Blackberry 8520 Review

Blackberry recently launched a new handset targeted at entry -level users, but will its efforts yield any fruit?

On the face of it, the 8520 looks like all the other Blackberry mobile phones. The external facia has the now-familiar screen with full QWERTY keyboard layout. Blackberry has changed their familiar rubber trackball to an optical one. This keeps the phone as smooth as possible and is perhaps more intuitive to people who have never used a Blackberry before. The phone is also curvier and has a more modern, less corporate appearance. It is certainly more fun that other business-oriented Blackberries.

That being said, it does build on Blackberry's business heritage. The phone comes with Blackberry's standard email software which, combined with the un-cramped QWERTY keyboard, makes emails (and SMS messaging) easy and straightforward. Attachments in emails can also be read by the Blackberry 8520 which sets in apart from most other phones in this price range.

The Blackberry 8520 also comes with the Blackberry messaging software. This gives users easy-to-use instant messaging between all other Blackberry users. This feature is both unique to Blackberry and hugely popular.

The phone has WiFi connectivity which meanS that your connection will zip along when you are in reach of WiFI network (say, when you're at home or at work).

Overall, this mobile phone has been very popular and is finding a new target group of customers, the younger generation. These customers love QWERTY keyboards and the fact they can check their emails on the go. With most of this target group hanging around in WiFi hot spots like bars and cafes, the lack of 3g will not be much of a problem.

Orange is one of the UK's leading mobile phone providers, delivering high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population, and 3G coverage to more than 93%. For more information on mobile phones and broadband solutions, visit the Orange shop.