BlackBerry Bold 9650 Now Available from Sprint

finally. but not looking to buy, wheres 9700 white?

Now I need to get one of those sexy crystal skin cases. When will they be on CB?

People waiting on this devce have just been through all kinds of dissapointment with the near-release, renaming, and memory upgrade saga. I hope its insanely fast.
So who is going to post the first hate comment?

We wait for it to drop from Verizon......not that I want one, but I know a lot of guys I work with that have been needing to upgrade badly from their 8830, hahahaha

When people in the forums swore verizon would get it first. I don't know why that matters but they made it seem like verizon had a contract with rim for all phones to come out first with them. Good job sprint.

Sprint is really gonna force Verizons' hand now to tell their users when this phone is gonna be released on their network...kudos to Sprint!

I'm not on Sprint, yes I am on VZW, but I'm not hating, I'm just happy that its FINALLY out on the streets!

Guess you can move its forum out of the "Up Coming/Rumored Devices" forums.

Just placed my upgrade order online. My son gets to upgrade from his 8330 to my 9630 when it comes in.

Placed my order.

My curiosity is getting the best of me for the EVO, I will wait until June 4 to upgrade, and if I can't get used to touchscreen, this will be my new device.
Plus, I'll have a fair amount of time to read up on people's thoughts, bugs, etc.

I waited and waited....finally decided I could wait no longer. Got an incredible.....man am I glad the bold-tour was so delayed...
Not going back to BB...

is sprint saying when you should receive new device?

I hoping that the reason its taking so long for VZW to put it out because it hasn't passed their tests yet. U know Sprint will put out anything just to try to grab as many customers as possible.

And there it is. The first true hate comment.

Hey Verizon guy, think "Storm" before you run your mouth too much. :)

I'm getting the HTC 4G EVO, this one will have to wait until after July 1 when my primary gets it's annual upgrade. :)

I don't know if you guys remember this but when the Tour originally came out Sprint did the exact same thing where you could buy online before the supposed release date(they did it to match Verizon's release date). Then the Sprint customers had to wait until Verizon's release date for their phone to be mailed because according to Sprint, "they were sold out." It was a clever marketing tool to advertise the phone being available before the said release date but the being duped part sucked for the customers. Let's just hope they're not doing the same thing this time.

Yep. I could not wait any longer, click click click- BAM - hopefully have it by Tuesday. :] Unless your right about the "sold out" then we'll just have to see.

Eh $200 for another blackberry. No thanks. I'm on the 8530 and there's not enough difference to justify the cost. Blackberry needs to cut the price of the hardware to compete.

Ordered mine! Can't wait for it to get here!

have there been any issues ordering these on line from sprint? i assume no one has been told that they are backordered yet??

Just ordered the Blackberry 9650 at 9:30am. So far so good. Now the long wait!!

I want it to have my babies.

Ordered it a few minutes ago to replace my Tour. I'm hoping the radio in the 9650 is a little more powerful and that I didn't get early adopter's screwing.

I've been waiting for this phone to come out and now I'm going to Sprint. A family plan with 5 BlackBerry data plans on Verizon is way too expensive. Sprint requires a data plan for the main line only. Why pay $150 for data on Verizon when you can pay just $30 on Sprint. I'll take the sacrifice in service. Oh and the voice plans are way better priced.

Called a few local stores, and was told they won't have it in store for a few weeks, so I ordered one. After waiting for this phone for so long (I was upgrade eligible when the Tour came out, but decided to wait for the 9650) I guess 2 more days won't hurt.

Done.....boom.....ordered. Cannot wait for UPS to deliver it this week (hopefully)!

I went ahead and pre ordered the EVO this week. I am going to miss the physical keyboard and BBM. I'll keep my 9630 just in case things don't work out with the EVO.

Processor speed anyone?

I think RIM needs to go harder than 512mb to justify ppl spending another 450 to purchase there equipment, that's just not enough, no new OS or anything, they just keep releasing the same thing over and over again with a different design

It looks like I am the first to order!!!! Can't WAIT!!!!

