BlackBerry Bold 9790 gets caught in another round of photos

By Bla1ze on 1 Nov 2011 04:42 pm

Seems as though the BlackBerry Bold 9790 just can't stay under the covers. It has been blurry-cammed, shot in high-res and even outed by RIM themselves in the past and yet -- we're getting another look at the device. This time around a close up of not only the front but of the back of the device as well. Nothing appears to of have changed since we last saw the BlackBerry Bold 9790. It still has those buttons the people either love or hate. Needless to say; this thing looks ready for release or at the very least -- get an official announcement of its existence. Thanks, Anon!

Topics: BlackBerry Bold 9790 News & Rumors

Bla1ze 3027 (articles) 6915 (forum posts)

83 comments

houshinto#IM Nov 1, 2011 at 4:44 pm

Aside from being 1st! :)

I'm not a big fan of the separate button keys. But that's only my opinion.

Grain of salt.

Otherwise, Nice.

UnknownError507 Nov 1, 2011 at 6:46 pm

+1
The same here to, in my opinion it look clean with what it has now :D

This new separate buttons look cheap :(

rjkolo Nov 2, 2011 at 8:49 am

Yes I agree as well. It looks very cheap with the raised buttons...almost like a Curve Bold hybrid...

msrb21 Nov 3, 2011 at 12:58 am

agree, i love how they fashioned it on the 9700/9780

elgolfman Nov 1, 2011 at 8:28 pm

Ditto. Why move away from sexy integrated buttons to 1970s?

Jake Storm Nov 1, 2011 at 9:30 pm

Could be more ergonometric.

Kodaniel Nov 2, 2011 at 2:38 pm

Absolutly agree with you! Looks awfull. Please BB stop this buttons on your devices.

Jonathank Aug 13, 2012 at 7:15 pm

I Agree, However I LOVE how the keyboard flows off the side of the phone

howl078 Nov 1, 2011 at 4:56 pm

Kind of getting used to the raised buttons

Blackberry_boffin Nov 1, 2011 at 5:02 pm

Me too. Proof that if you throw enough mud it sticks.

diegonei Nov 1, 2011 at 5:31 pm

Either that or there were some tweaks to the looks of the new Bold. But I agree, it does not look as bas as it did the first time I saw it.

J_R_TheMotorMan Nov 1, 2011 at 7:59 pm

Indeed there were some tweaks. I first saw the 9790 and it looked like My 9780 with a touchscreen added on. I have a 9930 now and that 9790 shown above has the exact same keyboard in addition to the raised buttons.

Phill_UK Nov 1, 2011 at 8:04 pm

Don't be fooled by the pictures... the 9790 keypad looks and feels NOTHING like the one on the 9900/9930.

howl078 Nov 1, 2011 at 4:47 pm

Kind of getting used to the raised buttons

Robert22 Nov 1, 2011 at 4:48 pm

OMG, they really put the ugly buttons on it!!!

dookieball87 Nov 1, 2011 at 4:50 pm

How come they get pictures of this phone but the QNX Colt has no pictures yet??? ANXIOUS!

Dave79 Nov 1, 2011 at 5:00 pm

Maybe because the BBX phone are still just in the mind of MikeL and will be released in 2015 (late in the last quarter).

Pearl9100 Nov 1, 2011 at 5:13 pm

+100000000

spot on! Everyone keeps thinking that QNX phones will be out next year. smh. It's like no one ever learns from history or RIM's track record. I love blackberry, but I am not delusional about the timeline.

Silvius Nov 1, 2011 at 4:54 pm

Am I the first to notice it has the same JM1 1230 mAh battery like the 99xx series ?

diego.roscetti Nov 1, 2011 at 4:56 pm

I guess that means the same type of battery life as the Bold 99XX. Much different than the 97XX series, that's for sure

Phill_UK Nov 1, 2011 at 7:38 pm

Nope, it's not too bad actually. With it's smaller and lower resolution screen, battery life is much better than the 9900... and almost on par with the 9780.

EchoTango Nov 1, 2011 at 5:02 pm

Do I see an NFC antennae under that battery door ?

lengend Nov 1, 2011 at 5:03 pm

I believe so.

sk8er_tor Nov 1, 2011 at 10:24 pm

RIM said that all new phones they will release going forward will have NFC support.

BBMale Nov 1, 2011 at 5:02 pm

The more i look at it, the more the design catches me. If i can say it this way. It looks, like the buttons were a must because of the display shield, which gets up from the top (looks curved there...nice!) until down to the keyboard. As this thing should get a touch device, i think, this is a nice way of implementing it and therefore the keys must have been separated and raised up from the surface. Ok, the buttons look a bit oldshool, but thats ok.

As i said, the more moments i look at it, the more i want to get it. I think it is a well choice, if you are used to the form factor of 9700 or 9780 and cant get used to the size of the 9900.

RevyRah Nov 3, 2011 at 1:38 am

I've been a fan of the new look of the device from day one. This picture does it even more justice. The entire phone design looks sleek and they made the best use of every bit of real estate. This WILL be my physical qwerty device, and the 9860 will be my touch.

