Sprint today has announced that they will be releasing both the BlackBerry Torch 9850 and BlackBerry Bold 9930 on August 21st. Just another week and you'll be able to get your hands on either of these BlackBerry 7 devices. Touchscreen fans may already be chomping at the bit to pick up the Torch 9850, while long-time BlackBerry fans will want to stick close to home with the full QWERTY of the Bold 9930. Keep reading for full details.
Press Release
BlackBerry Bold 9930 and BlackBerry Torch 9850 Available for Sprint Customers on Aug. 21
Powered by the next-generation BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry® 7, a performance-driven operating system designed to deliver the ultimate in communications, multimedia and productivity, BlackBerry® BoldTM 9930 and BlackBerry® TorchTM 9850 will go on sale in Sprint Stores, Sprint Business Sales, Telesales at 1-800-SPRINT1 and online at www.sprint.com beginning on Sunday, Aug. 21.
BlackBerry Bold 9930
BlackBerry Bold 9930 boasts the thinnest design and widest QWERTY on a BlackBerry smartphone for $249.99 (excluding taxes) with a new line or eligible pgrade and two-year service agreement.
At just 10.5mm thick, the BlackBerry Bold 9930 smartphone is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone ever. It features a 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display, the widest QWERTY keyboard available on a BlackBerry smartphone and a trackpad or easy navigation. BlackBerry Bold 9930 also offers Near Field Communications (NFC) support for a secure exchange of information between NFC-enabled devices over a very short distance.
BlackBerry Torch 9850
BlackBerry Torch9850, the first all-touch BlackBerry smartphone for Sprint customers, will cost $149.99 (excluding taxes) with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement, after $50 mail-in rebate via reward card1.
The sleek BlackBerry Torch 9850 smartphone features a spectacular, new 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display, the largest ever on a BlackBerry smartphone, and trackpad for easy navigation.
Both smarpthones feature Liquid GraphicsTM technology, a key new feature powered by BlackBerry 7 to deliver incredibly fast, smooth performance and a highly responsive touchscreen experience. They also offer 1.2GHz processors, 5MP cameras and are World Phone capable.
Key features of both BlackBerry Bold 9930 and BlackBerry Torch 9850 include:
- BlackBerry® service with access to up to 10 supported business and personal
email accounts, plus BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support for corporate
email installations
- DataViz Docs To Go® Premium suite preloaded, for editing Microsoft Word,
Excel and PowerPoint files from anywhere
- BlackBerry App WorldTM, the official app store for BlackBerry smartphones
offering customization, fun and productivity
- BlackBerry® PlaybookTM support with BlackBerry BridgeTM (Bridge is available
as a free download on BlackBerry App World)
- Augmented Reality using the built-in compass (magnetometer) to support
augmented reality applications
BlackBerry 7
BlackBerry 7 introduces a next-generation BlackBerry browser with a significantly faster, more fluid web browsing experience that is up to 40 percent faster than BlackBerry® 6 based smartphones and up to 100 percent faster than BlackBerry® 5 based smartphones2.
BlackBerry 7 also integrates BlackBerry® BalanceTM, which separates personal content from corporate content, giving users the freedom and flexibility to use the smartphone for personal email, Facebook®, Twitter®, multimedia, games and other apps, while satisfying the need for corporate data to be highly secure and manageable. BlackBerry Balance works in conjunction with BlackBerry® Enterprise server 5.0.3, which provides a number of unique IT policy controls, such as wiping only corporate data or blocking work-related content and apps from being copied or forwarded to personal contacts.
BlackBerry Bold 9930 and BlackBerry Torch 9850 require activation on one of Sprint's Everything Data plans plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint's Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge - a savings of $39.99 per month versus Verizon's comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB web or $9.99 per month versus Verizon's
450-minute plan with unlimited text and 2GB web. (Pricing excludes taxes and surcharges.)