If you call sprint, and mention this device to them, most reps say the device isnt even available for sale! one rep said its not out yet, and to check back next week. the last one i called initially said it wasnt available, but then realized it was.

these reps are clearly not trained, nor are they informed.

i live in chicago, and I think I might wait and get the HTC Evo since it would run on the 4G there... who knows...

I just get so frustrated with my browser at times, but everything else on my phone runs great!

sorry just cant qualify with new features to replace my tour i will be sticking with the tour till the next model comes out or maybe just swap over to an evo 4 just dont know if its worth it rim should be handing these out to current tour owners for the amount of money we paid for them 9 months ago and NO wifi and crappy track balls the 83xx series had the best trackballs so here rim hope you dont go bankrupt with android kicking your butt in sales for 2010

Just picked one up, I'm excited :)

Upgrading from a 8330 Curve.

a soft touch/rubber battery cover! haha. i'll wait for a review and if its worth the upgrade from my Tour, lets just say I hope insurance can give me a 9650 instead of another 9630 back *evil laugh*

I can't believe the day has come for me to abandon my beloved Blackberry, but there it is. I currently have the 9630. I am sorry, but upgrading from the 9630 to the 9650 would be like ditching my girlfriend for her wealthier twin sister. Just can't do it. I'll try out the new EVO when it comes out. If I like it, I'll keep it. If not, there's always my Tour to fall back on. I will always have a soft spot for Blackberry; it was my first smart phone. And I'll always keep up with the news, in the hopes that RIM will come out with a new phone that will compete favorably. But the Tour left a bitter taste in my mouth, and the minor, largely insignificant updates that RIM keeps putting out cannot wash out the taste. Even with OS 5.0, my phone's profile is still jacked up, and earned me a judge's ire when it rang in court. Nope. Will not be getting the 9650.

Made my Telesales order at 11:00am EST - got a confirmation number & 2-to-5 days for shipping.

I put the order on my bill so I could get the extra 20% off I get from my employer's bonus plan (really wish I knew someone who could get me a SERO hookup!).

I upgraded both my wife's & my 8350i's - I can live without DC for the better network speeds (we've got awesome EVDO coverage here in central NJ).

After this long awaited release from Sprint ( I am currently an unhappy former Alltel now Verizon customer) they fail the first test. I went to their website and found the new BOLD but there are no Technical Specs available. A sales person contact me by chat while on the site and they could not answer my questions either. I called the phone number they gave me and no one there could answer me either. I know that Sprint has sold downgraded spec BB's before and I want to be sure they are not selling a downgraded 9650 before I buy it. They think all customers are stupid and keep giving me feature lists when I ask for Specs. I'm not laying out that kind of money before I know they are selling the full deal.

i placed my order online after the Sprint Account Specialist, reset my contract end date. i got it at $199 after MIR. ive always wanted this ever since the Tour was released in July which i got as well. i love BLACKBERRY lol

@w2sjw: You've also got the kind of governor slashing spending like we need out here on the left coast!

That said, I'm w/Big Red, so there's time to watch, learn and listen to the early adopters (fingers crossed). Sort of seesawing on this one (but between 9650 and "near future BB" vs. the Android offerings). Care less about iPhone'esque looks than I do operating reliably and efficiently. Securely also a big plus.

Something I'm curious about, however, is the software cost. I typically run a little over $200 per smartphone type to cover the functionality I demand from them. (Trust me. It's easy to do going "Premium" w/most s/w.) This factors into my TCO, and I'm not one to hold out to save on termination fees if service wanes.

Do you guys looking to jump ship (or do so on a regular basis) actually buy new s/w? Or do you typically just use the "default loaded" and/or free s/w? This isn't meant to be a dig, btw. Just curious. Good luck to all who get the 9650 (or whatever else, for that matter)!

I think I will order mine from Radio Shack in a couple weeks. I cannot justify paying $299 and then wait for the rebate, I am sure Radio Shack will have a better deal without the wait for rebate. I look forward to hearing what people say when they get theirs this week, but I will keep my money for now. But enjoy if you have 3 Benjamins plus to throw away

*Yawn!* Kudos to Sprint to release this first! Yawn for Bb to release this a couple 13, 14 months too late. The expanded memory is not enough for an upgrade. EVO coming next month!

