The Short Version: I’ve always preferred functionality over looks in my gear. But the Bold 9700 puts a sleek outer cover on a powerful processor. T-Mobile’s first 3G BlackBerry is manufactured by Research In Motion. Perhaps you were expecting something more a bit more post-worthy?
RIM’s newest release brings us BlackBerry OS v5. It has all of the standard features you’ve come to know and love, email, SMS, IM, web browsing, etc. The Bold takes all of that and serves it too you on a 624MHz processor. i would say the only weak spot is the web browser.
The Bold is 4.29″ x 2.36″ x 0.56″ and weighs in at 4.3 ounces. Size wise, it feels about the same as any other BlackBerry, but it was much lighter than I expected. The back has this interesting faux-leather cover for those of you who want to feel like you really got your money’s worth.
The control surface proved a nice improvement. RIM replaced the traditional trackball with an optical trackpad. Personally, I like this interface much better. It feel much smoother and more precise than a ball. The trackpad sits flush with the body of the phone, so it won’t get damaged or worn out nearly as often. The keyboard proved to be easy to type on as well. The keys themselves are a little small, but the sculpted edges prevent you from slipping. Other dedicated buttons include a keypad lock key and a mute key on the top, voice dialing on the left side, and a volume rocker and programmable button on the right (default to opening the camera).
The display is something to behold. Not only can you watch streaming video with the new and improved JavaScript and streaming protocol support, but it all looks absolutely beautiful. The quality of pictures and video playback is pretty damn good. The camera itself isn’t too shabby either. 3.2 Megapixels with image stabilization, a 2x digital zoom, and flash. The onboard mic for video recording isn’t the greatest, but that’s to be expected.
In terms of connecting to the outside world, the Bold has not only 3G and Wi-Fi capability, but UMA support. Meaning you can make calls over a wireless network, without using your plan minutes.
T-Mobile hasn’t given us a firm release date. But you can expect it in time for the holidays for $199.99 with a two-year contract.
Technical Specs
- Memory: 256MB of internal flash memory, with a microSD card slot
- Battery Life: Talktime – 6 hours Standby Time – 19 days
- Display: 480 x 360 color display, TFT LCD
- Camera: 3.2 MP camera with 2X zoom, flash, and video
- Optical Trackpad
- Keyboard: Full QWERTY keyboard, backlit
- Bluetooth: v2.1
- Headset Jack: 3.5mm stereo headset
- Media Player Supported Audio: 3GP, MP3, WMA9/WMA9 Pro/WMA 10, MIDI, AMR-NB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+
- Supported Video: DivX 4, DivX 5/6 partially supported, XviD partially supported, H.263, H.264, WMV3, MPEG4, Sorenson Spark and On2 VP6 (Flash support)
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g (w/ UMA support)
- GPS: photo geotagging capability
- BlackBerry OS: v5.0
Many people are switching from blackberry to the iphone. This is simply because of poor software design by blackberry.
Many people who switched from blackberry to the iphone are on the cusp of switching back. iPhone’s email support is marginal.
Mod parent up! ;)
But seriously, they’re for two completely different markets. Yes, they’re both fruits, but one is an apple, the other is an orange.
I have to agree with Mikey. There are two different markets. I noticed most people in my surrounding who have a Blackberry, mainly have it cause the majority of their friends one and it’’s easier (and cheaper) to communicate. These are people who aren’t really into the mobile optimized websites, mobile games and countless apps. But for the social aspect of keeping in touch.
The iPhone crowd (I’m one of them) is looking for the all in one deal and are more active in terms of mobile internet. Most people I see using it want to have music on the fly, being able to watch videos, play games.
I had the original iphone then upgraded to the 3G. Yesterday I picked up the Bold 9700 and couldn’t be happier that i switched.
At Rockabilly Radio some Nokia Phones are able to recieve our streams, not so with the Sony ericson 702 that I have. My requirement would be to have a phone capable of recieving MP3u Audio streams or Real Player to enable listening, Our station would then be able to be listened to by me either on the move or at diferent locations.
I would also want Satnav functionality and Maps.
My Contract is with Orange and this becomes renewable in mid February, so when all the tech problems are sorted (While they hold this back from Sale to investingate Software Niggles reported by customers of this phone) it may be ready for Christmas if not next Feb.
I don’t see any Ericson phone that can provide me with the facilities and options I’m looking for as yet, maybe one will come up in 2010.
Tthe bold 9700 didn’t get a great review from the WSJ… It’s due Nov. 27th, according to Wall Street Journal’s Katie Boehret, in this video review http://macspotlight.blogspot.com/2009/11/wall-street-journal-blackberry-bold.html
She wasn’t too shy with the review she ended of by saying “But since many of the Bold 9700’s features are about the same as less-expensive BlackBerrys, it’s worth considering the Tour and Curve 8900 before you spend $200 on a device that no longer lives up to its bold name.”
It’s shocking Wall Street Journal slammed the 9700 considering it’s probably the most advanced blackberry made to date. It takes some getting used to and it’s not as big, but none of these are really dramatic drawbacks. Even the trackpad’s strangeness wears off after a while.