RIM has updated its flagship model with a sleeker and more powerful model – the Bold 2 9700. Featuring an improved processor and latest UI, the phone certainly has the specs but can it stop the iPhone and Android onslaught?
The BlackBerry Bold was one of the standout devices of last year – it was RIM's statement that it was coming for the consumer market.
And while it was successful, there always comes a time for a refresh, and that's where the new BlackBerry Bold 2 9700 comes in.
It's a sleeker, faster and more able device than its predecessor, and it shows. We're talking 16g lighter, 6mm less wide, 5mm less tall and a whopping 0.9mm thinner.
But what this means is a more cramped keyboard, which will be a big worry for some who picked up the Bold, not because it was one of the first BlackBerrys to use 3G, but because it had one of the largest keyboards in the range.
The device's diet does add a touch of class to proceedings – it now looks like a Storm 2 handset but with a whole lot of keys jammed on instead. The top of the phone houses two buttons: the lock and the mute keys. The former will turn off the screen and lock the keys, and the latter will mute the phone when ringing, but holding it down will put the phone into standby mode.
The screen is now among the most high-res in the BlackBerry world, as it stands at a Magic-matching HVGA resolution. It's also supposed to have a light-sensing display, but the Bold 2 9700 seemed confused about that function, constantly upping the brightness of the screen when light conditions don't seem to change.
The right-hand side of the phone holds the rubberised keys, which function as the up/down volume buttons and also as music navigation buttons for the media player. A similar rubberised option is further down the side, which functions as the camera shutter key.
On the left-hand side lives the function key, which can be programmed to perform a number of functions, with the default being voice command of the phone.
Above this lives the exposed microUSB port, as well as the recessed 3.5mm headphone port. This is built into the curved chassis, which means a portion of the headphone jack is left exposed.
On the older Bold this was a flush socket, which meant a more snug fit – however, we didn't experience any problems with the audio playback, so it's just an aesthetic issue.
The keyboard itself is a little cramped for our tastes, with the 6mm loss in width a bit too much to make the keyboard as easy to use as before. However, RIM has taken this on board and made some decent changes by increasing the prismic feel of the keys to give your fingers more to hit, which will go some way to making typing more accurate (especially if you have longer fingernails... so we're told).
The layout of the keyboard is the same as before, with the menu button and return key flanked by the call and terminate keys. As we mentioned before, there's no trackball in sight here, being replaced by the optical trackpad first seen on the BlackBerry Curve 8520. This gives a different (and darker) look to the front of the device, and early indications seem to suggest that early users appear to like the new hardware.
The back of the phone brings that beautiful (or not) faux leather feel, although this time it's not the whole way across - just a wide strip of the battery cover. The camera is improved too, with a 3.2MP snapper combined with an LED flash making things a lot more consumer friendly.
The chrome outline of the first Bold is back again, but this time it's more refined and part of the chassis, which we think gives the Bold 2 9700 a classy finish compared to the original effort, which had the same thing the whole way around the outside of the unit. While smaller, the BlackBerry Bold 2 9700 has a nice refined feel to it, and while the keyboard is a little bit on the cramped side, it certainly makes the unit look sleeker.
However, we're worrying that the new design might actually alienate previous bold users, who found the larger keyboard to be a real boon when it came to typing out messages. The wider shape might have annoyed some people, but given that a fair amount of the hardware is the same we're wondering whether most might prefer the old version.
Your comments (9) Click to add a new comment
idhasitha
December 16th 2010
9. * The Bold 9700 weighs 4.3 oz (122 grams) and is 4.3″ x 2.4″ x 0.55″ (109 mm x 60 mm x 14.1 mm).
* The screen is a 480 x 360 half-VGA+ display.
* Supports high-speed HSDPA networks for simultaneous voice and data usage, quick downloads and fast web browsing. Quad-band EDGE networks are also supported.
* Includes integrated GPS with photo geotagging support, plus built-in WiFi (802.11 b/g).
* Includes a microSD/SDHC memory card slot with a 2 GB card included (will support cards up to 32 GB), plus 256 MB of Flash memory.
