BlackBerry Bold 9700 Review: Part 2
Yes, yes y’all. We’re back with Act 2. Following up on the much-loved BlackBerry 9700 Review: Part 1, we’re here to go over the T-Mobile version of the handset. We’ll give you another look at it, and clarify anything that might have changed between our previous not-final unit and what we have now (which is what you’ll be getting in stores). And of course give you some awesome pictures to drool over. After the jump, fine friends, is where the goodies are at!
Hardware changes
While not much has changed hardware-wise from a larger viewpoint, there are a couple things we’ve noticed. First off, if you look at the keyboard and the trackpad specifically, you’ll see a very small piece of plastic that’s connecting the back and menu keys. This actually broke in half on our pre-release BlackBerry 9700, and while it hasn’t affected its use, it got us a little concerned about the build quality. We haven’t confirmed whether the retail Bold 9700s use different parts or not, and we haven’t heard of this happening to anyone else, but it’s just something to look out for.
As far as the processor is concerned, we reported that the Bold 9700 was sporting an 800MHz capable CPU. RIM’s official specs say it’s a 624MHz processor, but we think it might be a newer model than what the original Bold had. It’s also quite possible it’s under-clocked as well. We’ll try and clarify this and report back. Regardless of the actual CPU specifications on the 9700 though, one thing is certain: it’s the fastest damn BlackBerry we’ve ever used. There unfortunately is no internal memory as there was on the previous Bold, and while we believe it’s carrier dependent, the T-Mobile unit ships with a 2GB microSD card.
One last thing about the hardware… honestly not a big deal, but since we’re comparing the retail unit to the other unit we had, Michael and I both noticed that the lock and mute keys are very easy to press on the retail unit. And that’s not for the best as we both accidentally lock / put our Bold 9700s in a mute coma from time to time. Again, not the end of the world, just a change from our other unit.
OS changes
OS 5.0 is finally ready to rock. The much-needed upgrade tries to bandage RIM’s aging yet nicely skinned operating system, and it seems to do a good job of it on the top layer. While dumb things like gradients, sounds for events, and other little UI improvements may look stupid on paper (read: they are), hey, us BlackBerry folk have to take all that we can get. And even though that’s not a lot, it’s still something to slightly freshen up this beast. Something we’ve noticed in the version on the 9700 is that marking messages as read takes a long, long time. This was an issue on a couple beta OS builds for the 9700, so it’s surprising to see it on a production OS. Not a show stopper, but something annoying if you mark message read fairly frequently like I do.
Keyboard changes
Oh those pesky QWERTY keyboards. Some are too small, some are too big, some are spaced too close, some have incorrect layouts — is there a perfect keyboard in existence? Well, if there’s one to be found, we’re pretty sure it is on the BlackBerry Bold 9700. A beautiful blend of the original Bold keyboard with the Tour’s keyboard, it really provides a great typing experience. Keys click but aren’t clackity, there’s enough spacing to allow a definition between keys yet it isn’t boat-sized like its older brother — and it just feels damn good to type on.
Phone changes
Using the phone as an actual phone is still really pleasurable. Calls are very clear, volume is great, and BlackBerry smartphones in general just rock as phones. There’s no fuss, you dial a number and make your call. We’re used to AT&T, but to be honest we couldn’t tell the difference between the two. This T-Mobile unit is solid and we experienced no dropped calls even in fringe areas, and 3G service was great.
Battery changes
This isn’t going to be fair because of T-Mobile’s global meltdown yesterday–the day when we were really pushing the 9700 to the floor– so, well, you know, it didn’t work. We were on SOS for the better part of a day, but Wi-Fi did stay connected to the outside world thankfully. Unfortunately however, Wi-Fi kind of ransacked our battery. The good news is that even with Wi-Fi on and connected for 12 hours straight with constant email usage, BlackBerry Messenger usage, and very light browsing, we still had around 25% of battery left at the end of the day. It’s great, and we’re really happy that RIM has further improved their battery life while making a device faster and smaller. We weren’t kidding when we said average usage is about double compared to the original Bold, and it looks to stay that way in the retail release.
