BlackBerry Bold 9650 Officially Announced!

on 26 Apr 2010 08:30 AM

Bold 9650 Announced

Today at WES 2010 in Orlando, RIM has finally announced that the long awaited Bold 9650 will be coming to North American networks in early May. The device will support 3G and have both Wifi and an optical trackpad. As expected, the device will also be rocking a full 512 MB of flash memory, which should allow for OS 6 down to fly when it gets released down the road. No official date just yet, but we should know more in the coming weeks. Hit the jump for the full release.

Press Release

RIM Introduces the New BlackBerry Bold 9650 Smartphone

CDMA customers get a bold new choice with powerhouse 3G smartphone that offers premium features and performance together with popular keyboard and trackpad, as well as support for Wi-Fi and high-speed 3G networks around the world

Waterloo, ON - Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone - the latest addition to the BlackBerry Bold portfolio of premium smartphones. Sophisticated, powerful and feature-rich, the BlackBerry Bold 9650 is a global smartphone for CDMA customers who want to stay connected, productive and entertained.

"The new BlackBerry Bold 9650 is an extraordinary smartphone that we think customers will love," said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. "Whether at work or at play, the new BlackBerry Bold 9650 offers a truly impressive communications, multimedia and connectivity experience."

The BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone supports 3G (EVDO) networks in North America and (HSPA/UMTS) abroad and has a full-QWERTY keyboard, optical trackpad and built-in Wi-Fi® (802.11 b/g), which makes it possible to talk on the phone while browsing the web or sending and receiving email. The BlackBerry Bold 9650 also includes 512 MB Flash memory and an expandable memory card slot that supports up to 32 GB microSDHC cards, with a 2 GB card included.

The BlackBerry Bold 9650 fuses form and function in a striking design and, in addition to providing premium phone and multimedia features, it of course delivers the industry's leading mobile solution for email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking.

Other key features of the BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone include:

Stylish design (4.4" x 2.4" x .56" and 4.8 oz.) with glossy black finish and chrome highlights
Large (2.44") high-resolution display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi), able to display pictures, videos and web pages with impressive contrast and detail
3.2 MP camera with flash, variable zoom, image stabilization, autofocus and video recording
Advanced media player for videos, pictures and music, a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and support for the Bluetooth® Stereo Audio Profile (A2DP/AVCRP)
BlackBerry® Media Sync for easily syncing photos as well as iTunes® and Windows Media® Player music with the smartphone*
Easy mobile access to Facebook®, MySpace and Flickr®, as well as popular instant messaging services including BlackBerry® Messenger
Support for BlackBerry App World, featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones
Full HTML web browser, streaming audio and video via RTSP
Built-in GPS with support for geotagging, BlackBerry® Maps and other mapping applications
Premium phone features including voice activated dialing, speakerphone, and Bluetooth (2.1).
Support for high-speed EV-DO Rev. A networks in North America, as well as UMTS/HSPA (2100Mhz) and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks abroad
Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery for 5 hours of CDMA talk time

The BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone is expected to be available from carriers in the United States beginning in May. For more information visit www.blackberry.com/bold

Filed Under: News & Rumors, Devices; Tags: Bold 9650, WES 2010

92 Comments

Posted by saukrateaz Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Cant wait for it, Tour has been somewhat of a dissapointment.

Posted by jfriend33 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

ok, im gonna get yelled at for this but...

3.2 megapixel camera yet industry standard is 5 or higher! WTF!

RIM had a meeting with verizon. They knew if they had a kick ass bold like atnt's, and called it a tour 2, I would be wanting a different phone even though i just got my tour 9630 in january.

phone looks the same, not much more memory. just more memory, wifi, and trackpad. no thanks.

Posted by Pyroja Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

You're disappointed that the next iteration of a particular device is similar to the old device, but with more/improved features? What would you prefer? An entirely different phone?

In regard to the megapixel comment: Megapixels mean nothing, ESPECIALLY on a cameraphone. Whether it's 3.2, 5, or 7, the quality is the same: Garbage. If you happen to get a cameraphone that takes a decent picture, I can assure you, the megapixel count is meaningless then, too.

I s'pose they could've crammed a 5MP sensor in the 9650, but you'd just be getting 1.8 million more blurry pixels.

