About to buy my first Blackberry - help please!

donnaessex

Hi experts.

I'm looking to buy a Blackberry as my old contract is up with T-Mobile. Just starting to look into the models available for a low user like me (need probably maximum 100 minutes and 250 texts per month) - I do use the internet quite a bit though.

Two phones coming up on low price plans are the Curve 8520 and the Bold 9700. Can anyone tell me in laymans terms what differences I'd find between these two models please? I understand the Curve has 2G internet and the Bold has 3G - what does that mean?

Would you have any recommendations for me between the two? Virgin are offering 50 minutes, 250 texts and unlimited web for £12 per month on the Curve - would there be any additional costs on this package?

Thanks in advance.

chuckley

3G is fast, 2G, not so much... but the 'speed' depends on what ur using it for. 2G is fine for most things, like social networking, except streaming, like youtube, or google maps/bing e.t.c. plus the curve doesn't support flash.

the virgin offer wouldnt have any additional costs, as ur data is unlimited (1GB a month). for that amount for the curve id look around for more minutes on the same price/£15 but other networks have an unlimited caps of 200-500mb so check this before u buy. but virgin is defo 1GB.

deano23285

i'm expecting my 9700 today so i'm in the same boat, gonna be a long day getting to grips with it

nikzGfx

You'll love it! Happy 9700 user here it's a great bit of kit which will be even better when OS6 gets released for it!

OP you will need Blackberry Internet Services (BIS) to make use of most internet connections including your emails, BBM, MSN etc so MAKE SURE virgin add this may be an additional cost.

Otherwise go for SIM Only route maybe £15 from o2 includes 300mins, BIS, unlimited sms/wifi, and 500MB data (more than enough for a BB), and maybe consider the £200 Curve 3G they have if you can afford the initial layout for the phone.

Otherwise if you stick with Virgin ensure they offer BIS as without it a BB is kinda useless!

Oh and the 9700 is a much better phone than the 8520, better build, better camera, has 3G as you mentioned, and is the top line phone from Rim.

donnaessex

Thanks everyone! I range T-mobile last night and they have given me the Blackberry Pearl which is the new phone from BB with a normal keypad (not QWERTY) which I like - dont think I'd ever get used to a QWERTY on a phone! It has a 3.2 camera and is the 3G version so all in all I'm very happy with it.

They have given me 100 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited data, BB services and the phone for free - £12.50 a month! Its due in to me before 1pm so I'm waiting with baited breath!!!

deano23285

good deal you got there

donnaessex

deano23285 wrote: »

good deal you got there

Thanks I thought so too! :T