I had been sitting high on my CDMA horse for years, and when I picked up my first BlackBerry, I stuck with what I knew best. At times I thought about converting to GSM, but I never really saw the need. Having the BlackBerry Bold in my possesion for a few weeks now, I'm singing a different song. It is by far the greatest device I have used, and I am absolutely in love with it. I swapped back and forth between my Tour 9630 and the Bold 9700 at first, but after a while of balancing two devices, I fully jumped ship and am now dedicated to the Bold 9700. Some may argue that it is the best device RIM has ever cranked out, and I'm inclined to agree. Our good friend Al Sacco is right there with me and listed his top 9 reasons why the Bold 9700 is what it is. Included in the list are the camera, OS and keyboard for starters. Head over to his blog at CIO.com to check out the full story, and if you haven't yet be sure to take a look at all of our Bold 9700 reviews.
- Check out Al's full article at CIO.com>>
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Reader comments
Why The BlackBerry Bold 9700 May Just Be The Best BlackBerry Yet
Soo, I just got my 9700 today after paying 9.99 for it from LetsTalk.com. Now the fact that I paid $10 alone will have me keeping the phone. I only like the camera and the extra memory. If it wasn't for those two things, as a female, id be back on my 9000. My bf has been wanting my 9000 for sometime now in addition to his iphone so ill let him use it for now. After getting this phone I would never sell my 9000: that may be one of the Greatest of All Times with RIM. Let me say this...the 9700 is an upgrade to the 8900 NOT the 9000. Its too small, too light and just feels so wrong for me to believe that I upgraded. No matter what RIM calls it, we've all been fooled. Keypad is great, got used to it qikly tho for a male, i couldn't imagine how that transition would work. I truly miss the trackball, i find myself selecting options above or below, left or right of what I meant to select, maybe that will get better in time. The vibrate on the 9700 is Superb as well as battery life. Also the trackpad is not sturdy and does tilt in all directions: IDK y tho. Current 5.0 OS with ATT seems sturdy but once they offically release one for the 9000, I cld easily see myself back on that phone. The leaked version i had put on my 9000 made it great but a huge memory leak was a problem. I hold my 9700 and 9000 when in use by having them hang by a wrist strap. As we all know, BB's stay in the hand which is why my pulling it in and out of a case just wldn't work. SO try that, both phones do have a lanyard hold FYI which was very important to me. The 9000 feels safe and solid in my hand while the 9700 feels light like it can easily fall: thank god for the wrist strap BTW. Leather back on 9700 cld have been left out: just no reason for it but whatever and I also miss the media card slot and door from the 9000. The flash and video camera light on the 9700 is VERY bright, police flash light bright just BRIGHT BTW. On the 9000 I used a size 10 font with BBCasual and now Im down to 9 on the 9700, smaller screen so the letters needed to be smaller as well. Im getting tired so, just ask if u wanna know more. Generally, stick to ur 9000 unless u need more device memory like me, atleast u'll get a nicer camera to go with it. Men...Stay Away if ur in love with ur 9000.
Because ATT and Tiny-Mobile have the capital to purchase the rights from RIM to get this phone, it is being wasted because of the weak 3G coverage both providers offer.
I will wait until Sprint or Verizon get this or the upgrade version to this phone. Otherwise it's just a great phone wasted on bad networks. It may be for you if you are in a decent coverage area and don't travel more than a 5 mile radius. Good luck with that.
still not digging the new trackpad design. I went to the T-Mobile store today to try it out just to see what I was missing. While the 3G is definitely a notable upgrade, the trackpad basically hindered anything and everything i tried to do short of just typing. navigating through menus was difficult without accidentally opening programs and folders i did not want to open. stuff would just launch unexpectedly just by swiping through the menu... maybe i was using a buggy model or something, but i'd rather go with the trackball because i've never had problems with a trackball ever. even the old trackball on my 8100 is still perfectly functional and doesnt have those problems, and im very fond of the trackball on my 8900. i like that the blackberries keep getting prettier with each new model, but the trackpad is just form over function in my opinion. thats my experience of course. maybe most people havent had that problem at all. i just know that if i cant even navigate through a menu... everything else is a moot point. that said, im sure other people have had their share of trackball problems.
I have two friends who both got 9700s when they came out.....they now tell me their missing their TRACKBALL.
Apparently unless you have super-dry hands...a slight hint of moisture and the trackpad sticks.
I am really surprised that RIM created this Bold to resemble to size of the Tour and Curve BBs when so many people appreciated the original Bold for its bigger size. I'm a Curve user, hands-down, but I feel for the Bold 9000 users; my condolences.
almost everything he reviewed about the tour already has except the trackpad! cmon dont say the bold is the best blackberry out when all it has diffrent is the track pad!
