The 8700 was bigger and had a bigger QWERTY keyboard. The 8700 is STILL a good Blackberry, it just does not have all the Bells and Whistles the newer units offer. I also liked the track wheel but I know that the roller ball is the future and am getting used to it.

As far as someone making a better case, tooling costs v.s. demand would prohibit! I suggest you simply use your device and when it starts to show some wear, slip into a new one. I show reasonable care with my Blackberry but it is a phone and is a tool I need to run my company. I say use it with care but also enjoy!

This is really a "to each his own" subject. I spent some time playing with the 8800 before going with the 8300. Coming from a Treo, I must say that I much preferred the 8300 form factor. It's shaped sort of like a thinner Treo and the keyboard is an improvement over the 700p IMHO. On the other hand, with the 8800, I was very concerned that I'd never get used to the keyboard.

After 4 days with the 8300, I'm very happy. I haven't seen any lag issues, call quality has been excellent, the camera is acceptable (certainly better than the Treo's), and email is working well.

I got my curve on friday and am very happy with it. I was actually about to get the 8800 until I heard about the curve dropping. The 8800 is a great device also. No hating here.

Once again today...I have been warring over the decision as to whether keep my 8300 or exchange it for the 8800. I like the Curve, but there are several things that the 8800 brings to the table...aside from the GPS:

1. The screen on the 8800 is muchbrighter and more colorful. The 8300 screen looks pale and washed-out in side-by-side comparison. (Is this just me...or am I not adjusting my screen right on my 8300?)

2. The app icons on the 8800 are more clearly defined and more easily seen than those on the 8300.

3. I much prefer the weightiness of the 8800 to the lightness of the 8300.

I have heard much about the incoming call quality of the 8800 being horrible, and the earpiece volume being low. Is this the case? That is an absolute dealbreaker to me.

I will make a decision in the next couple of days. I appreciate the help...

I can comment on #1 and asked an engineering colleague at RIM to confirm for me. (I don't have any "inside knowledge" - I just manage a couple thousand 'Berries for Uncle Sam, and happen to deal with RIM enough that I'm on a first name basis with a bunch of folks there.)

Anyways... the part is different between the two models. The 8300 uses a newer, slimmer LCD and that is the reason there is a difference between the two.

I noticed it myself, and figured I'd ask. From what I was told, the 8700 and 8800 series share that same component and a number of common items on the PCB.

I will agree with you on the weightiness of the 8800. It does feel very solid, but the rails on the side are the killer for me. I can't stand the squeak. My engineering contact did say that it has been revised in recent production runs, but of course, the warehouses are already stocked. It's just pure luck if you get one of the newer ones.

The one I picked up from T-Mobile was manufactured 3 weeks ago, and still exhibited the squeak after only 12 hours of use.

All preference gentleman! I've used the Curve since Friday, and yes all those things about the 8800 with the screen brightness is true and what not! But the way the Curve fits in the hand is absolutely great, Form Factor rules in my book with this device!

I actually called AT&T today and placed an order for an 8800...and it should be here tomorrow, or Thursday. I will have a chance to jog back and forth between the two...and make a quality decision.

Don't get me wrong...I really do like the 8300 Curve. In fact...it has made me a Blackberry convert, and that is saying loads. I like the form, the keypad, and the liquid silver color better than the 8800...but I dislike the featherweight feel, the washed-out screen, and the "smaller" everything about it. If I get the 8800, and after a few days get freaked out about the "creaky" side rails...and certain things (like earpiece volume/call-quality) are not on par with the 8300 (excellent in both areas)...the 8800 might be making it's way back to AT&T. Who knows?

I am kinda liking the built-in GPS of the 8800, since I could give a rip about a camera.

I sound flaky...but I really want whichever device I choose to be one I can use for a long time...so it has to be "right".

have both an 8800 and an 8300 and the size, keyboard, 3.5m jack/a2dp do it for me very nicely since i have long commutes. the 8800 was great, imho the color combination made it look sleeker, although the grip on the curve is slowly growing on me. but once at the end of the day both devices get the job done.

Well...got the 8800 today, and it didn't take me more than a few hours to know that it wasn't the phone for me...and it's packed up waiting for FedEx to pick it up tomorrow morning.

