Hi -- Longtime Lurker, First Time Poster.

Greetings -- So, quick Smartphone History, in the past few years, I have used Treos (650, 680, 700p), BB's (8700g, 8700c, 8703e, Pearl) and tried out all the WM devices (Q, BlackJack, Dash) and also had both the SKII & SKIII. The two devices that got the most use were the 650 and the Pearl.Yep, all the companies hate me b/c I buy and return so much. Most recently have been using the Pearl b/c the voice quality was sooo much better than both the 8700g and 8700c. Have been anxiously awaiting the Curve (found one in stock last night) and I do think it is my SmartPhone Nirvana.

However, I have 2 concerns which I'm not sure merit an exchange or not: After hearing all the side squeak issues on the 8800, I was saddened that I have a bit of play & a bit of a squeak on the right front side right between the "P" key and the bottom of the screen. Does anyone else have something like this in that area? Also, my one big CON is that the backlighting sucks -- just uneven and not good. I tend to be a bit OCD about my devices... but if they all have similar issues, then I will deal.

Thanks much in advance for the advice!

Hi lpnyc,

I too have a little bit of play in my 8300, though more toward the bottom, but unless our perceptions are radically different, you may have a problem with the backlight. Mine seems quite even and relatively high quality overall. You might want to see if they have another working unit at a store you can take a look at.

Between my volume button and the camer button I have play in that side rail. It seems that side of the device is most prone to movement. Jury is still out whether the dreaded 8800 creak will repeat on the 8300.

My backlight seems even -- though I will say on my 8800 I had what I considered an uneven backlight. On the right side of the screen my 8800 had a very slight reddish hue -- which drove me crazy but I kept telling myself it was my eyes and nobody would ever be able to verify it for an exchange.

One defect that I have seen on my unit and appears to be widespread is the amount of pressure that it takes to work the volume buttons and whether this issue will get better/worse/stay the same as the units get broken in. At least a few people have reported the volume button as difficult to press and very flush with the casing -- making it hard to adjust unless you press it in the exact right place.

Just my .02

My screen backlight is perfect... it's actually the keypad backlight that is just wildly uneven. For instance, the i and the o are quite bright, other keys are barely lit up. Is anyone's else's keypad backlight a little off in that respect. I'm so hesitant to do an exchange b/c the rest of the phone's functionality is perfect (so far at least).

I must have lucked out, my 8300 is built SOLID. No loose parts anywhere on the device. Not even the bottom piece with the at&t logo. I've actually tried pushing hard on the sides and different pieces and the thing is just solid. By the way it was made in CAN so idk if that has anything to do with anything. Although my 8800 was built in CAN and it was squeaky.

I bought my Curve this afternoon. There is no lag and the OS is responsive, trackball feels pretty responsive, as do all of the buttons. The screen is nice and clear, sound quality is perfect. BUT - after about six hours of owning it, it has developed a considerable amount of squeak on the right siderail from the "P" key to just shy of the Volume Down button.

For now, I may be able deal with it. If it gets worse, I'll be heading down to the at&t store to swap out for another one, although I'm somewhat reluctant as the rest of the device functions so well.

Well Welcome to the Forum! I've had every phone that you listed up top, and for me everything changed when I moved to the 8703e, I never looked back! The Blackberry is just so much more stable then palm or windows devices. Now as for your issues with the Curve and that lil bit of play you have with the unit, that's all due to mass production on a huge scale! Some have it, some don't, that simple! I'm pretty much on the OCD side of the fence when it comes to my devices as well, and I hate creaks and loose parts and what not! The one I have now has a pretty solid feel to it! (went through 3 already) It was made in Mexico. As for the back lighting, a bit uneven, the three rows beginning at the top T,Y, and U all look a lil duller then the rest! But on the positive side of things, everything else is dead on! Clarity and loudness with the phone is great, and there's no lag at all with the OS. Take it from me, if your not happy,Pack it up and bring it back!No law against not being satisfied! Again,Welcome to BB Forums!

Thanks Sean!

Interesting -- Mine was made in Canada. The more I use this rockin' little machine, where everything else is perfect, I'm thinking I can live with a mini-side-creak and a slightly unevenly backlit keypad. If I recall correctly, it seems most all the 7290's had some keypad backlighting issues as well as most Treos... so I guess it is kinda par for the course. I actually think the Curve might have calmed my iPhone lust! I think this one's a keeper until the 9000 series comes along.

P.S. Nice to know I'm not alone in the device OCD camp......

Update: I did an exchange today. New one is Made in Mexico. So far, I think it's OK -- feels a lot more solid than my first Canadian one. I'm sure the AT&T people just thought I was a freak as stood there poking around both units trying to decide what flaws if any I had to live with. They made it very clear to me however that I was allowed only 1 exchange and anything else would have to go through the warranty dept.... So Sean76 -- you are in NYC as well, which store has been cool enough to exchange 3 curves in 5 days? I might have to visit them