Posted by meho10 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Wow, I don't think a Blackberry announcement has ever been so underwhelming! Not only will this phone have a hard time competing now, but it would have had a hard time competing even a year ago. The gap between the most desirable phones on the market and Blackberry is becoming glaringly large. Disappointment comes from a real desire for Blackberry to succeed, so I am not a hater trolling the site.

Blackberry has essentially the same phones from 3 years ago, repackaged and given fancy names, but basically the same. Do you really need to give a phone a different name because of a trackpad? Where is the innovation, where is the compelling reason to choose their platform over others on the consumer side.

Blackberry had made a huge and successful push into the consumer market. What we are likely to see in the next few years is Blackberries slow retreat back into the corporate/business world only business model.

Posted by jwmax Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Have to laugh at all of you constant complainers, Both here and in all the threads below.

RIM's stock closed up today. Enough said.

Posted by avriliza Monday, Apr 26, 2010 656 days ago

You're right. Megapixels mean nothing on a cameraphone. Get a DSLR camera if you want to talk about quality pictures. LOL

Posted by miamimanu86 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

YEAH FIRST! IM BUYING THIS ONE, I'LL BE THE FIRST IN THE WHOLE USA!

Posted by saukrateaz Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

fail

Posted by Slash82 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

HAHAHA!

Posted by DavidNC Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I dont think so cuz I will be LOL :p

Posted by rugbyua9 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Not only will you be the first... but probably the only.

Posted by House_Ape Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Lets get it on Sprint ASAP.... :)

Posted by ferfious Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

not so quick, but at least there's an official date now, lol

Posted by josh13 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

But I saw it first! haha.

Posted by jaydee5799 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

One is gonna be mine!!! C'mon Big Red!!!

Posted by G.4 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

But no white????

Posted by ChicoBike Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

FINALLY!! That's all I have to say. Been waitng way to long for this

Posted by abelmb Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I'd be interested.

Posted by mjbesen310 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I am standing in line now for it! lol I cant wait!

Posted by mjbesen310 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I think its so cool we can finally talk and surf the web at the same time on this Bold!

Posted by Kennedy.L Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

is that only of a wifi connection? thats how the article made me understand it.

Posted by dreedy1 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Should be interesting to see when the carrier annocuments start coming through...I hope it's soon!

Posted by Scoot05RedSS Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I believe you will only be able to talk and surf while connected to wifi! Still a big improvement! But the ability to do it over the cdma networks is still not there! Can't wait to see one in person!

Posted by JR_Rider Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I'm mad the hardware didn't really change....I was really hoping RIM would correct the poor charger port placement on the Tour with the Bold update. Additionally I was hoping we would get the the battery of the 9700. I still think the 9700 is a better phone save the additional memory....I won't be upgrading to this. The end is near for me. I hope those who have been waiting for this are pleased with it though.....

Posted by coltsbr Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Awesome! I can't wait to get one of these from Verizon!

Posted by josearnulfo Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

It's mine

Posted by Element0f0ne Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Yay for incremental upgrades!

I own a Tour, and WiFi would be good to have, but until Webkit browser, and/or OS 6.0, I'm afraid RIM is still late the party... a trend which is disappointing to say the least.

HTC (Mainly Incredible), WinMo 7, and iPhone 4 phones are/will be nipping at the heels of Blackberry's market dominance in the coming years.

Perhaps the "slider" with a true 'designed for touch' OS 6 will be RIM's salvation in the consumer market. One can only hope, right?

Posted by JasW Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

So this is essentially a 9700 for CDMA except it has twice the memory. Wow. Groundbreaking.

Posted by mjbesen310 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Its a huge stepup from the Tour which was the only top of the line CDMA Blackberry we have here. Now the Bold 9650 compeats with the 9700 Bold with even more added specs that the 9700 doesnt even have, and the 9700 has proven already to be a one of the best Blackberrys ever made so far. Rim is doing pretty good!

Posted by JR_Rider Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Actually the 9700 is STILL better than the 9650 and the 9700 is 6 months + older.....How does that make any since RIM? The 9700 has a bigger battery, better rear door design, better charger port placement and better contact placement for the cradle charging. To me the 9650 is what the 9630 should have been when it was originally released. No way I'm extending my contract for this.....Droid Incredible is looking great right about now and if Verizon announces the iPhone for Verizon they won't be able to give these things away....Sad day for Blackberry lovers....

