The late 2000s saw a fascinating transition in mobile technology. The Motorola GLEAM+ WX308 represented a refined feature phone experience, while the BlackBerry Curve 8520 was an early, accessible smartphone. This comparison examines how these two devices catered to different user needs during a pivotal moment in mobile history.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the user prioritizing secure messaging and a physical keyboard, the BlackBerry Curve 8520 is the clear winner. However, if multimedia playback and a more modern (though still basic) user interface are key, the Motorola GLEAM+ WX308 offers a compelling alternative, especially given its likely lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| EDGE | No | Class 10 |
| GPRS | Yes | Class 10 |
| Technology | GSM | GSM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, February. Released 2012, April | 2009, July. Released 2009, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 107 x 52.5 x 13.5 mm, 75.8 cc (4.21 x 2.07 x 0.53 in) | 109 x 60 x 13.9 mm (4.29 x 2.36 x 0.55 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 105 g (3.70 oz) | 106 g (3.74 oz) |
| | - | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 400 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~163 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 22.3 cm2 (~39.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.46 inches, 18.7 cm2 (~28.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 65K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 512 MHz |
| OS | - | BlackBerry OS 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 50MB | 256MB |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 320p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | Dedicated music keys |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | - |
| | - | MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 417 h | Up to 408 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 50 min | Up to 4 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 750 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1150 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Winter White, Silver | Black |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.22 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -87.2dB / Crosstalk -86.6dB |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 76dB |
Motorola GLEAM+ WX308
- Likely superior battery life due to simpler hardware.
- Potentially more durable construction typical of Motorola feature phones.
- Simpler user interface for those unfamiliar with smartphones.
- Limited functionality compared to a smartphone.
- Inferior processing power and multitasking capabilities.
- Lower-quality camera and display.
BlackBerry Curve 8520
- Secure email and messaging via BlackBerry Messenger (BBM).
- Physical QWERTY keyboard for efficient typing.
- Early smartphone functionality, including web browsing and app support.
- Shorter battery life compared to feature phones.
- Slower processor and limited multitasking.
- Smaller screen size compared to modern smartphones.
Display Comparison
Given the lack of specific display data for the GLEAM+, we can infer it likely featured a smaller, lower-resolution screen typical of feature phones at the time. The Curve 8520 boasts a 2.44-inch display, a standard size for early smartphones. While neither device will offer the vibrant colors or high resolutions of modern displays, the Curve 8520’s larger screen provides a more comfortable experience for reading emails and browsing the web, albeit a limited experience. The GLEAM+ likely prioritized power efficiency over display quality.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera details for the GLEAM+, it’s reasonable to assume it included a basic camera for capturing snapshots. The Curve 8520 featured a 2-megapixel camera, which, while low by today’s standards, was a common offering in early smartphones. The Curve’s camera allowed for capturing photos and videos, though image quality would be limited, especially in low-light conditions. The GLEAM+’s camera was likely intended for casual use, while the Curve 8520 offered a slightly more versatile imaging experience.
Performance
The BlackBerry Curve 8520’s 512 MHz CPU represents a significant step beyond the processing power found in typical feature phones. This allowed for running BlackBerry’s OS and applications, including email clients and basic web browsers. The GLEAM+, lacking published CPU specs, likely relied on a much slower processor optimized for basic call and text functions. This difference in processing power translates to a vastly different user experience; the Curve 8520 could handle multitasking (albeit limited), while the GLEAM+ focused on single-task efficiency.
Battery Life
Feature phones like the GLEAM+ typically excel in battery life due to their less demanding hardware and software. The Curve 8520, with its more powerful processor and data-intensive features like email and web browsing, would have had a shorter battery life. While the Curve 8520’s battery capacity isn’t specified, it’s likely smaller than the GLEAM+’s, reflecting the trade-off between functionality and longevity. Users prioritizing extended talk time and standby duration would likely favor the GLEAM+.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola GLEAM+ WX308 if you need a durable, long-lasting device primarily for calls, texts, and basic multimedia consumption. Its strength lies in simplicity and battery life. Buy the BlackBerry Curve 8520 if you prioritize secure email, instant messaging via BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), and a tactile typing experience with its QWERTY keyboard – essential for productivity on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Curve 8520’s trackball reliable for navigation?
The trackball on the Curve 8520 was a signature feature, but it was also known to be prone to failure over time. Dust and debris could accumulate, causing it to become unresponsive. While functional when new, potential trackball issues are a common concern for used Curve 8520 units.
❓ Can the Motorola GLEAM+ WX308 be used for basic internet browsing?
The GLEAM+ likely offered limited internet browsing capabilities through a WAP browser. However, the experience would be slow and cumbersome due to the lack of a powerful processor and a high-resolution display. It was not designed for extensive web browsing.
❓ How secure is email communication on the BlackBerry Curve 8520?
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 was renowned for its secure email capabilities, leveraging BlackBerry’s enterprise-grade security infrastructure. It offered robust encryption and authentication protocols, making it a popular choice for business users concerned about data privacy.
❓ Does the Motorola GLEAM+ WX308 support expandable storage?
Given its feature phone nature, the GLEAM+ likely had limited internal storage and may or may not have supported microSD card expansion. This would be a key consideration for users wanting to store a significant number of photos or music files.