Conclusion
You know, it’s sort of like clockwork. Once every six months we proclaim the latest BlackBerry to be the best BlackBerry ever. Well, we hate to disappoint you, but it doesn’t look like we’re stopping that tradition anytime soon. The BlackBerry Bold 9700, for whatever network it’s powered by, is the finest BlackBerry to date. From the gorgeous screen to the perfect keyboard, to the pocketable size and swift processor, the Bold 9700 seems like it can do almost anything you throw at it. With 256MB of RAM, you’ve got a little more room for applications and data, and the device doesn’t ever seem to get bogged down. We have never even gotten a spinning clock (yet). It’s that solid.
The BlackBerry platform has its advantages and disadvantages (what, we’re not vocal enough about it?), but if you’re an existing BlackBerry user or just don’t require a media-focused device, the Bold 9700 might be right up your alley.
Rogers, Bell, and TELUS in Canada have pretty much all started to release BlackBerry 9700 units into the wild, T-Mobile’s offering business customers a little head start, and AT&T’s looks to be near as well.
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why the down rank?
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If you know having an affair with a Blackberry is only going to give you grief down the road then you should keep your vow with your iPhone.
Although, there is no greater pleasure than PIN’ing the hell out of one.
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I kind of dislike the 9700’s back, but the rest of it is superb.
@travis: the E72 is probably better, but in the end it’s a matter of what OS you like more.
I heard that on the bright side, the battery door is damn solid. You could always get it replaced with a flat non-crappy-fake-leather back.
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E72 has accelerometer and digital compass..which is sick!
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Curve 8310 GPS but NO WIFI
Curve 8320 wifi but NO GPS
Curve 8900 wifi gps good camera but NO 3G
Tour 9630 3g gps good camera but NO WIFI
Curve 8520 wifi but NO 3G, NO GPS
Bold 9000 wifi 3g gps but Bulky with crappy camera NO AutoFocus
Bold 9700 wifi 3g gps but only 256MB internal storage and 3.6 Mbps HSDPA, No digital compass, No Radio
I may have to pick one up.
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).
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Glad to hear this. This’ll be a great upgrade from 8900, which is a great device but a 3G device was so necessary for mobile streaming, etc.
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Go to Coveroo.com
this kind of makes me want to give blackberry another try…. I guess there is always that 30 day trial period, right?
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sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
Sent via BlackBerry.
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Does it come with the leather back or no, Engadget is reporting that RIM 86′d it?
I’ve had the 9700 for two days and its really the best Blackberry to date. It hasn’t gotten bogged down and the keyboard is much better than the 8900. Its also great to be running 3G on TMobile (when they’re working).
Is it just me or did they flip the call answer button? Umm, looks like a small change to a “phone up” deal.
Good catch!! You’re right!
The hardware has me drooling, but that lousy browser – part of me wants to see the results of the new Webkit based one they’re working on. That may be quite some time away, though….
The WebKit browser will be a SIGNIFICANT enhancement to the BB platform, because of the:
1. improved, standards-compliant browsing experience.
2. HTML5, SVG, WebGL?, etc. support.
3. access to the growing number of mobile web apps (>4000 for iPhone: http://www.apple.com/webapps/).
4. access to the growing number of HTML5 sites on the internet (including Google Wave).
Plus, companies will be able to develop great HTML5 corporate apps, for their BB users, that will also work for their iPhone & Android users.
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Yes, and hopefully by summer ‘10 we can all “sport-a-bird” to all the flash-less Safari browsers.
Any hopes of a CDMA version for Verizon?
Yes, i believe it’s called the Tour 2
Beautiful.
Does anyone know if this supports HSPA 3.6 or 7.2? T-Mobile actually supports tethering on their BlackBerry’s at no extra charge. The simultaneous voice/data thing rocks.
I plan to port my 3 lines from AT&T over to T-Mobile for this. I’ve been waiting for quite a while but I think this is worth it.
errr…. at&t will be getting this same phone in a few weeks, dude. why pay the extra in act fees?
