How can I put into words how I feel about the BlackBerry Bold? In short: I love it and never ever want to let it go, ever. For any BlackBerry user/fan the Bold is everything you’ve wanted and expected from RIM. Sure, it took a little longer than we all expected, but it’s definitely worth the wait. It’s far superior in every respect from anything that RIM has put out on the market. Of course, those of you with a hankering for a touch-screen need not apply. The Bold is for the hardcore CrackBerry addict or is it?
Let’s begin.
Hardware
The Bold sits in between the Curve and 8800 series from all around perspective. In terms of size it’s much closer to that of the 8800 series and is more or less a step-up from that series. However, it takes a handful of features from the Curve and melds them together to make a Super BlackBerry.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the 8800 series keyboard since I’d been using the Curve since its launch, but I quickly adapted and I can now type faster on the Bold than I ever could on the Curve. The overall quality trumps the Curve. In fact, the word cheap comes to mind when I switch from the Bold to the Curve.
The half-VGA screen is…gorgeous. It does come at a cost, though. Previous BlackBerries had a protective piece of plastic covering the screen, but the Bold has a thin and rather flimsy screen this go around. You’ll want to invest in some sort of protective cover for it.
Is that microSD slot on the exterior of the phone? Yes it is! Oh, and the 1GB of internal storage is straight fire (good).
The addition of the 2-megapixel camera will surely make those with an 8800 series giddy or jealous, but Curve owners won’t be too impressed. The camera is par for the course, but it does capture video.
Because the Bold is only available through AT&T you’ll be privy to GPS, but this time you also get Wi-Fi. There is one caveat, however. The BlackBerry Maps app is blocked in favor of AT&T’s Navigator. That’s great for people who drive, but it sucks for city dwellers like myself because I don’t need all that extraneous crap that the app comes with. But the GPS finds me within seconds of loading the app, so I can’t complain too much. You’ll want to download Google Maps. Unfortunately the “My Location” function doesn’t work with the Bold at the moment.
I was never able to connect to my home network using the Curve, but I can now with the Bold. I can’t tell you why that is now, but I don’t question it. It also takes a few extra seconds to connect compared to other devices I have around the home.
This qualm is more of a network issue than it is hardware one, but you can’t utlizie Wi-Fi on the Bold to make calls or send BB IMs over UMA like you can with the Curve on T-Mobile. That’s basically what I did while overseas to save money.
Battery life was thought to be an issue on the Bold by many, but it lasted three days before I decided to juice it up. There is no option to switch from 3G to EDGE, which I think is a travesty because every other 3G smartphone on the market (mainly the iPhone and G1) has the ability to do so. But it lasted three days and that’s fine by me. This will depend on the user, though.
Overall, the hardware is a perfect blend between the 8800 series and Curve series devices. It may be a bit too wide for some folks, but I’m okay with it. It’s roughly the same width as an 8800 series. The keyboard takes some getting used to if you’re moving from any device other than an 8800, but it’s silky smooth. The camera is as good as you’re going to get out of a 2-megapixel sensor, but it does have an LED flash and captures video, so that’s good for something. On top of said camera, the Bold is the first BlackBerry to have GPS and Wi-Fi. I believe it’s the first BB to have Wi-Fi on the AT&T network as well.
Software
OS 4.6 takes a bit of time to get used to because the icons are kind of funky and maybe it’s the AT&T version of the BlackBerry OS that throws me off, but I hate all the folders and what’s allocated into each. But, actually having folders is a nice addition once you organize things the way you want.
Oh yeah, HTML e-mail is FINALLY here.
A ton of games are also included: BrickBreaker, Word Mole, Texas Hold’Em King 2, Sudoku, and Klondike.
DataViz provides a suite of applications for the business folks to view Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. They work well, but I rarely have to view preadsheets or PPT presentations.
RIM has finally done something right with their Web browser. It’s nothing to write home about thanks to Apple, but it’s way better than previous versions. I probably won’t even install Opera if that tells you anything.
The apps are also nothing to fawn over, but I’ve never associated the BlackBerry with applications. Perhaps that’s my downfall in this review, but finding applications is nowhere near as easy as it is on the iPhone or G1. We’ll just have to wait and see till the official BlackBerry App Store opens next year.
Google apps are either not supported are just don’t work at all. When trying to fire up Gmail I’m presented with errors and have yet to run it successfully. The Google Mobile App and Sync are also incompatible with the Bold, which sucks a lot because I rely on Sync to, well, sync my Google calendar with my BlackBerry calendar. Hopefully Google patches these issues or you’re going to have a lot of angry folks like myself.
Network
The BlackBerry excels in the 3G arena where the iPhone 3G falls short. The Bold stays connected where the iPhone would revert to EDGE and stay there for all eternity.
The End Result
The Bold is unequivocally the best piece of hardware that RIM has ever put out. The Curve and Pearl series drew the attention of the masses while the 8800 series was the device of choice for the suits, but the Bold clearly appeals to both. It’s a more polished and refined BlackBerry than we’re used to. Is it perfect? No. If you’re looking for an app experience comparably to Android or even the iPhone then you’re going to want to wait until next year. But if you just want the latest BlackBerry then this is the one to get.
