BlackBerry Curve 3G Vs. BlackBerry Peal

When it comes to affordable, entry-level BlackBerry phones, the Curve 3G and Pearl 3G stand above the competition. The Curve 3G is the new update to the popular Curve 8500 series phones, while the Peal 3G is an upgrade from the previous Pearl. Read below for the pros and cons of each phone to help you decide which one is best for you.

Pros of the BlackBerry Curve 3G

Keyboard- One thing that is great about the Curve 3G is the keyboard. During my testing phase, I found the keys were easy and quick to type on. Although they are harder plastic and spaced differently than the higher end Bold model, they are still very easy to use. However, the hard plastic is tougher to press than the softer keys on the higher end models.

Design- The Curve 3G, like many other BlackBerry models, have curbside appeal. Everyone knows the basic design of a BlackBerry and most like it. The Curve has dedicated media keys located on the top of the phone. These are great for changing songs, locking the phone and changing the volume without having to access the menu. The buttons, located on the top of the phone, are great because they are easy to change when the phone is in your pocket.

Usability- As a Bold owner, I was expected a dumbed down version for the Curve. Although I partly right, the Curve is just as easy to use and has most of the bells and whistles, less the better camera and memory. The Curve has the same layout at other QWERTY keyboard BlackBerry's and is very easy to use.

Cons of the BlackBerry Curve 3G

Camera-The only thing we were less than impressed with was the 2MP camera. The camera is outdated for a newly released smartphone. However, the picture quality was not terrible, but could be improved.

Pros of the BlackBerry Peal 3G

Design- With smartphone becoming slimmer and more advanced, I was impressed by how much was packed into this small phone. The Peal has a compressed keyboard, meaning it lacks a full QWERTY keyboard. However, the SureType technology, which helps picks words based on letters used is effective. This phone is not amazing for texting, but for casual users it will suffice.

BlackBerry Functionality- Of course all BlackBerry smartphone phones feature the BlackBerry OS. However, the Peal is a great small phone that packs all the functionality of a BlackBerry into the phones tiny frame. If you are looking for a cell phone primary for phone calls, but with options for internet surfing, email, organizer and texting, the Peal delivers.

Camera- The Peal features the 3.2MP camera used in the Bold 9700. The 3.2MP camera takes decent pictures with better clarity than the Curve 3G. Although the camera is not amazing in comparison to higher end smartphones, it is more than adequate for quick photos.

Size- The Peal has a depth of about .5 inches and weighs about 3 ounces. The phone is small and fits easily into your pocket without much of a bulge.

Cons of the BlackBerry Peal 3G

Keyboard- When you are comparing the Curve 3G to the Peal, the main differences are the keyboard and size of the phone. Although the keyboard on the Peal is good for casual texters, it is awful for heavy texters. Be sure to know your texting level before deciding on one of these phones.

Screen Size- The smaller footprint of the phone means a smaller screen size. Yet again, the screen is fine for basic tasks, but if internet surfing or watching videos is what you want on your phone; the Peal is not for you.

Sources:
http://us.blackberry.com/smartphones/blackberrycurve3G/
http://us.blackberry.com/smartphones/blackberrypearl3G/