BlackBerry Bold 9930 and BlackBerry Torch 9850 also offer World Phone capability for international travel to nearly anywhere in the world. Sprint customers have the power to make or receive phone calls in more than 200 countries and access to BlackBerry® data services, including email, apps and web browsing in nearly 155 countries. Customers can check the Sprint Worldwide Coverage and Rates page to check coverage in the specific location they plan to travel and find voice, text, and data rates. They also have the option of using a third-party SIM for international
voice and data services.
PagerRocka Aug 15, 2011 at 10:37 am
20first!
Shekeese Aug 15, 2011 at 10:40 am
AT&T...ya killing me. Lets get with the program folks!! i need my 9930!!
jeffydude05 Aug 15, 2011 at 10:40 am
9900*
jeffydude05 Aug 15, 2011 at 10:40 am
Tmobile next...or is Aug 31 too far away.
drakesaliasonline Aug 15, 2011 at 12:19 pm
I really don't feel like waiting till the 31st, I should have my Rogers one within a week.
jeffydude05 Aug 15, 2011 at 12:32 pm
I'm on At&t...I might need to get a Rogers one...
popo341 Aug 15, 2011 at 10:40 am
Ohh whoopie! Verizon is allowing online orders already. Kinda pissed! Sprint do the same and allow online oreders now please.
x I'm tc Aug 15, 2011 at 10:40 am
Are they world phones?
jeffydude05 Aug 15, 2011 at 10:44 am
Did you read the last paragraph?
popo341 Aug 15, 2011 at 10:45 am
Haha!
guerllamo7 Aug 15, 2011 at 11:34 am
From the article
BlackBerry Bold 9930 and BlackBerry Torch 9850 also offer World Phone capability for international travel to nearly anywhere in the world. Sprint customers have the power to make or receive phone calls in more than 200 countries and access to BlackBerry® data services, including email, apps and web browsing in nearly 155 countries.
So that makes it a Yes.
Sorry iPhone on Verizon or Sprint not a world phone. No NFC, No Keyboard, No BB type short cut capability, No BB standard e-mail or messaging, no chance to have spare battery, no SD card upgradability, No Free Docs to Go Premium Edition, but hey Steve Jobs says you are cool if you have it and you can get 100k fart apps. Sorry about the rant but how can you compare this beauty to that stupid toy which consumer reports said not to buy because it drops your calls! O.K. I'm really done now. Hope I did answer your question though. Bye.
Deltaflyer Aug 15, 2011 at 11:56 am
I can compare because I need a $250 phone that does more than email and phone calls.
guerllamo7 Aug 15, 2011 at 12:28 pm
I apologize for the rant. I love this phone and got carried away. The iPhone and many droids are great devices. To each his own.
Point taken. There can and should be more than one or two choices in a free market.
popo341 Aug 15, 2011 at 10:42 am
So technically Sprint will offer the Bold in stores first, who cares! I want my phone now!
sashas Aug 15, 2011 at 10:49 am
+1 Called Sprint and they're not taking pre-orders. Not even for Premiere customers.
popo341 Aug 15, 2011 at 11:02 am
I guess being Gold and having 11yrs means nothing.
marcosis Aug 15, 2011 at 11:48 am
That's why I left and went to Verizon. I do miss the unlimited plans though.
Shekeese Aug 15, 2011 at 10:46 am
I thought the 9930 was the world phone? Am I missing something?
Ah...9930 is world phone. Thought so.
popo341 Aug 15, 2011 at 10:47 am
Yes the last paragraph. Just sayin!
Ryan4128 Aug 15, 2011 at 10:47 am
Cmon US Cellular
the brother Aug 15, 2011 at 10:50 am
Sprint exclusive? COOL!
tliolos Aug 15, 2011 at 10:56 am
Spring exclusive in the US for 4 days?!?!?!
popo341 Aug 15, 2011 at 11:06 am
Ya not so exclusive only a four day window. Plus exclusive means nothing when Verizon is selling them online already. Wtf
sj-performance Aug 15, 2011 at 11:00 am
finally! this Sunday ill be in store to get it =]
mz. yaya Aug 15, 2011 at 11:29 am
Me too! Can't wait!!
popo341 Aug 15, 2011 at 11:04 am
Did anyone else read Verizon is selling them online right now.
brewkelyn Aug 15, 2011 at 11:08 am
Well at least I'll get to play with these 2 babies in store soon...
