Reading BJT Transistor Datasheets. Two different values for collector emitter voltage?
What you are seeing is the difference between guaranteed maximum and typical.  Typical specs are mostly marketing BS.  What you need to design to are the min/max specs.

The curves show typical values, so you can't rely on them.  Their point is to give you some idea how the part behaves, even if you have to use different numbers to determine part values in your design.  Think of the curves as kindof interesting, but not much more.