BlackBerry Bold

The Bold is BlackBerry's first 3G smartphone, and reviewers agree that while it is a premium device aimed at corporate users rather than mass-market consumers, the Bold still packs enough multimedia functionality for both work and play. Compared with its rivals, reviewers and users are impressed with the Bold's potent 624 MHz processor, which is a bit faster than the iPhone 3G and twice as fast as the BlackBerry Curve. The device also packs 1 GB of internal memory, expandable to 16 GB via a microSD slot. The Bold's gorgeous high-resolution 320-by-480-pixel display is, according to Sascha Segan of PCMag.com, "the best screen ever on a mobile device." Business features abound and include a roomy full QWERTY keyboard that makes typing a breeze, push and HTML email, DataViz to Go for opening and editing Microsoft Office documents, four instant-messaging clients, and BlackBerry OS 4.6 software that syncs contacts, calendars and iTunes libraries with PC and Mac desktops. The Bold also has a 2-megapixel video-capture camera and stereo speakers. With the support of AT&T's high-speed 3G HSDPA network, excellent push email, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, built-in GPS, and battery life that outlasts the competitors, the Bold's functionality is a potential knockout.

Reviewers and users are, however, equally unanimous about the Bold's drawbacks. The device is bulky -- measuring about 4.4 inches long, 2.6 inches wide and 0.6 inches deep -- and weighs nearly an ounce more than the Apple iPhone 3G. Weak call reception and background hiss are common complaints, as AT&T's 3G coverage is limited, and the network reverts to the slower 2G in many areas. (Similar complaints have been noted about the iPhone, too.) By far the biggest downfall is the web browser. Like most BlackBerry models, the Bold's browser is slow to render and crippled by JavaScript. Many users expect better browser performance, especially given the expensive price tag, which is higher than the iPhone 3G. But in the final assessment, industry experts say the Bold is still a top-notch smartphone for corporate use, while the iPhone 3G may be a better choice for multimedia aficionados.

Among the reviews we consulted, PCMag.com, PC World and CNET offer detailed evaluations that compare the BlackBerry Bold to market rivals such as the Apple iPhone 3G, T-Mobile G1 and Nokia E71, as well as other BlackBerry products, including the 8800 and Curve. MobileTechReview and Laptop Magazine provide in-depth assessments, while user reviews on CNET, Amazon.com and AT&T's website show how the BlackBerry Bold fares over long-term use, and they help determine overall product value.