I was just taking a look at the specs for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 and there really isn’t much debate over it being the baddest physical QWERTY keyboard bearing BlackBerry available. Many would argue that it is the the best new BlackBerry available period. Personally, I give a slight edge to the BlackBerry Storm2, however, that is probably more personal preference than anything else.
That being said, like with the BlackBerry Storm2 compared to the original Storm, I am having a hard time justifying the $200 bucks for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 if you already have the Bold 9000 and are pretty satisfied with it. I just don’t see where it does enough better than its predecessor to justify the expense.
This is just one man’s opinion… What’s yours?
I’d do it in a heart beat. More memory, no memory leaks, better form factor, much longer battery life, etc. I’m killing my 9700 for 2 days without a charge while running WiFi, UMA, and Bluetooth al at the same time. Loving the 9700 as well as my Storm2.
“I am having a hard time justifying the $200 bucks for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 if you already have the Bold 9000 and are pretty satisfied with it. I just don’t see where it does enough better than its predecessor to justify the expense.”
…and you should’nt!!! There is no justification other then it’s the new toy that everyone wants. We are spoiled lil’ Americans who just lust for the next thing as its coming. Myself included. This is a sickness!!
“… the things you get, the more you want! Just trade in one for the other” -Sammy Hagar (Van Halen)
But if you can afford it, then go for it. Being labeled a sickness is a little extreme and there’s enough reason for a power user like myself to make the upgrade.
Yeah, sickness is a little harsh…
I am definitely not recommending against the 9700. It is a great device. I’ve personally not had many of the issues that I know a lot of Bold 9000 users have had, so, it’s hard for me to recommend it if you have a 9000, or, even an 8900 that you are content with, especially knowing that it doesn’t support OpenGL ES.
It’s been a while blue… Good to hear from you.
I started a new job last Tuesday and they provided me with the new BlackBerry Bold which was delivered over the weekend. I spent all day Saturday and Sunday monkeying around with it and I have to admit that I just don’t get the allure to it. I already have my own personal iPhone that I would be more than happy to just keep using and paying for myself if I could get my corporate email on it.
I could see why people would get a BlackBerry over an iPhone if they aren’t on AT&T and don’t want to switch carriers but I am baffled by how this thing competes on AT&T head to head against the iPhone.
First off, there is no comparison between BlackBerry and iPhone. Second, with the announcement that RIM isn’t supporting OpenGL on the Bold 9700, there isn’t any big motivation for me to upgrade…
Voice calling over WiFi!
Being able to now have coverage anywhere I can connect to WiFi has been a godsend. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at a friend or relative’s house and not had any coverage with AT&T, and now with T-Mobile I never have that problem anymore. Sure I drop a call now and again, but I did with AT&T too.
All that, and free 3G tethering has been incredible. Now I don’t need a data stick AND my Bold!
I have the TMO version and loving it as well. I have to say, I sit in a dead spot (in my office) that only my VZW service was able to pull in, and it was barely two bars at best. With the TMO UMA, it’s solved my issue and it’s also surprisingly crystal clear. Plus, the battery life alone saved me $30 from having to get a backup. I get two days of heavy abuse on the device.
Just made the switch – the key positives are:
1) trackpad is fantastic – a huge improvement over the trackball, but more importantly I have had to replace my trackball every 3 or 4 months because of lint and dirt (I carry the device in my pocket, no case);
2) smaller size factor is a far better fit for my hand, to the point where I had dropped the Bold 9000 many times because it was clumsy to hold;
3) $200 is a small price to pay for a new, fun diversion!
Just the battery life is enough. Tests confirm it’s the best battery (and best battery management) ever found on a BlackBerry…. I’d add the form factor, too.
Great phone, it is simply too small, the keyboard is cramped and the screen is much smaller. my son has one and although it is a great phone it’s not for me, I will keep my 9000 untill the rumored 9900 arrives in mid 2010, if RIM will be putting open GL in future phones that will be another plus for waiting, enjoy your 9700 everyone, it’s a great phone.
Don’t forget the pending arrival of OS 5.0 for the Blackberry Bold. The switch will be even harder to justify. I’ve been running the most stable version of it (in my opinion) on my Bold for a while and I can say that compared to OS 4.6, 5.0 is an absolute miracle.
Selling the Bold with 5.0 pre-loaded and calling it the Bold 2 would make more sense to me than calling the 9700 the Bold 2, assuming companies still are going to release the software.
