Model choice, 9630 or 8530?

[wingsp4n]

The company is ordering new blackberry's next week and I'm stuck deciding which model I should go for. I have it down to the Tour 9630 or the Curve 8530.

I've been running on a Curve 8330 for the last two years, which has been a fantastic phone. I consider myself a heavy BB user (I travel frequently), but my use is largely focused on email, txt, and IM...with a little web browsing and games in flight. I would say I do 40-50% of my email directly on the blackberry.

Initially I was leaning towards the 8530 since it's the upgraded version of what I have now and the WiFi is attractive, but a co-worker convinced me to consider the Tour as well. The basic feature comparison has them being reasonably comparable...screen size, trackball/touchpad, button layout, WiFi, and audio/video formats being the key differences I can spot. It seems a lot of reviews target the 8530 as the "entry level" device where the Tour is pegged for the "power users". I tend to take online reviews with a grain of salt...but they are input none the less.

Coming from the wise BBS...what would you recommend? This will be my lifeline for the next 18 months.

Thanks!

[saukrateaz]

I like them both. the curve is a little small for me, but has a trackpad. The tour is more my size but has a trackball. If you are use to the 8330 form factor go with the curve. The curve is a lower end device while the tour is more a mid/high end device. Keep in mind the Tour is being "end of life"d. good luck with your decision, they are both good devices.

[wingsp4n]

Originally Posted by saukrateaz

The curve is a lower end device while the tour is more a mid/high end device.

What makes the curve a "lower end" device...or rather what makes the Tour the "high end" device?

Just curious...I can't seem to find much detail, other than the statement.

[saukrateaz]

I wish i could answer that, but i cannot. I have not seen or heard much detail regarding how they are dubbed.
In my experience, the ones that are named higher end devices are the larger ones geared more for business where the smaller devices are geared more for commercial use and the younger users. just my opinion.

[ridesno159]

1. The Tour is faster, not by much though
2. The Curve has a lower resolution camera with no flash, not a big deal for some.
3. The Curve has "Media" buttons on the top instead of a lock and mute button that the Tour has. I find the "Media" buttons useless because the volume and mute buttons will do the same, and I use the lock button more than the music player.
4. If your a charging pod lover, like me, the Curve doesn't have contacts on the back or sides for a pod. So you can't get a Blackberry charging pod for it.
5. The Tour is a "World Phone" meaning it has a GSM and CDMA radio in it. You will be able to use the Tour in just about every country in the world by slipping a SIM card in it.
6. The screen resolution on the Curve is much lower than the Tour. Coming from a 8330, you won't notice much of a difference though.
7. The Curve does have wifi, you should ask yourself if you need that. If the network is good, then wifi really isn't that important. It does add the ability to talk and surf the web at the same time though.
8. Of course, one has a trackpad and one has a trackball. I like the trackball, but it seems that that trackpad is the new thing now. I find it hard to play Brickbreaker on the trackpad.

Typing will be much easier for you on the 8530 since the keyboard is just like the 8330, but it won't take you long at all to learn the 9630. I find it easier to type on the 9630's keyboard. I think I covered most, if not all, of the differences above. If it were my choice, I would go with the Tour, but only you know how you will use the phone.

[wingsp4n]

Thanks for the run down...looks like I need to stop by a Verizon store and just play with both phones for a little while to decide what I like.

The trackpad would make brickbreaker much more difficult...could be a deal breaker!

[deRusett]

Originally Posted by wingsp4n

Thanks for the run down...looks like I need to stop by a Verizon store and just play with both phones for a little while to decide what I like.

The trackpad would make brickbreaker much more difficult...could be a deal breaker!

Brick Breaker on the Tour is challenge, I can't get half the score on my tour as I have on my 8330.

I find I play far less games on my 9630 vs my 8330, because I am being more productive, having Docs to go with excel as default on the tour, I can get more done.

THE only thing for the 8530 is the track pad, after using the Tour Screen, I have a hard time using a curve now. you wont be able to move from a 9630, to a 8530, but you could upgrade from the 8530 to the 9630.

[wingsp4n]

Following up...I did got with the 9630 and thus far I'm very happy with the choice. The track ball is taking some getting used to, but it will come with time.

Thanks for the recommendation!