I was really worried about the 9700 being so freakin small. Wasn't sure if i would be able to type on it as fluidly as I was typing on my bold 9000. After a day or 2 I got use to the 9700's layout and I'm loving the keyboard.
The 9700 is a nice device. Best blackberry EVER? I dunno....it just may be. I've been hooked on crack(berry) since the 8710 and the 9700 is the first BB since then that's completely blown me away and made me say "HO....LEEE....SHHHIIIT"
that somebody may put one in my Christmas stocking? or i might win one in a give-a-way contest?!?!?!
Nice one!.. I'm always dreaming of the time that I'll have my own someday.. Premium White Pro
I have had a 9000 a year now, I see that some people havent, I say this because I live in the desert area of Southern California and dont have "Dropped Calls" or a "lack of 3G coverage" as some non Blackberry /Non AT&T users claim, I have had very few Dropped calls and have excellent 3G coverageout here....in the desert and have had no trackbell or memory issues.....yet. My Daughter has a 9700, great phone it feels solid and seems very well built as I would expect, the 9700's display is much smaller than the 9000 and the keyboard is very cramped, in short, for me, the phone is simply too small, I will stick with my 9000 untill I find out more about the rumored "9900", if you have a 9700 enjoy your phone, it is certanly top of the BlackBerry line. if only it was the size of the 9000.
im looking forward of the optical for the 9000 who's going to find it? lets see. lol
child please x2
I had the chance to do a litle in=hand comparison btwn the 9700 and the 9000. Here are my findings:
1. I first did a couple of app-to-app open comparisons.
Verdict -Both devices are fast,..but the 9700 is a few tics quicker.
2. I then proceded to opening a few webpages that I know I hadn't been to on my 9000.
First up, MSNBC.Com,..the 9700 really smoked the 9000. It wasn't even close by any standard.
A Fed. Credit Union site that the AT&T rep belonged too. This one was close,..prolly because the site wasn't laden with graphics,...in fact, the 9000 won this one, but not by much.
...I went to a few other sites, but can't remember them,..but, though the 9700 was faster,..it wasn't by much. I also did a "Refresh" by hitting the Back button,..the verdict,..again, the 9700 turned the page as if I had my hand on the paper myself.
That said, I'm not sure if I'll be upgrading to the 9700 for the sake of upgrading,...as I want my next smartphone to be capable of loading all of my 17+gb of music. So, unless a 32gb micro sd is released,...my next smartphone will be the iPhone 3Gs!
JMD
...Have Bold will travel~
It's also not the lightest, 8530 is slightly lighter (minor detail) Other than that and the fore mentioned (+) and (-), the phone seems like a great addition to a mediocre provider. Luckily we got the storm2 over here, but I'm giving them all (storm2)a couple months before I buy. i want that battery life though!!
below
Why doesn't RIM just go out and create a TOP OF THE LINE BlackBerry device with 512 RAM, 5 Megapixel Camera, 32 Gigabyte Storage and ultra high resolution display.
Think of this device like the Bentley of BlackBerries (Sure Bentley uses BMW motors, but that's beside the point).
I wish RIM was willing to create an ultra high line of BlackBerries for those willing to pay more for the device. RIM has pigeon holed itself by creating an entire series of smartphones that look very similar, with few distinguishing features. At least the Bold 9000 HAS a distinguishing build quality. Now it has metamorphized into the Curve 8900, the Tour and the Tour 2.
Please RIM update the next Bold to keep the same physical dimensions as the Bold 9000.
Not like I plan to buy one anytime soon.
1993 Rolls-Royce was in discussions with Mercedes-Benz on engine supply.
1994 BMW and Rolls-Royce reached an agreement for BMW to develop engines for the new line of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars.
SOURCE:
http://www.allisons.org/ll/4/Bentley/History/
Oh make my Blackberry like a Veyron!!!
I currently have the Bold 9000 running 5.0 i just tested the 9700 but was disipointed. The keyboard is cramped the screen is smaller the build isnt luxurys as the true "Bold" its a curve w pc faux leather slaped on. I wish rimm would keep the current luxury Bold look add ram upgrade the camera, trackpad and battery. Even for free im keeping my 9000.
I currently have the Bold 9000 running 5.0 i just tested the 9700 but was disipointed. The keyboard is cramped the screen is smaller the build isnt luxurys as the true "Bold" its a curve w pc faux leather slaped on. I wish rimm would keep the current luxury Bold look add ram upgrade the camera, trackpad and battery. Even for free im keeping my 9000.