SC457 Nov 1, 2011 at 5:03 pm

Don't like the new buttons, really happy the Bold 9900 was announced for AT&T finally!

PKPDBERRYADDICT Nov 1, 2011 at 5:08 pm

it is not new information:
JM1 and that it has NFC is known about the device.
When I ordered my extra battery charger bundle ( JM 1 for bold 9900 it said in the package that is works with the 9790).

buckwylder Nov 1, 2011 at 5:09 pm

phone is dope

gordongr Nov 1, 2011 at 7:04 pm

So is "dope" good or bad? I'm behind on my slang these days

Xader Nov 1, 2011 at 9:06 pm

Dope meant good in the 80s-90s. So in this case, being behind on slang would be beneficial ;)

Mallet21 Nov 1, 2011 at 5:10 pm

Wow, gaudy buttons and a plastic screen. I'm now convinced RIM couldn't find their ass with both hands.

BBMale Nov 1, 2011 at 5:20 pm

I am unsure if this should be a plastic screen. Even because its curved, this would be way more tough if it would be made of glass. Did you know or did you think of a plastic screen?

Phill_UK Nov 1, 2011 at 7:50 pm

It is plastic, but still very responsive.

kw9700 Nov 2, 2011 at 10:27 pm

I disagree. I think plastic would be tougher than glass. If you drop it, it'd be way less likely to shatter.

Liquid_Revolver Nov 2, 2011 at 1:24 pm

+10

RIM Blows lol

DramaAaron Nov 1, 2011 at 5:14 pm

Does anyone know if there's going to be a CDMA version of this for Verizon users????

miktro Nov 1, 2011 at 5:21 pm

Nice!

EgoAleSum Nov 1, 2011 at 5:26 pm

Is it just me, or does the keyboard of this 9790 really look like the (excellent) one of the 9900??

TS_Cycle_Salvage433 Nov 1, 2011 at 5:46 pm

It does look like the 99xx keyboard but it looks to me like the esges are rounded even on the keyboard. That might be an issue for people who want to put a case on it. Might be hard to put a case on it and not cover part of the outter keys.

SillyRabbit21 Nov 2, 2011 at 7:33 am

Yeah that could be a serious problem. I hope they design a proper case that can fit the 9790 without blocking the side keys from being used.

narci Nov 1, 2011 at 6:08 pm

Yeah...the curved keypad looks kinda funny. I wonder how it actually impacts typing.

Phill_UK Nov 1, 2011 at 7:35 pm

The keypad looks and feels nothing like the 9900, it's more like the 9700/9780. The far left and right side keys are very curved down towards the edges of the phone, and are a bit fiddly to press.

13david77 Nov 1, 2011 at 5:28 pm

Pretty much looks like the torch9850 and bold 9930 had a lovechild haha

freedomx20a Nov 1, 2011 at 5:31 pm

is this thinner then the current 9780?

diegonei Nov 1, 2011 at 5:40 pm

You can bet on that.

johuntbb Nov 1, 2011 at 5:43 pm

more like a curve with the "bold keyboard"

theKHMERboy Nov 1, 2011 at 5:49 pm

I like the style of it but those raised buttons I am not a fan of and don't look as nice and elegant as the bold 9900.. I am still waiting for white 9900 to come out so I can buy one

igrar#IM Nov 1, 2011 at 6:00 pm

I will buy it

EvanKr Nov 1, 2011 at 6:08 pm

Unless it runs BBX, I honestly don't care. I'm quite happy with the Bold 9900, unless it doesn't fit well in your pocket I don't see why you'd want a smaller version with a smaller display and keyboard. Just my two cents, you may have a completely different opinion.

snowindec9 Nov 1, 2011 at 6:22 pm

rim doesn't get the meaning of don't fix if it aint broken.those physical buttons already ruined the sexiness of the device.that plasticy design only works for android-and thats not a compliment for them either.

skxj Nov 1, 2011 at 6:25 pm

Buttons ? Are you serious ? Ok so now the "new" Bold is current for the 1980's sweet...............

noelsolutions Nov 1, 2011 at 6:37 pm

I am all up for the new changes to the buttons. They look great I sent my bold 9900 for a curve 9360 due to the size. One thing I couldn't stand was the menu bar style on the 9900 which is the same as the torch cheep and flimsy. The build quality between the 9900 screen and menu part also sucks big time uneven. This will be my next blackberry :-)

Lead_Express Nov 1, 2011 at 6:38 pm

I kinda like it actually. Will have to try it before deciding just like everyone else should...But I'm not sure I see the wisdom in releasing another new Bold when the 9900 is already awesome.

kelton Nov 1, 2011 at 7:00 pm

So what is it that makes this phone interesting? Is it on par with the 9900?... or an affordable compromise? (I guess I'm asking, "do we know the specs yet?")

