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Best BlackBerry to date, but no trendsetter
Pros
- Sleek design
- Optical trackpad for easy navigation
- Brilliant, high-resolution display
- Excellent business functionality
- Responsive QWERTY keyboard
- Unlimited Wi-Fi calls on T-Mobile version
Cons
- Small 2.4-inch display
- Tired user interface
- Sluggish browser
- Limited apps
"The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is like a classically tailored suit: elegant, predictable, practical, and easy to slip into but not visibly innovative," says Sascha Segan at PCMag.com. While experts agree the Bold 9700 doesn't break new ground, its solid features and reliable performance -- along with combined Wi-Fi and fast 3G network capabilities missing on other BlackBerrys -- put it at the top of the BlackBerry heap. "The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is one of the phones that gets nearly everything right and has minimal quirks or other problems," says Eric M. Zeman at PhoneScoop.com. But Katherine Boehret of The Wall Street Journal thinks the similar yet cheaper BlackBerry Tour 9630 (*Est. $100 with contract) and BlackBerry Curve 8900 (Free with contract) are also worth a look.
In most critics' eyes, the Bold 9700 melds the best of the Tour and the brick-sized Bold 9000 (Free with new contract) into a "slim and refined package," says Ginny Mies of PC World. The smaller size means less real estate for the keyboard and display, but both still excel. The keys have a "nice springy feedback," says CNET's Bonnie Cha, and even though the display has shrunk to 2.4-inches, the pumped up 480-by-360-pixel resolution is stunning, with Philip Berne at InfoSyncWorld.com saying it "might be the best screen we've seen on a mobile device." Other perks that woo critics include BlackBerry's fastest 624 MHz processor, the new optical trackpad, Bluetooth and GPS. BlackBerry's unrivaled messaging and productivity also remain in full force, but weak Microsoft Exchange connectivity, along with wimpy apps and a lack of integrated social networking, are sticking points.
Like all BlackBerrys, the Bold sags under a dated user interface and web browser. Berne sums up sentiments about the new 5.0 software, saying it needs "a serious overhaul," while all critics agree that the web browser falls far behind the iPhone 3GS (*Est. $200 with contract), the Palm Pre (*Est. $100 with new contract) and Android devices, such as the Motorola Droid (*Est. $120 with new contract). However, Segan says the Bold is one of the best-sounding BlackBerrys, and experts are impressed with the beefed-up 3.2-megapixel camera. Reception and call quality rate well, but some testers report drops when moving calls from Wi-Fi to 3G. (T-Mobile subscribers can make unlimited calls over Wi-Fi for an extra monthly fee of $10.) Battery life is rated at five and a half hours of talk time; it lasted for six and a half hours in tests at InfoSyncWorld.com, and five hours at MobileTechReview.com.
Detailed reviews from CNET, PCMag.com and InfoSyncWorld.com test and evaluate the BlackBerry Bold 9700, mostly comparing it to other BlackBerry devices. Less rigorous yet helpful reviews are available from sources such as PC World and The Wall Street Journal, while user comments at CNET shed light on potential problems with extended use.
Where To Buy
| Blackberry 9700 Bold Unlocked Quad-Band 3G Smartphone with 3.2 MP Camera, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth--International Version with Warranty (Black) | |
(51 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
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Our Sources
1. PCMag.com
Sascha Segan praises the updated Bold for its razor-sharp screen, fast speed, great messaging abilities and multimedia prowess. While the Bold doesn't match the Motorola Cliq for signal strength and browser speeds, or the HTC Touch Pro2 for Microsoft Exchange connectivity, he nevertheless says the Bold 9700 "mostly holds up" among its peers.
Review: BlackBerry Bold 9700 (T-Mobile), Sascha Segan , Nov. 5, 2009
2. CNET
Bonnie Cha puts the BlackBerry Bold 9700 through the paces, comparing it mostly to the original Bold and the BlackBerry Tour. She likes the sleeker design, optical trackpad, snappy processor and Wi-Fi calling (on T-Mobile), but wishes the Bold 9700 "had a better browser to complete the package."
Review: RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 (T-Mobile), Bonnie Cha, Nov. 4, 2009
According to Philip Berne, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is the "quintessential modern BlackBerry," doing everything right without bringing anything new to the party. He's partial to the "stunning" display, new optical trackpad, strong battery life and convenient Wi-Fi calling, but adds that the user interface needs "a serious overhaul," while the web browser "is sure to disappoint."
Review: BlackBerry Bold 9700 Review, Philip Berne, Nov. 5, 2009
With top-notch hardware, a smaller footprint and solid messaging capabilities, Eric M. Zeman says the BlackBerry Bold 9700 gets nearly everything right. Problems are few yet noticeable: a stale user interface, weak music client and browser that falls behind class rivals. Still, he considers the Bold 9700 a good pick given its solid performance.
Review: Review: BlackBerry Bold 9700, Eric M. Zeman, Nov. 5, 2009
5. PC World
Although impressed by the slimmed-down design, ergonomic keyboard and stunning display of the BlackBerry Bold 9700, Ginny Mies adds that the Bold's browser is "definitely its weak spot," especially compared to the iPhone, Palm Pre and Android devices. Nevertheless, the rich feature set, Wi-Fi and fast 3G network support make it the best BlackBerry to date.
Review: RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 (T-Mobile) Smartphone, Ginny Mies, Nov. 4, 2009
Katherine Boehret compares the BlackBerry Bold 9700 to the original as well as the Curve 8900 and Tour 9630. She says it reminds her of the original Bold "after a diet," and that the 3G and Wi-Fi combination is the biggest difference between the models. She recommends the Tour and Curve as affordable alternatives.
Review: A Downsized BlackBerry Bold With Oomph, Katherine Boehret, Nov. 10, 2009
"The BlackBerry Bold isn't an earth-shattering upgrade from the original Bold," says Tong Zhang. Nevertheless, the solid design, good multimedia and messaging set, plus added benefit of Wi-Fi calling make it a compelling choice for T-Mobile customers. Like other critics, Zhang notes that BlackBerry's browser is pokey even with fast 3G network support.
Review: BlackBerry Bold 9700, Tong Zhang, Nov. 24, 2009
In hands-on testing of the BlackBerry Bold 9700, Shaun Mahal finds that the device offers solid performance in nearly every area with no major glitches. The trackpad is a "delight" to use, messaging quick and reliable, and the 3.2-megapixel camera vastly improved, although coverage "isn't always stellar," nor the browser "on par" with competitors.
Review: BlackBerry Bold 9700 Review, Shaun Mahal, Nov. 16, 2009