I got my 9700 on release day the 16th. I have had absolutely no problems with it and coming from the 8900 there is no comparison. So far I have found evrything to like about the device and nothing to dislike. Perfect phone for me. It's fast, trackpad is smooth to operate, battery seems to last forever even with constant data use. Love my new blackberry 9700.
The author makes statements like, "The BlackBerry Bold 9700 has the highest screen resolution or pixel count of any existing BlackBerry smartphone..."
That makes me think that he's saying there is no other BB that has as high a screen resolution, which is wrong.
What he SHOULD have said was, "The BlackBerry Bold 9700 has AS HIGH A screen resolution and pixel count AS any existing BlackBerry smartphone..."
Wouldn't have sounded quite as great though, would it have? My respect for this author is low.
First of all, if you read it, he clearly states that the 9700 has the best resolution screen of any BB. Hey Al... the 8900 has the same exact screen 480 X 360! He also misses a lot of similarities to the 8900... big miss Al.
I have had my 8900 for some time... I got off AT&T and my Bold 9000 to move back to T-Mobile. I enjoy the 8900 much more then the 9000 based on size alone. The 9000 is huge compared to the newer generation of BBs. From my perspective I would not give up the 8900 just to gain 3G or a trackpad. What I would give up the 8900 for is a "slider" BB with touch screen. I have a feeling T-Mobile will be seeing that in the not to distant future.
I see nothing other than the track pad that would make this any better than the Tour unless one needs WIFI.
My assumption is that once the Tour gets a real )S 5, that battery life will be comparable.
Yes, I'm going to admit it that. While i'm stuck here with my Blackberry curve 8900 they come out with the new bold like a week later that is not cool blackberry. All well I guess it is time to save up again.
well first of all the blackberry 9700 is the very best bb has to offer i have had my 9700 for a week now and im loving it i used to own a g1 but now im happy to be in the blackberry family!!!!the only thing drawback i see is the blackberry app store should have more apps like andriod
9700 is great, but there is 1 major draw backs.
the device only support HSPDA data transaction speed up to 3.6mbps.
where as the 9550 support up to 7.2mbps.
I dont know wht is RIM thinking... this is a huge disappointment!!
A
9700 is great, but there is 1 major draw backs.
the device only support HSPDA data transaction speed up to 3.6mbps.
where as the 9550 support up to 7.2mbps.
I dont know wht is RIM thinking... this is a huge disappointment!!
A
I have had my Bold 9700 since Friday and I owned the 9000 for the past year. I love everything about the 9700 except the size, I thought the 9000 was a perfect size. I am still trying to get use to the smaller keypad, so at this point I can't really say if I like the 9700 better. The trackpad is a huge plus for the 9700 though.
I checked out the Bold yesterday and it was much smaller than my Tour. Typing would be bad with my big hands. The only thing missing I see is wifi and the trackpad. The Tour2 is getting this next, so the Bold will have a leather back to claim. If you liked the old Bold size, the Tour is the only answer if you're on CDMA. I'll wait for Tour2.
To Blackletter:I have had the 9700 since Thursday and had the 9000 for a year. I was worried that the smaller keyboard might bother me, but the weight and the width of the phone was such a nice change, that I don't mind getting used to the smaller keyboard. It does have the same lay out as the 9000, so it isn't that much of a change. I am a female though, and I would imagine that this keyboard versus the 9000 would pose a challenge for a man. The track pad is great though...and I love how much quiter using the phone is due to no scrolling track ball!
For a typical consumer, the differences between the Tour and 9700 are negligible. These kinds of differences mean nothing in the long-run. When is RIM going to release something REVOLUTIONARY or INNOVATIVE. Are those even in RIM's vocabulary?
+1
This phone was really built from the ground up. The Tour is more or less based off of the Storm's platform with a revamped OS and some memory. I would hope RIM's newest BB is more advanced and nicer than a platform that is almost a year old. Plus, it seems that the Bold is the flagship device. It should be as good as it gets.
I agree it's the flagship GSM device. But not the flagship BlackBerry. With all that RIM is pumping into the Storm 2 I'd have to say it takes the crown. I still don't know why other than hardware is inferior why the new Bold doesn't support OpenGL ES... That's the only thing I can think of...
When I got my 8900 I thought it was the best BB ever made, and I still love the keyboard.
I stopped in at AT&T to play with the 9700 last night and I have to say, it is darn near perfect. Size, weight, feel, etc., all amazing. The keyboard is great. The trackpad took about 5 seconds to get used to, and then I loved it.
My dislike for the 9000 came from its size and awkward style. Both of those were remedied on the 9700.