Phill_UK Nov 1, 2011 at 7:31 pm

Specs are identical to the 9900 except for the smaller screen with lower resolution, smaller physical size/weight, and the 5MP camera with auto focus from the 9780.

FlightsimGuy Nov 1, 2011 at 7:06 pm

Did anyone see a side view of this phone? I was wondering where the charging contacts were on it. I have a charging holster for my 9780 and it would be great if it was compatible with the 9790.

Phill_UK Nov 1, 2011 at 7:26 pm

There are no charging points on the 9790. The micro USB port is on the bottom of the phone, so I guess that it will just plug into it's charging dock. The 9700/9780 dock definitely won't work with this phone.

vx1 Nov 1, 2011 at 7:17 pm

I don't know what I think about the buttons have to see it when its done .. but I am planning to get one 9790

joeberrymomma Nov 1, 2011 at 7:18 pm

Will we get our left convenience key back? How about the left and right buttons at the top? Really liked these on the 9700. 9900 lost all of this.

Life is like a cup of coffee http://bit.ly/ic8IFp

Phill_UK Nov 1, 2011 at 7:28 pm

No to both of those... Only one right convenience key, and just one central lock button at the top.

geotos Nov 1, 2011 at 7:43 pm

The keyboard is quite straight compared to the curved keyboards of the past. Would it affect typing comfort, requiring to sort of have to bend the thumbs low as you get to the letters close to the edges?

rgm#cb Nov 1, 2011 at 7:44 pm

Still ugly and looks cheap and should not be called a bold at all.

buckwylder Nov 1, 2011 at 7:50 pm

phones dope

buckwylder Nov 1, 2011 at 7:53 pm

im a huge because im fat AND really like buttons fan of gawdy jewels and gold chains

and i love these buttons, this phone is perfect

buckwylder Nov 1, 2011 at 7:54 pm

stoked on buttons

juliankueh Nov 1, 2011 at 8:26 pm

Not fan of the curved screen and keyboard so I will giving this one a miss. much prefer the 'straight forward' design of the 9900.

danceparties Nov 1, 2011 at 8:50 pm

Looking forward to this one. I like the size, the fact that it'll have the 5mp camera with auto-focus and the menu buttons dont bother me at all. Fingers crossed for an AT&T release ... soonish.

vurobega Nov 1, 2011 at 9:06 pm

Blackberry 9790 BELLAGIO launching in INDONESIA this november
check this link : http://www.kaskus.us/showthread.php?t=8918420

westex#WP Nov 1, 2011 at 9:48 pm

not a fan of the buttons, but I must admit it is a handsome device.....

derekjdech Nov 1, 2011 at 9:53 pm

oh sweet jesus, thats hideous

olblueyez Nov 1, 2011 at 10:13 pm

Why would anyone want that POJ when you could have a 9900/9930,,???

Why would RIM even waste time with that when 2.0 isn't out and the PB is swirling around the RIM of the toilet,,???

Does anyone at RIM have "Priorities" or "Foresight",,???

"Hi mister salesman, I'm cheap and I have six kids to feed but I don't want to feel out of place when I'm trying to keep up with all my 3 Series friends at work, do you have a Bold that is cheap and made of snap together plastic with buttons from an original Nintendo?"

WTH,,???

Toasterg Nov 1, 2011 at 10:36 pm

Its quite difficult to understand why they have to do such thing that could create distractions of the Bold brand (9900 is already doing right isn't it?) and take the resources away from the developemnt of other more meaningful thing...

kinghai Nov 1, 2011 at 11:20 pm

After seeing this I'm considering buying the 9900. Not sure why RIM uses those buttons to make a cheap look like this.

def1014 Nov 1, 2011 at 11:49 pm

One Bold was enough. Why does RIM insist on these meaningless releases? Stick to one QWERTY and one touch phone at a time. That may free up your resources to get your OS up to par. Better yet, get us those Playbook updates you promised us months ago. A Porsche phone, the hideous Justin Bieber clam phone? Is RIM serious? How many of those did they really sell. You can't make a phone for each and every person RIM. It is time to re-evaluate the strategy.

Joy1980 Nov 2, 2011 at 5:58 am

Only Apple gets away with having one phone design. Android, on the other hand, have different designs. One of RIM's strengths has been the fact that they have given the users choice in what device they want but still allowing them to have the BlackBerry experience.

I am actually one of the many who have liked the Bold 9900 but prefer the 9700/9780 form factor.

zensen Nov 2, 2011 at 5:39 am

the buttons look great, shame with such a similar form factor fo the 97XX they could have kept the charging contacts and allowed the current docks to work with it.

johnmarki Nov 2, 2011 at 8:30 am

meh...those buttons. Every time I see them I end up typing like 4 paragraphs as to why they are useless, and absolutely atrocious to look at, then I realize it doesn't matter, RIM doesn't care, and why should I, when I have a Bold 9930?!

raiseyanks10 Nov 2, 2011 at 10:32 am

Where the new Blackberry to replace the 8350i on the Sprint Direct Connect side, is this it?