The iPhone OS 3.0 software update means the iPhone now supports Microsoft Exchange, so you can read your Outlook emails on the device. It also added a remote wipe function that should appease nervous IT departments. Furthermore, the Hero, Palm Pre, Motorola Dext and other devices have shown how the integration of social networks, such as Facebook, can be taken much further. The social-networking functionality of these touchscreen contenders is more playful and user-friendly than the 9700's, including features such as live Twitter updates on the home screen and set-up wizards that don't fry your brain with complexity. In comparison, the BlackBerry's user interface is beginning to feel rather dowdy.
The 9700 does, however, spice things up with a new optical trackpad, which replaces the tiny trackball seen on previous RIM devices. The trackpad's fun to use, and makes it a doddle to whizz around the screen. It also collects less dirt than the trackball. In addition, the 9700's screen is a pleasure to look at, thanks to its superb resolution. Photos and videos look fantastic on it.
Stuck in a Web
In our tests, the 9700's Web browser proved a huge improvement on those of its
predecessors, offering better standards compliance. It scored 97/100 in the Acid3
test, compared to the 8900's paltry 13/100. It's still slower than many of its smart-phone competitors, though, and it struggled to
properly render the best site in the world, CNET UK.
It's worth noting that our test 9700 had been massaged by T-Mobile -- the browser was branded as a T-Mobile web'n'walk application -- and we can't be sure that its performance wasn't affected. For example, when we searched using the default T-Mobile search engine, Yahoo, spaces were converted to '%20', which made our searches fail miserably. The Google search engine didn't have the same problem, and there may not be an issue on other networks.
Camera time
Like its Web browser, the 9700's 3.2-megapixel camera and two LED
lights are much better than those of other BlackBerry devices, but you shouldn't chuck out your
digital camera just yet. In our tests, the camera proved sufficiently good for capturing
spontaneous moments, but its photos aren't sharp or accurate enough to be blown up on a big
screen.
The camera also suffers from slight shutter lag, so a few moments pass between pressing the button and taking a picture. Happily, this is one of the only areas in which the 9700 feels slow. Otherwise, the user interface feels punchy and responsive.
Conclusion
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 offers refinement of a well-loved format, but it doesn't break much new ground. We can't fault its zippy
performance, vivid screen or reliable email service, and its optical trackpad
and 3.2-megapixel camera are useful improvements. For BlackBerry fans, and people who want to do some serious emailing,
the 9700 is the pick of the bunch. But the 9700 just doesn't offer the thrills that some of its rivals do.
Edited by Charles Kloet
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User reviews15
Add your review
danielfoley22 18 September 2011
Good: Battery life, phone ergonomics
Bad: Boring OS, Slow, Awful App Gallery, Poor Screen Size, Flawed Firmware
Comment: These phones are massivley overrated, they are incredibly boring, the app gallery is a complete joke, with tacky applications that are over priced. The OS is incredibly poor, with frequent crashes, disappearing text messages, poor internet browsing experience, awful speaker, awful Youtube support, and the headphone socket only works with some earphones,
In my opinion the only reason these phones are loved is for Blackberry messenger, other than that there is nothing appealing.
Android is a much better choice for any professional, blackberry phones are adored by chavs! So, sadly, I give this phone a 2/5, the only reason it didnt score lower was for the good battery life, and easy to use keyboard, other then that, this phone has hardly any appeal, it even looks cheap, tacky and feels flimsy and too plasticy!
hyperterric2004 28 April 2011
Comment: Plus I forgot to mention the qwerty keyboard that I love too, another reason why I am not getting rid of my Blackberry completely.
hyperterric2004 28 April 2011
Good: Features, Sensitive Scroll Button, Blackberry Messenger, Push Email, Good Reception
Bad: Browser and screen size small when web browsing.
Comment: I have had this phone for 18 months now. When I first bought this phone it was one of the best phones on the market in my opinion, if not the best.
Sadly for RIM I feel that the newer Blackberry's like the Torch and 9780 have not technologically advanced in comparison to their Android and Apple rivals. I love my Blackberry Bold 9700, however my next phone will not be a Blackberry as they have hardly advanced in the last 18 months.
If anyone is thinking of buying Blackberry Bold 9700, I totally recommend it especially if you can get it cheap. I rate it as the best Blackberry ever released as the newer models have hardly changed and do not tempt me at all.
My next phone is going to be an iphone or Android mainly due to my smart phones needs changing in the last 18 months. I was really happy with my Blackberry until I saw the iphone 4 launch which blew me away. I was never a big fan iphone until that phone was launched. The other phone that has blown me away since is the Samsung Galaxy SII
Now I want a large browsing screen, touch screen, beautiful graphics and loads of apps.
However I love my Blackberry Bold 9700, so I will be keeping it on pay as you go mainly for my Black Berry Messenger which I use to communicate friends all over the world.
See all 15 user reviews