C'mon T-mobile!
johnmarki Aug 15, 2011 at 11:08 am
Phew....I was getting a little worried about the release date.
YahyaRivero Aug 15, 2011 at 11:11 am
Yes!! Can't wait!! Porting back to Sprint, bye Metro PCS!!!
Draconianfire83 Aug 15, 2011 at 11:29 am
WOOO HOOO!!!!! My wife and I will be first in line on Sunday!
mz. yaya Aug 15, 2011 at 11:38 am
Not if I beat you there ;0)
jeepdude2 Aug 15, 2011 at 11:34 am
Are they only 3G on Sprint?
Abrante Aug 15, 2011 at 11:48 am
4G, The article mentions a $10 premium add-on which is their charge for having a 4G capable phone.
FYI: Read the article before login in to ask a question that is already answered in the post or by another member, it'll save you some time :o), Just saying!
TheSaltyLime Aug 15, 2011 at 11:53 am
the 10 dollar premium data has nothing to do with 4g. It is on all smart phone plans now.
camera531 Aug 15, 2011 at 11:54 am
Sorry Jack, (or Abrante), but Sprint charges a $10 data premium now for everyone, for some UNKNOWN reason! But, the bottom line is that the BB's on Sprint are 3G.
stackberry369 Aug 15, 2011 at 12:01 pm
If you currently own an os 6 phone and got it before the fee,you are safe but if you upgrade to the bold/torch/curve os7 phones you will pay the fee.I have the 9330 I will only get charged if I upgrade to the newer bb's.
Abrante Aug 15, 2011 at 12:07 pm
You guys are right, I apologize.
stackberry369 Aug 15, 2011 at 11:37 am
Have liquid graphics?
sj-performance Aug 15, 2011 at 11:41 am
so Sprint will be 1st USA carrier to have 2 have latest OS 7.0 devices...way 2 go Sprint!!!!!
pkcable Aug 15, 2011 at 11:46 am
Sounds like Sprint will be the first out the door with the 9850/60 Torch! :)
Ronzdaname Aug 15, 2011 at 11:56 am
I'm on AT&T but can't upgrade until next year, so I'm not really pressed about it. Just want to be able to test drive them to see which one I want.
shanij804 Aug 15, 2011 at 12:13 pm
i really need this phone! how much will this device cost me with a 1 yr upgrade ($75 off on my upgrade)?
mz. yaya Aug 15, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I'm just taking a stab at this but if the non-contract price is 499.99 - 75.00 = 424.99...
sj-performance Aug 15, 2011 at 12:43 pm
i looked into this...the $75 off is still for 2 year contract...if you go 1 year its $25.00...you only get the full discount every 2 years or so...$150.00...i was figuring $75 off for 1 year not bad...but 2 years no way! i rather just pay full price and save my upgrade for future qnx blackberry...check online or call sprint and see for yourself...
imrank128 Aug 15, 2011 at 12:51 pm
I think he means signing a new two year contract AFTER only one year into your previous contract. So you get 75 dollars off instead of 150.
Personally, I think its better to just wait for the full 150 before signing a new contract.
w2sjw Aug 15, 2011 at 4:24 pm
God forgive me for bragging, but I am getting $150 off on both my lines (my wife's 9650 & my 9650) after only getting those last May (first day they dropped) because I'm an 11-year Premier Gold customer, along with my corporate employee discount.
$99 is just too sweet to pass up!
jasonjsimon Aug 15, 2011 at 12:40 pm
"BlackBerry Bold 9930 and BlackBerry Torch 9850 require activation on one of Sprint's Everything Data plans plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones."
Okay, I'm not on a Everything plan, but on my old plan I have a $40 Blackberry data monthly fee in addition to my monthly plan for BES. Is there an additional BES charge on the Everything plans?
mz. yaya Aug 15, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Oooo I forgot about the new $10 Premium Data add-on in which I am not being charged because I have the 8530 and currently on the 69.99 plan...!! So the only way to avoid being charged this fee would be to buy it outright? (499.99)?
