Comments on: BlackBerry 9630 Review: Part 1

By: lagged

lagged — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:25:53 +0000

Had the tour for 2 weeks and it already rebooting it self for 6 times. Each time it reboots it took 5 minutes. Always happen during calls. I hate it, sometimes it hangs and no reception at all. Please consider not buying.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:46:47 +0000

I have the Tour for Sprint and I think that it is a great phone. My call quality is good and I love the keyboard. My only problem is figuring out why the internet goes down when I have service. I have only had it for 2 days so I am still figuring some things out.

By: LarryMcJ

LarryMcJ — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:06:47 +0000

As much as I wanted this phone, I won’t upgrade from the 8330 because of the call quality. I don’t give a hoot what BGR says about, go to a VZW store and test it yourself! I left voice mails with it and my 8330 Curve on my home line and the Tour’s audio quality was horrible. To confirm this I called several people and asked them the rate the two calls…hands down the Tour lost.

Next is ear speaker volume. To say the Tour is best here is also pure hogwash! Go compare again for yourself…the 8330 Curve earpiece volume is WAY higher at the max setting.

I’m on the best network in the world and I have to have a phone I can use to communicate with (read call quality on both ends). Everything else about the Tour is awesome, but what I’ve said about call quality is gospel…it’s just plain bad.

By: God

God — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:28:50 +0000

I don’t really care for wifi but everyone who does should go to
http://www.verizonwirelesssurvey.com

give them a zero and tell them you want wifi on your phones

By: Nevarro

Nevarro — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:19:11 +0000

What exactly does the Tour offer over the Storm? It lacks Wifi, has a smaller screen, and runs the same bug-ridden OS. Exactly how is the Tour superior to the storm – I’m not being critical, I’m honestly confused…is it the keyboard? It seems to me giving up that huge screen is not made up by that tiny keyboard.

By: John Salerno

John Salerno — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:05:35 +0000

I take that back… you are correct.

By: John Salerno

John Salerno — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:16:31 +0000

@Joe Kingsley

Then why would you say “the Tour will be released on AT&T after Verizon and Sprint”?

Whatever.

By: Joe Kingsley

Joe Kingsley — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:11:10 +0000

I was told the release name was not Magnum, but Twister.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:39:08 +0000

@ Joe Kingsley
The info your source provided is inaccurate. The model you’re talking about will be called the BB Magnum. The Tour is for CDMA carriers.

Its just like the Storm and Thunder. The Storm is for CDMA and the Thunder is for GSM.

By: John Salerno

John Salerno — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:36:10 +0000

Uh huh, yeah I believe you. Really, I do.

By: Joe Kingsley

Joe Kingsley — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:25:37 +0000

From a reliable source at AT&T, the Tour will be released on AT&T after Verizon and Sprint with a touch screen capability and WiFi, making it a mini storm.

By: John Salerno

John Salerno — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:55:44 +0000

Agreed!!!

By: John Salerno

John Salerno — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:53:06 +0000

My god, could this reviewer be any more of a Verizon fanboy? Seems like every paragraph has a mention of how much of the “best network” it is.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:11:48 +0000

Does anyone have any kinda of specs about the speaker on the Tour, and if it will be loud like that of the Bold/Storm?

By: Eriç

Eriç — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:53:44 +0000

@David. That is true, but Bluetooth 3.0, uses the 802.11 wi-fi protocol in order to support the higher speeds. So as opposed to 2-4mbps on 2.0, 3.0 has the potential to hit up to 24mbps. So go figure.

By: David

David — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:10:56 +0000

I agree that screen does look pretty suspicious

By: David

David — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:08:55 +0000

Verizon requires that all smartphone users have a data plan regardless if they want it or not. So your theory doesn’t make any sense. There must be some other reason…

By: Eriç

Eriç — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 07:31:39 +0000

Well after reading some info about bluetooth 3.0 there actually is a need for wi-fi on this bb.