Why would you port your 3 lines over from AT&T? Not only are you going to get weaker service but AT&T is going to launch the exact same phone. I hate it when dumbasses leave a carrier just for a phone especially when most carriers get the same shit anyways. Well except for the iPhone but I’m sure that will eventually change.
I wouldn’t call UMA the “same shit”. And neither would I call an unclogged 1700 MHz band of 3G….
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Hah! I am sorry if I am being unique about this, but I remember reading the Nokia N97 review. Where BGR stated that the Symbian OS needs changes, its getting old. Well may not the exact words but implied.
I think its the same with Blackberrys now I need to see a new OS/UI not just changing the colors on the buttons or shorcuts on screens, cuz it gets boring. I have to agree ppl who love their berries still love it and I can totally see why. My manager loves his BB forcefully cuz the company gives it to him, no but avg users also like it. I used to love it, but I think I am getting tired of them now, that doesn’t mean I am not going to have one around to use it. But, I think its not fair to say it with Nokia and not to say it for Blackberry. Fact is it is the same scenario with both the companies the os needs upgrades. Regardless, those two companies have the highest market shared obviously Nokia leading the world. Let’s see if Maemo convinces me of anything. I love you Boy Genius.
Quote: “One word is where RIM fails so miserably it isn’t even imaginable: software.”
found this here:
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/06/30/what-happened-to-research-in-motion-and-where-are-they-going/
+1 I agree with your statements completely. Although I love Blackberry and my Javelin, and will probably get this phone, Maemo 5 is an amazing Linux based OS that is currently on the N900. I hope in the near future (read: tomorrow) that RIM takes a good look at the Android and Maemo OS and learn something from it. All phones need to be this way….
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This is my next phone when my Bold contract ends next year. The Bold is just brilliant as it is, I am not looking for huge change , gradual refinement of a great phone is just great for me. The moaners are welcome to slope off and get their iphones, droids and pres
Good review. I knew that the next Bild was going to be awesome bu had the first Bild for a year and loved it everyday. It was a great device. As far as the UI, I never really wanted it to change. I would have been happy with a few feature changes which it seems have come with the new Bold. The browsing experience tonme isn’t thatvbad. Sure the new webkit browser will be great, but for me, I only go to the same dozen mobile sites anyway. I never had any issues. I would disagree with one statement. I don’t thinkbit is the best BB out. I believe the Storm 2 is slightly better because it is touchscreen. Many BB fans will disagree, but that is my opinion. Great review though.
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Naperville North America
I can clearly see why you love a Bold.
I loved it for the same reasons, physical keyboard.
And, I am using an iPhone as of now. Just like you.
Beautiful device. The next generation of BB are going to need to accommodate not only the great, ever present keyboards synonymous with their name, but a larger screen – and how they’re going to combine that with pocketability is going to be an innovation Im eager to see. Challenging, for sure. The best part of BB is their keyboards.. they wasted their efforts and tarnished their reputation with the Storm/Storm2.
Will the webkit affect the HTML email too?
@HereAndNow,
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Naperville North America
Reason for the necessity of keyboard + larger screen requirement is without that, nothing can save their browsing experience. Who can browse on a <3" screen?
I just dont get this constant complaining about the BB OS being so old. It works flawlessly for everything it is designed to do. The browser needs updating for sure, but people keep expecting earth shattering eye candy additions. People, a BB is about getting stuff done and it has turned into on hell of a media player (storm 2). You want pretty, get an Iphone (which I know millions have).
I’ll be getting one as soon as ATT has them. Had my Bold for close to a year now (Nov of 2008?). I have the new OS 5.x on it and it rocks so I can’t wait for a slightly smaller version of the 9000.
I am in the same situation and I am still on the fence. My blacked out Bold running 5.0.3.314 is the best phone I’ve ever had and I’ve had a bunch. I like it way better than my work Tour. However, I am intrigued by the 3.2 camera, a stable 5.0 OS, the faster processor. Can’t wait to go play on one once ATT gets them available.