I sure hope the BB haters now, who are going to get the EVO, love touch screen phones. I know I hate touchscreen phones now after having a storm and instinct. Bring on a Curve 8530 or Bold 9650 anyday of the week.

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=2497

This phone will be in the stores on May 23rd.

Is this my best option for a world phone on Sprint or is something better on its way out in the next three months????(I have to stay with Sprint due to other circumstances)

Help please.....

Woohoo this Baby arrives Tuesday by 10:30am. I Love Sprint!

Tracking # issued. Cost: Free with an extra $100 mail in rebate to boot! Let me say it again...I Love Sprint! I'm giving up Nextel BB and replacing with an EVO. I'll have the best of both worlds!

I haven't visited the site in a while, but word of the OS 6 made me do some more reading about upgrading my device... All in all, hours of looking at different options etc, I have to say I can not stay on the BB bandwagon much longer... The hardware is not comparable to the competition, and the programmers working for RIM always come back to "basic" design. No flare, ever. I have had BB since the side click wheel, but I think I am ready for a change.

I know I am gonna get stomped for this on this site, and I know the familiarity of the BB OS is what drives the handsets to the end users, but I just need something different. The games changed, RIM is at the tail end of software innovation and integration vs the competition. GL RIM, I would love a reason to come back...

A much loved device, speaks volumes for those who love the form factor that made it popular in the first place. But it would help to have more of a punch/bite/bark ...etc

6.0, larger screen, faster, more colors...give the people something "new" in a new phone. not something they should have had the first time. (Former 9630 owner)

Lastly I think HTC has changed the way tying on screens feel and work...the droid Incredible is lovely when typing. I am sure the EVO will be a joy at 4.3

As a former Sprint Premiere Customer I got the e mail the EVO was coming and this phone woulld not have stopped me. Welcome to 2010.

Just got off the phone w/Sprint and ordered my BB Bold 9650! It should be here in a couple days! I been awaitin this day a long time!

blackberry is constantly coming out with new phones that operate the same..... this one is the same as the 9700 for T-mo and at&t

Does anyone know if the 9650 supports OpenGL?

Hate mail in rebates! Congrats to Sprint users....your finally getting good phones.

Well I hate to say it, but after four years with blackberry, I'm going over to the Evo 4G. I currently have a Tour 9630 and can't see upgrading to a phone that is virtually the same. I did a side by side comparison on the blackberry.com site and whoomp! there it is! aside from the tracpad and more memory, it's the same thing. I'll pay the 10 bux more a month and go to an android phone that DEBE (does everything but eat) rather than spend another two years with RIM. RIM could find itself in a pickle the way android is pulling away. Just the thought of not having to pull the battery out is a beatiful thing! One can always get used to and become adept at using a touchscreen the same way I became used to typing on a mini keyboard.

I don't know if you guys remember this but when the Tour originally came out Sprint did the exact same thing where you could buy online before the supposed release date(they did it to match Verizon's release date). Then the Sprint customers had to wait until Verizon's release date for their phone to be mailed because according to Sprint, "they were sold out." It was a clever marketing tool to advertise the phone being available before the said release date but the being duped part sucked for the customers. Let's just hope they're not doing the same thing this time.http://www.electronicswholesaledistributor.com/

I'm a tour owner and this what the tour should have been, but I'm moving over to the EVO 4G :) good bye blackberry.

Unless you're coming from the 8330 or 8100 on Sprint, this is nothing spectacular. WiFi connection is not necessary and a trackpad will not make or break the device in terms of functionality. All 9630s are less than 1 year old which means any trackball issues are taken care of free of charge. (In many cases, a brand new tour 9630.)

July 1 is the 1 year anniversary date so we're fine. Its up to Sprint if they wanna keep messing around with trackball issues and swapping out devices or replace the 9630s with the 9650s.

If you've got a 9630 and want the next best thing, this is not it. Wait for the slider or whatever else that comes to Sprint.

Hey guys, I'm located in Houston, TX and I actually went into the store yesterday (one of the larger Sprint stores here which receives big shipments) and they informed me that the phone would not arrive in the store until Tuesday.