Posted by cali25 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Finally they announced it. Ill stick with my 9700 personally. But happy for all those Verizon customers!!!

Posted by mciriello Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

A Tour with a trackpad and WiFi...and a whole bunch of Tour users stuck in 2-year contracts who won't buy it anyway.

Posted by jakeh0 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Posted by jivy Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Can't understand how these haters can't help but to talk sh** about RIM. RIM is making positive decisions going foward. So get you a Droid,you will be back when that POS breaks first time you drop it.

Posted by dh321 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I noticed the press release says Bluetooth 2.1. With my current Tour, I have Bluetooth Version 1.1. I sync everything with my 3rd party Kenwood head unit in my vehicle. Does anything feel this will be an issue in regards to compatibility?

Posted by Brandon 8ch Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I'm gonna get my dad to get this for me

Posted by jeepzilla Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I have to say its a big let down..
For work it was the phone to have but now a days
Blackberrys are used by everyone and this is the best
they can come out with? even the 9700 is like a phone
that should have come out 5yrs ago... its always the same old same ith rim.... i might jump on the HTC Incredible,
that looks like a device that does it all...Sorry Rim
but same old same again and a 3.2mp come on!!! what is it, 1998 still?

Posted by ifhts Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Have fun with that HTC. If it lasts a year, I'd be surprised. The reason I keep buying BlackBerry devices is because they are extremely reliable. My old 2mp camera in my 8330 Curve takes better pictures than the Droid or the iPhone 3G. To be fair, the Motorola Droid is a POS inside and out, so it's not appropriate to compare any BlackBerry to anything made by Motorola.

Your argument for the camera resolution is laughable. Did your parents teach you to blindly accept everything you read on the internet and watch on TV? Do some research. It will make you a better person.

Posted by AgentScribe Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I like the number keypad in red. Very sexy and a subtle way to differentiate this phone from the 9700.

Posted by schrack3000 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Of course...the Tour has the red number keys as well. So, yes, it differentiates it from the Bold 9700. But is that a good thing when RIM is abandoning the tour, and the red keys are just one of many reminders that this is more a Tour 2 than a new Bold.

Posted by mjbesen310 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

can you let us know how much retail price is on this Bold?

Posted by tatersalad Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I've been waiting to upgrade from my 8330 to this phone for months...but it took too long, and this just shows the lack of a real substantial upgrade from RIM in the past years. I never thought I'd own anything but a BlackBerry, but I'll be in line for the HTC Droid Incredible at the end of the week.

Posted by 3G.BoldBerry Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Looks like the 9700 same phone with more ram there's no news on the processor. At last it doesn't look like the tour as first thoughts looks little bigger than the onyx if so this is going to be cool but what's the code name looks very good. Now I think rim is begining to listen to us now. That other prototype was a load of crap. The bold is back in the game not as a bloody rush phone. Ill like to hear the cpu speed upgrade thou. Cheers.

Posted by MsRandall Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I so agree with you tatersalad except for me it will be the EVO in June. I love BB so I will keep my tour 1 for my bb fix every now and then...No bold battery cover either...shame on you rim for making us wait sooo long for a tour 1.5 and renaming it a bold.

Posted by cboekhoven Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

So I went to the Blackberry website and clicked more info under the phone where you can sign up to be notified of availability and such, and the website title on the page's tab in my browser says "Bold 2 Updates". So is RIM officially going to call this the Bold 2?

And when i clicked anything for the 9700 it only said Bold and not Bold 2 so people hush before you make the 9700 claim as the Bold 2

Posted by IndePanda Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

I have a BB Tour 9630 on the Sprint network, and love it. It's such a great phone for me. I'm glad to see this upgrade hit the market. I sure wish I had that optical track pad on my Tour, but I've had absolutely no problem with my trackball, it works fine. This new Bold 9650 is every bit as good as the Bold 9700 that AT&T has, plus it has the important benefit of more in-device memory. Good for Sprint & for Verizon!

Posted by raval76 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Give me a break...this redesign and the updated Pearl is not what BB should be news releasing during its annual global conference and smart phone users want to see....show us the real deal changes at RIM.

Posted by jakeh0 Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Large (2.44") high-resolution display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi)

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA

Posted by deadhou5e Monday, Apr 26, 2010 657 days ago

Can i use the 9650 in Europe with GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA ?

yes, or ?