The Verizon BlackBerry Curve 8530 stacks up well against its GSM brother the Curve 8520, and in fact out does it with the inclusion of a GPS radio and 3G. It is certainly a worthwhile step up from the older Verizon Curve 8330. Here are the specifications compared with the older 8300 Curve models, the Curve 8900, and the Curve 8520.
If you have listened to the CrackBerry podcast you know that we are always wondering why Verizon BlackBerrys have no Wi-Fi. After all, GSM BlackBerry Smartphones have had Wi-Fi since 2007. Was it truly a technical limitation on RIM's part? Or more like a Verizon dictation to RIM to not include it? Well now finally, with no reasons given as to why it has taken almost 3 years, it seems Verizon and RIM together are on the CDMA bandwagon and like the BlackBerry Storm2, the Verizon BlackBerry Curve 8530 has Wi-Fi!
The Verizon BlackBerry Curve 8530 felt solid in my hands. No issues with build quality here. It is identical to the Curve 8520 with the exception of the back cover, which, is covered in a checkered pattern that feels silky to the touch. It adds that little something extra compared to the Curve 8520.
Compared to its brother the Curve 8520, it has built-in GPS and 3G, although it doesn't have the free calling over Wi-Fi (UMA) that T-Mobile's BlackBerry Curve 8520 offers. If you were shopping for an entry-level smartphone, you have good reason to choose the Curve 8530 over the Curve 8520 if you didn't care about the free calling over Wi-Fi or you were only going to use it in the US.