I too had an instinct, about a year ago...I was between that and the curve 8330, and I chose the instinct. What a mistake that was. Touchscreen imo sucks. The instinct SUCKED. Then I bought a curve, and I loved it. Its my first smart phone, and the bold will be my second. As for those saying that BB isnt really coming out with anything new...thats ok with me, they stick with what works, and so do I. Not bashing anyone for wanting something different, if you do, then get what you like. As for me, I am sticking with BB, it really is an addiction!

Its amazing how the just renamed the Tour, added a trackpad, and charge all the people that had issue with the trackpad another hundred dollars for the same thing!!!! If your buying this your insane

I've been very happy with the BB Tour 9630 as a mobile device. But the main feature is lacks is WiFi, which I need due to my work location. I get no cel reception but do have access to WiFi. So with the release of the Bold 9650 I ordered one yesterday (after calling the local corporate store and being told they didn't know when they would be getting them). I saw one posting that said what Sprint had done in the past, about delaying it until the actual release date after taking orders before. But I was surprised that, after placing my order at 1:30pm PST yesterday that it had shipped last night for delivery today. The latest UPS update shows it out for delivery. Very quick service I must say. I've played with the track pad on the 8350 and find that once it is set up it works quite well. So I'm hoping that there aren't too many changes in the OS for it. Now I can't wait for OS 6.....

I have my new Blackberry Bold from Sprint and it is def. a great phone

Got my 9650 today after ordering it yesterday at 1:00pm. Delivered today at 2:00pm. Not too bad, 25 hours for delivery time. I've been playing with it and must admit I like the track pad better than the one on the 8530, and better than a trackball. The WiFi set up was very smooth, and works flawlessly with my Linksys wireless router. Using the desk manager I was able to transfer all my apps and data over from my 9630 with no problems. Now it's fine tuning it, including installing the Sirius/XM satellite app so I can listen at work over the wifi.

Few differences. One, the USB port for charging/sync is offset by about 1/8 of an inch. Not that big of a deal, but the Seidio case that I have for it covers part of the opening. Also the battery cover now has the non-slip material, not smooth. It comes with a 2gb microSD card installed, only no adaptor if you want to ever use it elsewhere.

when will it come out for verizon?

I am over joyed to see they finally released this phone, sad to see the outrageous price $459, and i am due for an upgrade in june 1 2010 and they came down to 399. They owe me 100 so i told them i am willing to give them 200 towards the phone and i shall walk away happy, but trying to get them to work with me.

Got my new Bold Tuesday morning. It took me a little while to get used to no more trackball but I'm starting to like the trackpad. There area some issues with a sweaty finger though. IE, using during workouts, etc. The WiFi is the next major update. I already have connected with my home network and there is an drastic difference when using the Browser. As already mentioned in Crackberry, the charging port is a few centimeters off from the Tour. I will have to update my cases eventually as this is a problem worthy of a change unless your case is rubber. To date, I cannot download The Weather Channel or Weather Bug Apps. Don't see Sprint Software Store either but perhaps that has been replaced by Sprint Zone. Sprint Music Store is being updated and I could not download and as of the writing Sprint TV is down in many locations. Battery life seems a bit worse than the Tour probably do to WiFi running. The general operation is quicker than the Tour and having much more internal memory will make this device a keeper. Good phone. Only real complaint is this device is about a good year late. Let me know if you guys can get those weather apps to work.

I don't understand the point of this phone really. I suppose it's good for those newly adopting Blackberry or those who simply can't deal with their trackball or are in desperate need of Wi-Fi. I have a 9630 and love it, but this phone is not in my upgrade path. There is nothing significant about it to me. Now if Sprint would get the new Blackberry Slider or a new Blackberry Storm then that would be nice. I like my Blackberry 9630, but it's time to move away from the 2.5 inch screen. It's getting old. My two cents.

I got the 9650 from a Sprint store on Friday, May 21st and I love it! It is only my second BB and I cant say how much better the performace is with the trackpad over the ball. What an easy phone to use!!

I upgraded too well worth it.