The Motorola SPICE Key and BlackBerry Curve 8520 represent distinct eras of mobile technology. The SPICE Key, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S1, aimed to bring early Android smartphone capabilities to a wider audience. The Curve 8520, a stalwart of the BlackBerry ecosystem, prioritized secure communication and physical keyboard usability. This comparison dissects their core differences, focusing on performance and suitability for modern use.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2024, the Motorola SPICE Key is the more viable option. Its 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU, coupled with the Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 chipset, offers a performance advantage over the Curve 8520’s 512 MHz processor, making it better suited for basic app usage and web browsing, despite both being very limited by today's standards.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 | - |
| EDGE | - | Class 10 |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, July. Released 2011, Q3 | 2009, July. Released 2009, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116.5 x 58 x 13.5 mm (4.59 x 2.28 x 0.53 in) | 109 x 60 x 13.9 mm (4.29 x 2.36 x 0.55 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 110 g (3.88 oz) | 106 g (3.74 oz) |
| | - | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~163 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~35.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.46 inches, 18.7 cm2 (~28.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 65K colors |
| | Moto Switch UI
| - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 512 MHz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227-1 Snapdragon S1 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | - |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) | BlackBerry OS 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 512MB 256MB RAM | 256MB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.15 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 480p@24fps | 320p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | Dedicated music keys |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | - |
| | MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Document viewer
Photo viewer
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 720 h (3G) | Up to 408 h |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h 16 min (2G) / Up to 8 h (3G) | Up to 4 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1420 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1150 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) | 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 SPICE Key
- More powerful processor (600 MHz ARM 11)
- Snapdragon S1 chipset offers better multimedia handling
- Potential for Android app compatibility (limited)
- Early Android version may lack modern features
- Limited RAM and storage
- Display quality likely low
BlackBerry Curve 8520
- Physical QWERTY keyboard for efficient typing
- Secure BlackBerry OS
- Efficient power management (potentially)
- Slower processor (512 MHz)
- Limited app ecosystem
- Outdated operating system
Display Comparison
Information regarding the displays of both devices is unavailable. However, given their market positioning, both likely featured low-resolution LCD panels. The SPICE Key, being a later device, *may* have benefited from slightly improved color reproduction, but neither display would be considered high-quality by modern standards. The Curve 8520’s smaller screen size might offer a slightly higher pixel density, but this is speculative.
Camera Comparison
Details regarding the camera specifications of both devices are limited. It’s safe to assume both featured basic cameras suitable for capturing low-resolution photos in good lighting conditions. The SPICE Key, benefiting from the Snapdragon S1’s image signal processor (ISP), likely offered slightly better image quality and faster processing times. However, neither camera would be considered competitive by modern standards. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading, as image quality is heavily influenced by sensor size and image processing capabilities, both of which are likely similar.
Performance
The Motorola SPICE Key’s Qualcomm MSM7227-1 Snapdragon S1 chipset, featuring a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU, represents a significant architectural leap over the BlackBerry Curve 8520’s 512 MHz processor. While both are relatively slow by today’s standards, the Snapdragon S1 benefits from a more modern architecture and dedicated hardware for multimedia processing. This translates to a smoother, albeit still sluggish, experience when running applications and browsing the web on the SPICE Key. The Curve 8520’s processor, while adequate for BlackBerry OS’s core functions, struggles with multitasking and modern web content.
Battery Life
Battery capacity information is unavailable for both devices. However, given their similar form factors and target markets, battery life was likely comparable. The BlackBerry Curve 8520’s BlackBerry OS was known for its efficient power management, potentially offering slightly longer standby times. The SPICE Key’s Android OS, even in its early iterations, was more power-hungry, potentially requiring more frequent charging. Charging times would have been significantly longer than modern smartphones, likely taking several hours to fully charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola SPICE Key if you need a device capable of running basic Android applications, even if slowly, and appreciate the potential for limited customization. It's a collector's item for early Android enthusiasts. Buy the BlackBerry Curve 8520 if you prioritize a physical QWERTY keyboard for messaging and a secure, albeit dated, BlackBerry OS experience. It's ideal for those seeking a nostalgic BlackBerry experience and secure communication, understanding its limitations in modern app compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can the Motorola SPICE Key be upgraded to a newer version of Android?
Officially, no. The SPICE Key shipped with an early version of Android and Motorola did not release any official updates. While custom ROMs *may* exist, installing them is a complex process and carries risks, potentially bricking the device. The hardware limitations of the Snapdragon S1 also restrict the performance of newer Android versions.
❓ Is the BlackBerry Curve 8520 still secure for sensitive communications?
While BlackBerry OS was renowned for its security features, the Curve 8520 is now vulnerable due to its age. The operating system no longer receives security updates, making it susceptible to exploits. Using it for highly sensitive communications is not recommended. The network infrastructure supporting BlackBerry services has also been largely discontinued.
❓ Will either of these phones work with modern mobile networks (4G/5G)?
No. Both the Motorola SPICE Key and BlackBerry Curve 8520 only support 2G and 3G networks. Modern mobile carriers are phasing out these older networks, rendering these phones unusable for voice calls and data connectivity in many regions.