By: EDMOND DANTES

EDMOND DANTES — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:34:38 +0000

Suppose I am in Europe,let’s say in Sweeden or Hungary. Can I change my Verizon SIM card with a local SIM card and use the phone in these — and other — countries?

It’s what I do these days with my 10 years old Motorola 8890 cell.

If I can not do that much with the Tour, I see no point in buying it.

Thanks.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:51:39 +0000

Well in regards to the Wi-Fi deal, I’ve had a Curve 8330 for 7 months now, and I have gotten used to not having Wi-Fi, but that’s because I live in an area that has some of the best Sprint Network Coverage I have ever experienced.(I live in Houston, Texas). But I will admit that it would be nice to have that option for Wi-Fi. I guess CDMA carriers preach that they have such great coverage that they don’t need it, and for GSM/EDGE/HSDPA Carriers ppl say that because of the lack of coverage their phones need Wi-Fi. I’ve played around with an iPhone 3G and a Blackberry Bold in my city and the Bold gets 3G pretty much most of the time, and as many of you know the 3G for the iPhone is spotty. I think that everyone would benefit from having the option of Wi-Fi. Its not a deal breaker, but it would make this BB that much better.

By: BigKippa

BigKippa — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:17:39 +0000

This review is almost enough to make me stop coming to BGR. I come to this site to read about phones, networks, and related issues, not prison love letters to Verizon. For a URL with “Genius” in the name you think maybe you would not try to play favorites and ostracize people who don’t have a certain carrier, huge turn off BGR.

When reviewing a device try to stick to the hardware and be ambiguous when it comes to carriers. I thought you knew better, so disappointed!! Grab a napkin, you have some Big Red sauce in the corner of your mouth and apparently they got it in your eyes to.

By: Dave Hughes

Dave Hughes — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:38:07 +0000

BG,

Did you have an opportunity to test the features and picture quality of the camera vs. other blackberry devices?

If so, please post your findings.

Thanks

By: kevin

kevin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:27:54 +0000

do we have any idea when this will actually be coming out for verizon?

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:40:32 +0000

How many months do you think it will be before Sprint gets the 9630?

By: J

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:38:13 +0000

@ everyone who thinks wanting WiFi on a cell phone is stupid and/or unnecessary because Verizon’s network is plenty fast, think beyond “speed” and consider another advantage of WiFi, such as the simple fact that it provides an “alternative connection” option when there’s no cell phone signal.

I have Verizon and I agree that the network speeds are great and typically suitable for most users internet needs, but I work in a HUGE building and in many areas there is no cell phone signal (regardless of the carrier). However, we do have a wireless mesh that provides a strong WiFi signal throughout the entire building, so in my case having WiFi as an option not only provides a speed advantage, but more importantly it provides a second connectivity option.

Long and short, even the best network doesn’t mean squat if you’re in the middle of a large building with no signal due to tons (literally) of concrete, bricks, metal, etc. (or whatever reason for no signal).

By: J Lifter

J Lifter — Tue, 05 May 2009 06:41:06 +0000

I have Verizon now and I use the GPS for several other apps (including Google Maps). If there is an alternate app you want to download and use I don’t think it will be blocked, but you will have to rely on that app for accuracy, etc.

By: rob

rob — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:42:40 +0000

Will Verizon allow you to use the GPS without paying a ridiculous fee for VzNav? That was my favorite component of the ATT Curve (free GPS with Google Maps) and it annoys me that VZW rips people off for something that US tax dollars pay for (GPS).

By: jim

jim — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:28:11 +0000

will the 9630 have visual voicemail i love that

By: R6

R6 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:58:40 +0000

cool

By: automan69

automan69 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:39:29 +0000

I really surpized that you haven’t said that Telus is getting this phone in June. That’s right June. I was talking to reps on the phone and at the store 2 and half weeks ago, and Telus said they are releasing the 9630 sometime in June. Love the review but how much did VZW pay you to say this. It should be about the phone minus the carrier. We all know that a working phone has to been on a carrier, so you must be on VZW testing it.I hope the gps works better then the 8330. Look forward to your next VZW/phone review.