After using the Curve, and being able to manipulate it so easily one-handed...the 8800 feels wide and cumbersome. Side-by-side comparison with the screens was a suprise...very little difference if at all, with both screens set to 100% brightness.

The 8800 lived up to it's reputation as a "creaky" phone. Right out of the box, it felt loose and hollow compared to the Curve...although I still prefer the weight of the 8800 to the lightness of the 8300. But, the Curve is definately built more solid and sound.

So...guess I am sticking with the 8300. I felt a real satisfaction as I put my SIM and battery back into it..and powered it up. Guess I am a BlackBerry convert once and for all...and have found a device I really like for a change.

I'm stoked all over again!!!

Glad to hear you're found what you're looking for! This is my 2nd BlackBerry. I joined the club at the beginning of the year when I purchased my Pearl. I think the Pearl is a really good phone especially for the form factor, but the 8300 has just made my Blackberry experience even better. Interestingly, the 8300 screen is really good for me. I like the size and much to my surprise, I can read it in full daylight with my polarized sunglasses on. That rocks! My Pearl's screen was pretty much unusable in full daylight. Coming from the Pearl, I was really happy that the Curve is pretty much the same in terms of being light to handle. Overall, I really love my Curve and it's sealed it for me being a Blackberry user for the forseeable future. Anyway, congrats on finding something you really like! I know the feeling.

I initially got the 8800 and was pleased with it. Then picked up the 8300 as well a few days ago. Performance wise, I'm happy with both, but the screen is a lot better on the 8800. Seems like some bugs need to be ironed out with the 8300 but that just takes time. And I prefer the GPS over the camera - anyone with any discerning eye on photography wouldn't be using a phone's camera anyway.

Purely from an aesthetic point of view (being a design professional)l, I'd have to say the 8800 wins. The 8300 and its "liquid silver" casing is actually just gray plastic. I don't know where they came up with the marketing gimmick of "liquid sliver," but it's like saying my thinkpad is an "infinite depth monolithic black," when it's just black. I'm sorry to say the 8300 looks and feels a little like a toy. It's probably more similar to the look of the older blackberries but that also means it's a little dull. The 8800 looks like a glossy integrated unit and has a nicer weight to it. And again, the screen doesn't look washed out.

i love my curve; looks sweet with the black skin on it! no major problems so far.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7130/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I have both an 8800 & Curve. I do not believe in the game of "My BB is better than yours ".
1) All models are great devices.
2) Everyone has different preferences.
3) Only negative people focus on negative things & are critical of others choices.

Well now that you got that out of your system, I hope you can sit back, relax and enjoy your phone. I have owned every Blackberry my carrier offered (and many others they did not offer) and found each is different and has it's good and bad characteristics.

How can I switch from the 8800 to 8300, I am in a contract? Is there a way to upgrade?, buy up, trade up????

Thanks

I was suprised at how quickly I blew off the 8800. Up close and personal, the phone didn't look or feel as well put together, or detailed as the 8300...not to say it was "junk" or anything, just seemed like things like the way the case and the USB/charger and headphone input jacks didn't exactly line up...and the way the battery cover was kind of hollow and flexy...those kind of things on the 8800, turned me off.

And, the 8800 has got to be the biggest fingerprint magnet short of Motorolas KRZR...I'd be wiping it off all the time. Guess I'm just anal that way about my devices. I do it enough on the Curve...and that is the only thing that I dislike about a "candybar" phone form vs. the flip-phone since the screen is more protected.

The earpiece speaker volume (like you have said in another post) on the 8800 is not at all as loud and clear...even set at 100%...as the 8300 Curve. Sound quality too, on the 8800, was lacking...at least to me.

I will say that they keypad of the 8800 did not bother me at all. In fact, I found it more comfortable than the 8300 to me, and I did not find it slippery or cramped like so many others. I liked the font size of the type on the 8800 too, compared to the 8300. But...all that is personal preference, and not a generality.

It is clear why some prefer the 8800. And, if I had nothing else to compare it to...I would have gladly kept it. But, the 8300 is the better device for me...right now, even though it's not perfect.

