BlackBerry Curve 8520
The affordable Curve that put BBM in the hands of millions of teens.
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a budget BlackBerry smartphone released Jul 2009, with a launch price of $300. It pairs its chipset with a 2.46" LCD display, a 2 MP main camera and a 1,150 mAh battery. In SpecEagle's editorial review it scores 40/100 — The BBM phone for the masses. Standout strengths: affordable entry to bbm and push email. and new optical trackpad. Main trade-off: 2g edge only — no 3g.
The BBM phone for the masses.
The Curve 8520 made BlackBerry Messenger affordable, introducing the optical trackpad and becoming hugely popular with teens and budget buyers. Its BBM ubiquity — especially among younger users — was a cultural moment just before WhatsApp and the iPhone reshaped messaging.
Read the full review- Affordable entry to BBM and push email.
- New optical trackpad.
- Light 106 g with a good keyboard.
- microSD + jack.
Full specifications
Benchmarks
How the BlackBerry Curve 8520 compares
| BlackBerry Curve 8520 | Galaxy S5 | BlackBerry Bold 9000 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpecEagle score | 40 | 40 | 42 |
| Chipset | — | Snapdragon 801 | — |
| Display | 2.46" LCD | 5.1" FHD AMOLED | 2.6" LCD |
| Main camera | 2 MP | 16 MP · f/2.2 | 2 MP |
| Battery | 1,150 mAh | 2,800 mAh | 1,500 mAh |
| Launch price | $300 | $660 | $500 |
Frequently asked questions
When was the BlackBerry Curve 8520 released?
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 was released in Jul 2009.
How much does the BlackBerry Curve 8520 cost?
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 launched at $300 (manufacturer suggested price at release; street and second-hand prices vary by region, storage tier and time since launch).
What is the BlackBerry Curve 8520 screen size and type?
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 has a 2.46" LCD display.
How much RAM and storage does the BlackBerry Curve 8520 have?
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 ships with 256 MB · microSD (RAM · base storage); higher configurations may be available.
What is the BlackBerry Curve 8520 battery capacity?
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 has a 1,150 mAh battery.
What is the BlackBerry Curve 8520 main camera?
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 has a 2 MP main camera.
Does the BlackBerry Curve 8520 have a headphone jack?
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 has a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
How much does the BlackBerry Curve 8520 weigh?
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 weighs 106 g.
What colours does the BlackBerry Curve 8520 come in?
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 is available in 3 colours: Black, White, Violet.
Is the BlackBerry Curve 8520 worth buying?
The Curve 8520 made BlackBerry Messenger affordable, introducing the optical trackpad and becoming hugely popular with teens and budget buyers. Its BBM ubiquity — especially among younger users — was a cultural moment just before WhatsApp and the iPhone reshaped messaging. SpecEagle gives the BlackBerry Curve 8520 an editorial score of 40/100.
Owner opinions
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