[Mobiguy]

I've read much more negative feedback related to the reliability of the Curve compared to other blackberries. I was just wondering if you guys think that is just because it is a more popular device and hence has more negative feedback or are other devices actually built better?

[maxxxxpower98]

Well, this is my first BB (actually have 2 Curves...1 personal, 1 issued from work). Both are almost flawless. My personal one less so; maybe the extra apps and shit I've added contribute to that.

My work one, which my work in it's infinite governmental wisdom, has decided to block everything but email, phone, and calendar, is flawless. Never had a problem.

[takeshi]

Every new model ends up getting countless threads questioning reliability. Even the 8700 had such threads when it was first introduced. It's difficult to meaningfully assess anything regarding reliability from postings on these forums. FWIW, I've had an 8310 for about 1.5 years and have had no problems with it.

It also might help to refer to the specific model number you're considering. "Curve" covers a number of models:
8300
8310
8320
8330
8520
8900

[jsconyers]

Also the 8350i (Nextel).

I think the Curve is as reliable as any other BlackBerry. Is it as rugged as the 7200 series, or the 8700 series, I wouldn't say so. But I have had mine for a while and have had no issues with it. In fact, I find it more reliable than the 8830 that I used to have. USB ports on those would need replaced from time to time. Never had an issue with that on the 8330.

[cakvalasc]

I agree with jsconyers Ive had a 8800 and currently still use 8330m for a while and not had one issue with either.

[redrum71]

I've had my 8320 for awhile now and the only thing that annoy's me is when the trackball sticks, but it's so easy to clean it's not really to much of an issue

[tsac]

8310 and the only issue i have had is one way voice transmission but I think thats more a carrier issue than the BB. The most rugged BB I have had is the 8700.
I also had the 850, 957, 6210, 6710, 7290 all were very rugged.

[juwaack68]

I've not heard a ton of negative feedback, per say, but people have had difficulties with them, sometimes due to their own misunderstanding of what they were getting (features/functions, etc). I had one for almost 2 years and really liked it.

Of any device, the one I've probably heard the most negativity about is the Storm.

[pcerio]

My Curve 8330 was very reliable. Speakerblast wasn't an issue for me, upgrading to .131 and .138 were mistakes, but I rolled it back to .77. I hated selling it, but I realized I wasn't going back from the Storm.

[badcat]

I'm new to the world of Blackberry myself. I went through three Tours before giving up and getting an 8330 Curve from Verizon. The Curve isn't as sexy as the Tour and there were some things about the Tour I loved, but the bottom line for me was the Curve is a better at being a phone than the Tour was. Much better call quality and it holds onto the 1XEV network in ways my previous three Tours could only dream of. I wanted a sexy, bleeding edge phone but I wasn't really ready to suffer for it. The sad fact is call quality wise, my previous smartphone, an AT&T Q9h absolutely killed both of these Blackberries. But I love the BB OS and I am pretty happy with my Curve overall and I haven't had any reliability issues what so ever.

[monkeee2002]

Originally Posted by Mobiguy

I've read much more negative feedback related to the reliability of the Curve compared to other blackberries. I was just wondering if you guys think that is just because it is a more popular device and hence has more negative feedback or are other devices actually built better?

From what I've been learning, the majority of the negative feedback comes from:
(A) people who don't understand the memory management side of owning a BB, and essentially allow their BB to fail from neglect.
(B) people who think that a smartphone is as durable as a mini frisbie. It's not a chew toy. It's not a floatation device. It's not a hammer.

Granted, RIM devices do fail sometimes. Every manufacturer has that problem.
A blackberry is basically a mini PC. If you treat it accordingly, it's going to last you a while.

[turn_key]

Originally Posted by juwaack68

I've not heard a ton of negative feedback, per say, but people have had difficulties with them, sometimes due to their own misunderstanding of what they were getting (features/functions, etc). I had one for almost 2 years and really liked it.

Of any device, the one I've probably heard the most negativity about is the Storm.

I would have to second that. I've had my 8330 since the beginning of the year and have not had any major issues. One of my first complaints was a vibrate/ringtone issue but it was own misunderstanding of the profiles, as juwaack pointed out. I just bought my wife an 8330 and a few friends switched over with nothing but praise.

Another friend has a storm and complains about the touch function but that's about it. I haven't heard of anyone with a curve complaining about it much.