Hmmmm...
I have some decisions to make...
lilituc Aug 15, 2011 at 2:17 pm
I don't think you can avoid the $10 fee, period.
jasonjsimon Aug 15, 2011 at 2:52 pm
My question is about the BES data plan that I've been stuck with for years... If I switch to an everything plan, does that charge go away?
my.usernamegoeshere Aug 15, 2011 at 5:09 pm
@jasonjsimon
No, that charge won't go away.
The everything plans include BIS ONLY, for up to 10 email accounts.
Your BES data plan add-on is a separate charge of $20.00 per month.
jasonjsimon Aug 16, 2011 at 12:30 am
Ouch. So I have to pay $70 for an Everything plan with data, an extra $10 for the smart phone, and another $20 for BES? All these extra charges remind me of all the fees on my landline many years ago - except these are higher.
imrank128 Aug 15, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Is it possible that the battery issues are only on the 9900 and not the 9930?? I'm curious to see how that plays out. It sounds like some kind of software bug since some people are having great battery life on the same hardware.
dadathepanda Aug 15, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Sprint csr still deny existence of a official release memo
El Platanero Aug 15, 2011 at 12:53 pm
I'm going to replace my Style (don't laugh). Anybody know if the 9930 will be able to tether because the 9670 was not able to.
El Platanero Aug 15, 2011 at 12:53 pm
I'm going to replace my Style (don't laugh). Anybody know if the 9930 will be able to tether because the 9670 was not able to.
lilituc Aug 15, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Huh? I had a Style for eight months and no problems tethering.
El Platanero Aug 15, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Do you mean bridging or tethering....and I mean to the playbook not a laptop. I know you can get the app to work any of the Blackberries to a laptop but I was trying to use it with my playbook.
Cohibaluvr Aug 15, 2011 at 1:28 pm
YEAH!!!! GOOD BYE Tour! It's been great, but you gots to go! Come here 9930!
PlaybookFanatic Aug 15, 2011 at 1:32 pm
RIM just announced the 9810 coming out on the 21st for AT&T...I don't think folks really care though lol
scottae316 Aug 15, 2011 at 2:15 pm
I do
ilikebacon Aug 15, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Just had two cavities filled and a tooth extracted, mouth is numb as hell, still in the dentists chair, posting on crackberry...BOOYAH!!!!!
ilikebacon Aug 15, 2011 at 5:25 pm
I wonder when the 9950 is coming to Verizon, I want to be able to play with both of them before deciding which one I want (probably the Bold). Doesn't really matter though, cuz I won't be able to early upgrade til at least November.
Glad you sprint people get both phones at once though :)
rkopsie Aug 17, 2011 at 10:13 am
Me too I want the Verizon 9850 :(
bravest1 Aug 15, 2011 at 5:51 pm
For Those Of You Trying to get your hands on a Blackberry Bold Touch 9930 , and are not having any luck pre-ordering online , check with your local Sprint Store , I just reserved mine by buying a $50 gift card to hold my 9930 till sunday when it comes out ... Gotta do what ya gotta do to get what ya want in this world ... Good Luck Everyone !!!
delvi06#cb Aug 15, 2011 at 6:19 pm
waaahh i dont wanna pay $250 when all 4g phones on sprint are $200 down !!!!!!!! Damn you 9930 for being so sexyy !
dsj3 Aug 15, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Awesome. Some of my friends are trying to get me to wait for the October release of the Sprint iphone 5, but I am a Blackberry man. Does anyone know how we will be able to reboot a Blackberry Torch 9850 without taking the battery out? That's a great question isn't it?
Marvin-13 Aug 16, 2011 at 12:34 am
hmm...my 30-day phone change thing with sprint ends a couple days after these two are released. so, should i get the bold or the torch? ....or should i just stick with my evo 3d? if i do switch to blackberry again, why is the bold 100 dollars more than the torch? it's just because the keyboard and touchscreen combo right? (besides the little details like nfc and more storage)?
latingeo Aug 16, 2011 at 10:59 am
Thats funny I just got off the phone with Sprint and they haven't put out a press release....??????
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