* 3.2 MP camera able to record video, with flash, auto focus, image stabilization and digital zoom.
http://www.mixsl.com/2010/12/t-mobile-blackberry-bold-9700.html
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hapkidd
May 26th 2010
8. Here's a little history. Before getting the 9700 Bold, I entered the smartphone market as first using the first gen iPhone, then moved to the 3G iPhone then switched to the Nokia e71, then the Blackberry Bold 9000, then to the Blackberry Bold 9000. And have recently been looking at the HTC Desire or Legend. Now, if I do get the HTC, I doubt I'll be replacing the 9700, but more likely to be using both phones together. Reason? Well, the 9700 is absolutely wonderful to use. I think its personal preference, but think that lots would agree with me when I say "replacing a physical keyboard with touch just DOESN'T CUT IT at times!" The Blackberry Bold series has always been awesome to play with and use. The keyboard is made perfectly to fit your fingers while manuevering through the keys. The Nokia e71 had the problem where the keys were a bit too small. But on the 9000 and 9700 it is just perfect. Highly recommended to users who seek the Blackberry Bold 9700 as a phone that they might consider!
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ppang13
April 27th 2010
7. Have the old BOLD 8900 like it for the push mail only and the easy keyboard. Looking to update to 3G for the speed. Considering the 9700 BUT How can this be a true 3G phone if there is no camera infront to do video calls? At least it seems that way. Anyone can explain?
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irfankd
January 24th 2010
6. i bought a bold 2 over boxing week, and i love it. i am selling a bold 1, and i hate the trackball on it. all my friends have said that the trackpad is much more responsive. i prefer it over the bb tour my mom and sis got.
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jenniferg
December 26th 2009
5. I'm willing to go on record refuting the idea that the 9700's keybaord is in anyway user-friendly for people with fingernails. Not so! Torture! I'm coming from the Curve series, which while a similarly sized phone is a much better keyboard, far easier to use with moderately long fingernails. The 9700 I just got is a great phone in every way EXCEPT for the awful keyboard (and the poor browsing experience that is common across all the Blackberry models.) I actually love this phone in so many other ways, truly I am otherwise thrilled with it, which is why this nightmare of a keyboard is such a disappointment. Why can't RIM just put the Curve's user friendly keyboard on the 9700 and call it a day?!
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mynord
November 30th 2009
4. By the way, if my last post was a bit long for any of you, buy the Bold II because of the enhanced battery life. we have tested it and its well worth the change! keep in mind, my annual/christmas bonus is at stake! I guess you can say that I am being BOLD ;-)
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mynord
November 30th 2009
3. We have been using the Bold as an enterprise solution since it first came out. We bought a few of the Bold II when it was pre-sold and tested them out on the most demanding users across the company in most major geographical areas (http://www.globalprivatefunding.com/global_private_funding_contact_us.php).
At first, we did hear some moans and groans, but within about two weeks, I received thumbs up from everyone, including those who have long fingernails. Oh yes, the one person who complained about the original bold because he has large fingers (he really does) didn’t complain about this one at all.
So as of today, we are rolling out the Bold II company-wide and our applications group has already ported our internal custom apps to maximize the new screen resolution.
By the way, there’s a lot that’s different between the old Bold and the Bold II. Please visit this link to see a side by side comparison: http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/compare/product-attr-compare.jsp?products=1766&products=946
I work with Global Private Funding. It’s my job to make sure technology only enhances the lives of those who work for the company. Unlike other companies where technology is used to dictate policy and employees have to put up with what’s given to them, my annual bonus is based on how happy the users are. So my boss always asks me, “are your interests aligned with the users?”. I am betting my 2009 bonus my rolling out the Bold II, two weeks before Christmas.
Have a great holiday!
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drpathma
November 25th 2009
2. I won't be moving to the Bold 2. The keyboard sucks and I miss the trackball! The Bold is more than good enough for the moment
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corin
November 23rd 2009
1. Great review, gave me something to read at lunch while waiting for this phone to arrive and replace my 9000!
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