Maybe BlackBerry will call me before they design their next device and get my opinions...because I know how valuable and important they are...



Yeah...right. LOL

I have both, but I didn't buy the 8300 out of disatisfaction with the 8800. I was planning to skip the 8300 until I saw one in the local AT&T store. It felt better in the hand and the keyboard is markedly better, because of the raised keys, and that tiny bit of space between makes a big difference and the click/feedback is more satisfying than the relatively mushy feel of the 8800 keyboard. And can you spell spellcheck? I never liked the 3rd party speller (I haven't figured out how to make the 8300 spellcheck all e-mails before sending yet). Calls are clearer, certain ringtones sharper and the display cleaner and brighter. I even have been enjoying the camera toy.

But I miss my GPS desperately! I was going to keep the 8800 alive just as a dedicated GPS receiver, but that seems too costly. I wish RIM wouldn't disable every other damn feature. I wish I could BT the GPS reciever in my 8800, though my 8300, and work around that way. But I guess I'll have to go out and get another GPS receiver.

I had heard rumors that the 8300 would have "real" BT, and not just the usual RIM runt version. So far, not good, but I'll do some searching here and see if I can wrest some utility from a hamstrung device.

I am growing increasingly tired of RIM's masterminding of its releases by refusing to put out something that actually uses its full capabilities. I would hate to work for a RIM-like company and develop great products only to have the suits contract away key elements. Directv does this too, in the way they pawn off crippled DVRs with their services. If ever I abandon RIM, it will because some other company will approach their customers by finding what they want and then trying to provide it, instead of trying to massage customers into an artificially "always leave them wanting more" posture. I hear the Blackberry 9900 will have 3G, real BT, Wi-Fi, GPS, but a deliberately lousy and non-functional keyboard, and a 20 minute battery life.

I'm a week into my 8300 ownership and not a thing to complain about coming from an 8800. Yes, not having the built-in GPS bothers me a bit, but the camera, 3.5mm audio jack, better keyboard and better form factor trump that criticism in spades.

The 8300 is just a solid blackberry in every respect.

hi all...
i think 8800 is good funtion...(with GPS) so about 8300 for fashion...but, i'm still comfortable with 8800 function..

Hello there,

I have an 8800 which when booted up just shows a white screen and hourglass. it does not go anywhere from there. I have tried rebooting it but it just does not get to the main screen. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Allen

Ummm...so, I guess "Curve not looking so bad now huh, 8800 owners?".

Playin'.

I went from a 7290 to an 8700 and now have had the curve for a couple of days. I love it. I was afraid the keyboard would be difficult to type on, and although it is a little slower to type than the 8700 and the 7290, i love this device. i wish it had gps and wifi, but the form factor blows me away and i love having a camera.

i owned a 8800 first before I owned my curve and I like my curve a lot better because its lighter and smaller. Plus it has a camera which I use FAR more than the 8800's GPS. Dont get me wrong, the 8800 is badass, but i use the features on my 8300 more than the 8800.

Also the media program is more organized on the curve.

Since my last post, where I said how much more I liked the 8300 over the 8800...I have ordered another 8800 from AT&T as my "backup" (a thinly veiled justification to buy another BlackBerry) device. After years of having multiple devices...I found it hard to adjust to just one phone.

Seriously though, I am looking forward to having both phones to enjoy at the same time. I can and will use the 8800's GPS feature in some traveling that I will be doing shortly, and it will come in handy.

So...I guess I can't pick sides any more, can I? LOL

As much as I said I've loved the Curve the last couple of weeks, even with any faults! I've decided to go back to the 8800 series. Just too many issues with the Curve! The loose rubber sides, the loose mic piece, the creaky corners, static on the line (sometimes), and dust getting inside the screen is just too long of a list. Some may relate, some may think the device is the best thing since sliced bread, all preference. I still like many things about the device (Form Factor), but I feel RIM is really letting products take a hit on quality just to get more units out of the shoot.I Hope this is not a sign of things to come from them and their newer devices down the line, because the quality is less then average at this point.

I decided to switch back to my 8800. I haven't had any problems with dust or any other build quality problems. I just like the GPS more than the camera.

