remote wipe, AES encryption) for business users	MicroSD storage limited to 4GB (upgradable to 8GB via software)

Target Markets & Use Cases

Mobile Professionals: Users who needed push email and enterprise security for work, but also wanted Wi-Fi and a camera for personal use (e.g., capturing receipts, casual photos).
Students: Budget-friendly price point, Wi-Fi support for campus networks, and QWERTY keyboard for note-taking and messaging made it a popular choice.
Casual Users: Early smartphone adopters who valued BlackBerry’s messaging capabilities over the multimedia focus of competitors like the Palm Treo.
Enterprise Teams: IT departments that allowed camera phones in the workplace, leveraging the 8320’s security features for secure communication.

Legacy & Market Impact

The BlackBerry Curve 8320 was a defining device for RIM, becoming one of the best-selling BlackBerry models of all time. It proved that BlackBerry could appeal to both enterprise and consumer audiences, expanding the brand’s market share beyond its traditional corporate base. Released just months after the first iPhone (2007), the Curve 8320 held its own by doubling down on BlackBerry’s core strengths—productivity and messaging—while adding consumer-friendly features.

The Curve lineup went on to dominate the mid-range smartphone market for years, and the 8320’s optical trackball and curved keyboard design influenced future BlackBerry models (e.g., Curve 8900, Bold 9700). While the iPhone and Android eventually displaced BlackBerry as the market leader, the Curve 8320 remains a nostalgic icon of the pre-touchscreen smartphone era.

Today, well-preserved Curve 8320 units are sought after by BlackBerry collectors, with original packaging and chargers adding significant value.