BlackBerry 8530 Prepaid Phone (MetroPCS)

BlackBerry 8530 Prepaid Phone (MetroPCS) Review

Buy From Amazon.com

BlackBerry 8530 Prepaid Phone (MetroPCS) Feature

3G-enabled BlackBerry smartphone with full QWERTY keyboard and touch-sensitive optical trackpad
Enjoy talk-all-you-want service with no annual contracts via affordable, flexible MetroPCS rate plans
2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; microSD memory expansion; digital audio player
Up to 4.5 hours of talk time, up to 252 hours (10.5 days) of standby time; released in November, 2009
What's in the Box: handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, BlackBerry software CD, quick start guide

The slim, affordable, 3G-enabled BlackBerry Curve 8530 is perfect for those who need to be connected to work, friends and family while on the go. It provides easy mobile access to e-mail, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and popular social networking sites (including Facebook and MySpace), as well as features a highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for comfortable, accurate typing. You'll also enjoy affordable, flexible unlimited wireless service with no annual contract and national service from MetroPCS.

All the tools you need to stay on top of your messaging (view larger).

Full QWERTY keyboard (view larger).

MetroPC offers a BlackBerry rate plan that includes unlimited local and nationwide long distance calling, as well extras ranging from international text messaging to visual voice mail. Learn more about MetroPCS rate plans and features below.

Access BlackBerry App World to download applications from a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones, including games, entertainment, social networking and sharing, news and weather, productivity and more.

Other features include a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, microSD memory expansion (up to 32 GB), 256 MB of onboard storage, music player with dedicated keys, and up to 4.5 hours of talk time.

Key Features and Specs

2-megapixel camera/camcorder.

Brightly colorful 2.6-inch LCD screen with 320 x 240-pixel resolution and 65K color depth
35-key backlit full QWERTY keyboard
Innovative touch-sensitive optical trackpad
GPS navigation capabilities with access to MetroNavigator for real-time audible turn-by-turn GPS navigation with 3D route maps, and traffic incident and congestion notification.
Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes communication headset, hands-free car kits, and A2DP audio streaming Bluetooth profiles.
Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB.
256 MB internal memory
2-megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror and full screen viewfinder
Video capture capabilities in two resolutions (320 x 240 pixels for saving; 176 x 144 pixels for sending via messaging).
Multimedia player compatible with MP3 and AAC music formats, and MPEG4 and H.263 video formats.
Unlimited text and picture messaging plus unlimited instant messaging.
E-mail access (compatible with Microsoft Exchange corporate e-mail)
BlackBerry Browser with faster JavaScript and CSS processing as well as support for Gears and BlackBerry Widgets.
Organizer tools including calendar, alarm clock, memo, calculator, and stopwatch.
3.5mm headphone jack
Micro USB connector for PC transfer and charging.
Speakerphone for hands-free communication.
Hearing aid compatibility = M4/T4.

Vital Statistics

The BlackBerry Curve 8530 weighs 3.9 ounces and measures 4.3 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.5 hours of talk time and 252 hours of standby time (10.5 days). It runs on MetroPCS 800/1900 CDMA/EV-DO 3G frequencies.

What's in the Box

BlackBerry Curve 8530 handset, rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, BlackBerry software CD, quick start guide

Warranty

1-year limited warranty

MetroPCS Plans

MetroPCS rate plans offer talk-all-you-want service, include taxes and regulatory fees, and have no annual contract. Also, it's very easy to change plans at any time. And you'll get coverage that spans the United States (see this MetroPCS coverage map)

MetroPCS offers seven rate plans with features that vary based on the level of service. Compare the available MetroPCS cell phone plans, and choose the one that's right for you.

MetroPCS Features		Cell Phone Plans		4G LTE Plans
MetroPCS Features
Unlimited Local	Make all the local calls you want, any time of day or night.
Unlimited Nationwide Long Distance	Call as much as you like to any of the 48 contiguous states and Puerto Rico.
Nationwide Coverage	Extended home coverage with unlimited voice and text in more than 11,000 major cities and towns.
Voice Mail Package	Combines voice mail with caller ID, call waiting and 3-way calling.
Visual Voice Mail	Lists your messages so you can listen to them in the order you want.		^*
Visual Voice Mail Plus	Lists your messages PLUS sends them via text so you can read them.
Unlimited Text & Picture Messaging	Mobile-to-mobile text messages plus send and receive digital photos.
Unlimited MetroWEB	Surf the Web in your hand using MetroWEB.
Unlimited Short Codes & Alerts	Stay connected to your social communities and receive informational alerts.
Unlimited International Text Messaging	Send text messages across the globe.
Unlimited Screen-It	See a caller's name before you answer--even if not in contacts.
Unlimited Pocket Express	News, sports, weather, maps, and more without the browse-and-wait of the mobile Web.
Unlimited Premium Directory Assistance	Find people, restaurants, movies, stores, and more by voice or text search. Maps and driving directions are sent directly on your phone.
Unlimited MetroNavigator	Turn your handset into a powerful GPS navigation tool with audible turn-by-turn driving directions.
Unlimited Instant Messaging	Compatible with AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger.
Unlimited Loopt GPS Friend Finder	Find your friends (using real-time maps) and share what's up on the go.
Unlimited E-mail Access	E-mail on your phone with mail@metro for use with home or business email accounts.
4G Web	You have the freedom to surf the Web in your hand using the 4G Network.
4G Video On Demand	Get instant access to TV shows, news, sports and entertainment to match your on-the-go lifestyle with Video On Demand from MetroSTUDIO.
Included Multimedia Streaming Access	Enjoy additional streaming on your MetroPCS phone.			100 MB	1 GB	Unlimited
Rhapsody Unlimited Music^*	Enjoy unlimited access to 12 million songs.