My wife loves her 8300. After a day with the 8300, she gave her pearl to her brother.

sean76,

Several months ago I submitted a post that asked the question whether or not BlackBerry users should be concerned if RIM would be able to maintain 'Quality Control' on all the new models that they are introducing.

The general response to this question was that RIM 'should keep bringing out new models - the more the better.' It now seems that this is indeed a cause of great concern for BlackBerry users.

CarBob

My 8300 is going back today for the 8800. This 8300 is a replacement for the original 8300. The original had synch issues. That was resolved with the new 8300, but on the new one, the phone sounds terrible. Crackles, low volume at time, dropped calls.

Since the first 8300 d/n have these problems, I conclude that the build quality is questionable on some devices.

I love the 8300, but it has to go back. I c/n spend any more time working with it and I am almost at the end of my 30 days.

I am really glad my 8300 hasnt had any of the problems that you guys have posted about, there seems to be many...?

I doubt sincerely that the vast majority of 8300 Curve owners are having the construction and performance problems some post about here. I have had mine for over a month...one of the first sold by AT&T Business Services...and have had absolutely zero issues.

Bear in mind that forums are like customer surveys...you never hear a peep from those who are 100% satisfied, but you hear always hear from those who are having a problem. And...device-specific forum folks are always pickier than anybody else in the universe too...

Curve is still the better choice for me, even as a corporate user. I found the 8800's keypad small and the form factor a little on the uncomfortable side.

The Curve has a great form factor and keypad. The issues affecting everyone (e.g. Appointments) will be fixed by RIM. I can't say anything about the build quality because mine's been great.

The one advantage for the 8800 is built in GPS, and that almost swayed me. Until I realized that it's always consuming data charges, and when using it in the states, would cost a fortune. So a standalone GPS for me.

Just IMHO, of course.

Mine is going back too. It worked fine for about a week, then it started rebooting multiple times a day. It's gotten so bad, that I can't even enter a new appointment before it craps out. I'm going back to my 7130 until T-Mobile releases their Curve variant. By then, they should have most of the bugs worked out.

very good point

Hi
The end result for most 8800 users is that the keyboard is learned as you continually use the device. If the 8800 has a fault I would say it is the keyboard as I too came from all the older devices 7290,7520,7100, 8300 and now the 8800. The first month the keyboard was a bit of a challange but not anymore. Since I get to use all of the devices I can say each one has a list of assets and issues. I say if your getting your calls, email, and calender your doing what the device was exactly designed to do. The rest is icing on the cake.
Cheers...

I am buying the Curve in a week (moving from the 8100)... for a few reasons. The 2MP camera and full QWERTY (and the newness of it!) being the driving reasons. I played with both at my AT&T store, and put the 8800 down almost immediately. I do adore the idea of integrated GPS... but I could not handle the form factor. I have normal size hands, but holding it and trying to use the trackball one handed would NOT have worked out well for me. It just seems far too wide. The Curve on the other hand felt like it was made for me. I love my Pearl, but when holding it up to my ear to talk if I don't have my headset, it almost feels TOO small.
Of course, I am maybe going to keep my Pearl and switch back and forth, who knows. But I think until the next late great BlackBerry comes out... the Curve is for me.

I've had both 8800 and the 8300. The 8800 isn't bad! It's a lot larger, physically, in your pocket, even though it'll just look like you're carrying a really thin wallet ;) haha. not to mention mine broke in 3 days? The antena was faulty, and didn't send have the texts, the browser didn't go very well and the phone calls didn't go through. So I just returned it and bought the 8300. Regardless. I prefer the 8300 even though I do miss the GPS in the 8800. But I do have the camera, less weight, and a sexier design! So I personally prefer the 8300. Works great

VIVA !

Kent.

I switch back and forth between the 8300 and 8800. the 8800 is WAY better for build quality. All three of my 8300 Curves have got dust behind the screen so do not be surprised when you find it behind yours.

The 8800 screen is more saturated. If the 8800 had the spell checker and camera, I would toss the 8300 for sure.

I have both devices, 8800 & 8300. I'm forever swapping between the two! I just want to merge them both.

Give me the 8800, with Curve keypad, and camera, and am good!