Sorry, T-Mobile users, but you’re going to have to settle for the Javelin aka Curve 2 or fork over the $550 to get one with no commitment and have it unlocked.
The Bold is available now for $300 with a 2-year contract and MIR.
I’d get that phone; if I was a BlackBerry user…Although I am tempted to become one.
Hi , How are you going , does any one know how to get the GPS to work , and where to down load . i have looked and tried various sites , butt unable Cheers
Peter
Blackberry bold is a cool smartphone.but I personally more interested in blackberry storm.
The review steers so much back and forth between “clearly, this phone is lacking the best device features” and “it’s blackberry heaven, and everyone should appreciate it” it makes my head spin.
I mean, it’s okay to say in your review “if you are a blackberry user jealous of other smartphones, buy this, it’s rad”. But, if you’re trying to convince anyone else to pocket-switch their iPhone, you have to come with better than you did… In particular, the no-wifi calling, lame-ass store, and no edge step-down are really really killing cons that got swept under the rug.
I guess I’m just cheesed that this is not a “good objective review”, and is more of a “dear diary, my blackberry got better”. :/ Not saying that’s not becoming par for the course, though.
I’m not trying to convince anyone of switching from the iPhone. I make no direct comparisons other than the browser to the iPhone. The no Wi-Fi calling is a carrier issue and not a BlackBerry issue. Sure, you can’t switch to EDGE, but the battery life is way better than it is on the iPhone.
What exactly is it that you have a problem with?
Ya it was a pretty good review {seesmic_video:{”url_thumbnail”:{”value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/rk3eJQesDv_th1.jpg”}”title”:{”value”:”Ya it was a pretty good review ”}”videoUri”:{”value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/rglvqIxsK5″}}}
There have been reports that the screen scratches very easily. Any problems on your end?
I’ve kept mine in its case, EJB. It wouldn’t surprise me, though. I’d invest in some 3M or an InvisibleShield.
This does not look like a review to me, so may limitations you have sighted and still claiming it to be a best BB phone ever. Didn’t expected such biased review from CrunchGear!
“the Bold is the first BlackBerry to have GPS and Wi-Fi. I believe it’s the first BB to have Wi-Fi on the AT&T network as well.”
I have an 8800 from ATT and it has Wi-Fi and GPS.
the point was that it’s the first BB with a camera, gps and wi-fi.
I want to buy a Bold and use it on T-Mobile. Is anyone really having success? What will work and what won’t? I know you have to have the phone unlocked how is the best way of doing this?
I’d check out these GSMPhoneSource, Larry.
I am from north of the border and had BB bold for couple of month now and just thought I will let you know that all the google applications work fine on my device including google sync.
I can’t get them to download, Roman. Only Google Maps work on mine. Gmail fails to launch. No clue what’s going on.
set application permissions to allow for google…
And you missed the main question on everyones mind… Well at least mine, How does it compare vs. Iphone?
It’s not meant to compete with the iPhone!
Just find we can get this phone for $50 less for just $249.99 through DealDigs. They are currently providing $50 instant cash back on this phone. I bought a Samsung A117 last week from them, and the $20 instant cash back even before I get my phone. Many members from Fatwallet have got their cash back from this site without any problem. Below is the direct link:
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Cool - this phone is WrapMail compatible.
I have to be honest….this thing looks a lot better than my AT&T Tilt. Also, this is the best looking BB I have seen yet.
http://www.livbit.com
Looks like a bigger version of the Nokia E71 :-) Well done BB and you expect people to pay for email as well, while on the Nokia it is all free :-) Yeah! USA USA :-)
I use two websites associated with my work that require flash player. The BB7100i is what I first started using and liked it but I could not access these sites. I went to the MotoQ with no luck and even had trouble with email and Palm Treo works on the sites but I cannot access my email. It’s my work’s issue not the phone. I want a blackberry but I think even the Bold doesn’t have flash player according to what I have read. Is this true?
I asked the same question on http://www.BlackBerryBoldForum.com thank you for your help.
I chose iPhone over the BB Bold. I see it this way:
1. iPhone: much better browser, much better ipod, much better video player.
2. BB Bold: much better keyboard for messaging, battery you can exchange, keyboard shortcuts enhance productivity.
my comments at http://www.commentino.com/orim
I use Skype on iPhone 3G via my home wifi. Very slick. ie. Does not use my anytime minutes.
BB seems to have locked that thing down when it comes to third party apps..
RIM has come a long way but I just feel they are way behind when it comes to their OS in all areas.
iJah420 thinks RIM (even though the bold is late to market) rushed its launch. My gut tells me they are going to have all kinds of sw issues.
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Actually on the blackberry bold you CAN switch between 3G and Edge. Its in your mobile network settings, switch it to 2G and it will automatically go to EDGE.
DUMP IT…by an i phone..it dominates the corporate and personal world..Blackberry never took the time to write good software in the beginning,,now it’s customers are suffering from it, or just snow blind.. I phone will keep you happy for years..let the blackberry era end..The world would be a better place ..sorry but true
one last thing… Blackberry should of never offered internet service on their phone,,,it’s worthless…spend 10 mins with an I phone, your blackberry bold or any other model you own will wanna make its way to the bottom of the trash can. hope this helps..just don’t like to see innocent people get stuck buying bad products..