BlackBerry Bold 9700 Review

Name: BlackBerry Bold 9700 Review
Brand: BlackBerry

by Jennifer Johnson — Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 11:45 AM EDT

The original BlackBerry Bold made its debut about a year ago. Even though the original model is still a solid device, it's now time for a flashier, faster model that will make you yearn for an upgrade. The latest RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 is available through T-Mobile and AT&T. We evaluate the T-Mobile version here.

As T-Mobile's first 3G BlackBerry, the Bold 9700 not only offers T-Mobile customers a sleek new handset in time for the holidays, but it also offers versatility in the form of UMA support for Wi-Fi calling. While T-Mobile's 3G network may not be as vast as some other carrier's networks, T-Mobile is continuing to expand its 3G service nationwide and expects to offer 3G service to approximately 200 million people across the US by year end. It's definitely nice to see the carrier add more 3G handsets to its lineup, especially a full-featured phone such as the BlackBerry 9700 that can really take advantage of the new network.

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Compared to the previous Bold, the Bold 9700 features a faster processor, an updated OS, and a sleeker design. It also has an upgraded camera with a 3.2 megapixel sensor and the ability to record video.

Traditionally, BlackBerry handsets have failed to offer an outstanding Web browser. Sadly, the Bold 9700 is no exception. Simply put, the Web browser doesn't stand up to the competition in terms of ease of use or functionality, especially in a day where so many handsets offer desktop-like browsing experiences on a mobile handset. That said, you can still browse the Web on the Bold 9700, just know that the experience won't be as nice as if you were browsing on a device such as the iPhone or DROID.

Despite mediocre web browsers, BlackBerry handsets have been wildly popular, especially for users who are primarily concerned with messaging capabilities. Just how well does the Bold 9700 handle messaging and other key features? Does it stand out from the crowd of other BlackBerries on the market today? Join us as we take a closer look at the Bold 9700 to find out answers to these questions and many more.

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Tags: Cell Phone, BlackBerry, RIM, smartphone, wireless, Cellphone, Bold 9700, Bold

Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer grew up around technology. From an early age, she was curious about all things related to computers. As a child, Jennifer remembers spending nights with her dad programming in BASIC and taking apart hard drives to see what was inside. In high school, she wrote her senior term paper on her experiences with building custom computers.

Jennifer graduated from the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. After college, she began writing full-time for various PC and technology magazines. Later, she transitioned to the Web. In these roles, Jennifer has covered a variety of topics including laptops, desktops, smartphones, cameras, tablets, and various consumer electronics devices. When she's not playing with or writing about the latest gadget, Jennifer loves to spend time with her family, capture memories with her camera, and scrapbook.

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