Hardware
Construction
The original BlackBerry Curve wasn’t built incredibly well – dust would often work its way under the screen, and the sacrifices made to keep it lightweight often made it susceptible to impact damage. Luckily, the new 8520 is constructed so that there are no longer separate parts for the siding, which is now included in the single, solid back plate. Combined with the better-sealed screen, dust looks like it will no longer be a problem. The rubberized siding feels like it could take a punch better than the old 8300 series, as could the battery door, being a single slate.
The keyboard is about the same as the BlackBerry 8900; if anything, it’s a bit clickier and fits more loosely in the housing. The soft keys are now all built into the front screen, again emphasizing 8520’s one-piece solidity. Overall, the new Curve does feel a little plastic, but no moreso than other BlackBerrys on the market.
Aesthetics
The BlackBerry 8520 has made some pretty radical design changes, many that we’ll be seeing in future devices. Rubberized buttons are a logical extension of the new siding that started appearing since the Storm. The added grip is fantastic, and draping it over the side volume and convenience keys further helps the Curve’s smooth, seamless image.The battery door’s slick texture is noticeable, but turning into a common theme after the BlackBerry Tour’s similar style. I do worry that in time the sheen will wear out with scratches that would otherwise go unnoticed on a matte finish. The backlight is a touch weak, but very well may save battery life by staying low.
The key layout has changed a bit since the 8900 Curve and 9630 Tour. Both were very busy on the right side of the device, which hosted the volume rocker, convenience key, headphone jack, and microUSB slot. I’m glad to see they evened things out a bit and brought the headphone jack and microUSB slot back to the left, since it felt lop-sided otherwise.
The trackpad, of course, is the biggest deal of this smartphone, and merits a section of its own.