Anyone like the 9700 better or worse than the 9000?
I picked up a 9700 for my girlfriend yesterday and it is an impressive device. I LOVE the trackpad,the camera is definitely better, and the memory boost is very nice as well.
Other than that, I must say I'm still happy with my 9000. I have been doing a lot with the 9700 and it is a little hard for me to use with only one hand. The size is great for portability but my thumb doesn't quite rest naturally on the 9700 pad like it does on my 9000 ball.
If you have smaller hands the 9700 is probably for you. As for me, I like the more spacious keyboard and bigger screen. I wish I had the trackpad, 3.2 mp camera (it is quite a bit better!), and the memory boost, but I can sit patiently with my 9000 until the next best BB ever comes out. Hopefully they make a bigger phone like the 9000 again.
Nuff said.
Agreed x100
Best BlackBerry yet despite the fact that it has the same crappy browser and also doesn't support OpenGL. I just think BB users in general set such low expectations they can't help but jump for joy when they get the next lazy featureless iteration from RIM.
Wow, yeah all of us blackberry users are idiots. That's why blackberry is still the best selling smartphone... RIM totally is screwing the pooch with all their devices.
Get real and find a different website to spout your crap on.
They are here because they know Blackberry is the best and they want to check from time to time to confirm that their other phone is keeping up.
I have a Tour - it's bootleg. Either RIM just spends more resources on GSM phones, or they suck at coding the radios for cdma.
The Tour has reception issues. It behaves like a gsm! Hahaha
Obviously it makes sense to spend more money on the GSM side, but the Tour is like the cousin of the bold. Cheap plastic back that makes the device feel crappy. Radio issues. Problematic trackballs when it originally came out, dimmer screen, slower cpu, and it's released way later than the gsm version of the device.
Well, it isn't exactly fair to compare the 9700 to the 9630. We all know the 9630 is the worst cell phone ever made. We will see what happens when the Tour 2 comes out.
Quit spouting BS...
I'll take my Tour on the Verizon network any day over the 9700 with its tacky vinyl back and dropped calls.
That said, the trackpad might be nice, I need to try that out.
I've had the Curve 8900 for AT&T for a while now and not had one drop call. Even tho the Tour seems nice I'd rather have the 9700 or the new Curve's that's been coming out.
The 9700 is definitely the best GSM BB (and the 8900 is great too). For me in the NYC area, CDMA is just so much better. The Curve 85XX series is a low-end BB though; no comparison with the Tour or 9700.
i still love my BB Storm. im sure they are in a different class but only wish they would make a GSM Storm 2 because i would like to upgrade to it vut who knows i might not be able to wait!!
I currently have the Bold 9000 and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the wide Qwerty keyboard design.
On Sunday, I visited my local AT&T store and tried out the Bold 9700. I love the optical track pad, the OS 5.0 and the speed. No doubt it's a VERY FAST, well-designed BlackBerry device.
This being said, I ask this to all the original Bold 9000 owners. Did you upgrade to the Bold 9700 and are you happy with the upgrade?
I'm very tempted to buy the Bold 9700 and sell my Bold 9000, but is it worth it in your opinions?
Thanks for your help with this critical matter.
A Loyal BlackBerry User and HUGE Bold 9000 fan.
I bought my my 9000 last november and as soon as I heard about the 9700 I new I had to buy one, not because the 9000 was a bad device but because where I work is so dirty that I had to exchange my 9000 every few months because my trackball would get stuck. So with that said I love the trackpad and the bold for that matter, by far the best phone I have ever owned! The only thing I don't like is the lack of built in memory but hey who needs it.
I am having this same delema, not sure if I would like losing a full set of keys in width. I too have had the Bold 9000 since it has dropped have been able to play with one recently. I keep mine in a pouch all the time so don't seem to have trackball issues.
I love the slim design and the trackpad but really haven't made a final decision.
I had the bold 9000 since the day it came out, and I sold it and I bought the new 9700 the day it came out and after a day of use, I returned it the 9700 and bought a new 9000 again. I absolutely love love love the 9000 bold. It is by far the best blackberry ever IMHO. I love the size. Do I wish it had a trackpad and better camera, ya, but the size and keyboard and overall feel of the phone is way better!!! Stick to the bold 9000, trust me!
premiere customer with ATT so I received mine Saturday and have been loving it!!!
BOLD 2 is the best blackberry to bad the services sucks on att,and 3g is tiny on tmobile
Wait. T-Mobile on EDGE? Wasn't this phone a 3G device for T-Mobile? It's obvious AT&T has the device 3G ready. What's going on here?
I would have to say that the picture was taken in an area not yet covered by T Mobile's 3G.