So I’m having problems deciding also. 🙂
Depends on the user. If you’re someone who sticks to the official release software, and are back somewhere in the 4.6’s or 4.7’s, then the new OS (5.0) will be a very pleasant improvement, to say nothing of the increased speed, battery life, tighter form-factor and, of course, the trackpad instead of the trackball. OTOH, if you are a “power user” and beta’d up your 9000 to leaked 5.0’s months ago, the software will be familiar, but because the 9700 has an official 5.0 OS installed, I doubt you will miss the memory leaks and error messages that no longer bog down the handheld. And if you are of this second type of user, it is likely that you were straining the memory capacity of the 9000 with apps, so the 9700, with more memory, represents critical breathing room. Of course, price is the driver. Worth what? Upgrade offer, with rebates, or some nutty unlocked ebay price?
I agree. Even with the 5.0 upgrade on my original Storm, I was witnessing memory leaks, although not as harsh as the 4 series of OS’s. As for the increased amount on board the 9700 and the lack of memory leaks, it allows for more programs to be downloaded, more email capacity to save, contacts, etc. The track pad vs. the trackball alone would do it for me. I wish they had thought about the track pad much earlier. And when the Pearl2 comes out, then I’m really going to be pressed.
That’s what I was refering to, the average non-upgraded users, but I see what you mean. The average 4.6 user might not even know about 5.0 upgrades and its improvements. I’m of course referring to the official release of 5.0 though, which I’m hopeful will be rid of memory leaks and things that the leaked ones are notorious for. And I can’t help but feel that the 5.0 upgrade for the Storms was a bit rushed to keep the original owners from being even more pissed at Verizon and RIM.
But I still feel that OS might level the plane between the 9700 and the 9000, which might be part of the reason why it hasn’t been released yet.
I did not want to like the Bold 9700. I thought it was too small when compared to the original Bold 9000, and that the missing 1GB of on-board memory was a deal breaker.
I’ve been using the Bold 9700 since Friday, November 19th, and see that I was being hasty in judging the Bold. The trackpad is GREAT!!! The battery lasts a lot longer on a charge. The memory doesn’t seem to be much of a problem.
I like the phone. I’m glad I decided to upgrade.
I bought the 3gs about 2 weeks ago, and returned it this past weekend, couldn’t get used to the keyboard, and it sounded like crap. I bought the 9700 on Sunday, so far I’m impressed, it’s hard getting used to the keyboard, as I’m a hyper-texter.. But it’s better. The keys are a little mushy and weird shaped.
In all honesty, I miss my little original Blackjack. Had that phone for 3 years 😀
As much as I wanted to love the new Bold 9700, I personally think the Bold 9000 is a much nicer phone. The 9700 may have some more memory and a little better camera, but its just way too small of a phone. The reason the Bold 9000 was so popular was because of its great size. The original Bold has a nice keyboard that is extremely easy to type on, a very large and beautiful screen, and the amazing feel of the leather on the back of the phone. The 9700 is very small, about the size of a curve, the keys are much smaller to try to type on, and there is minimal leather on the back of the phone, giving it a cheaper feel. Sure, the new trackpad is great, but its not enough for me to switch over.
What are you on, mate? (V)
I personally prefer the Bold 9000, because of the look and its size and weight. I’m really not into light phones and plastic materials. having said that, I do know that the new bold 9700 is a much better phone, faster, camera is not a little better, its a lot better. its resolution is a beaut.
If you love your 9000 thats okay but dont belittle the 9700.
I prefer the 9000 because its enough for me and i like its looks. I’m not that stupid to say the 9700 isn’t a much better phone when it obviously is.
What am I on? I am stating my opinon “mate”.
I PREFER the Bold 9000. I am not “belittling” the 9700, I am simply stating that I FEEL it is too small of a phone.
Yes the 9700 has a 3.2 megapixel camera versus a 2 megapixel on the 9000. Does that make it a “much” better phone? No. We are not talking about going from a 2 megapixel camera to a 7 megapixel camera here.
Yes the 9700 is a slightly faster phone. Is the 9000 a slow phone by any means? Absoultely not.
I’m not that stupid to say the 9700 is a MUCH better phone when it obviously is NOT.
Lol. I knew you were going to compare megapixels. I actually used the phone for a week. Its not slightly better. It is much better. Run several things and use them without it freezing. It has the fastest processor ever on a BB. It is the best BB pound for pound. My probelm is with the design. I thought they could Have done better.
If you said you tested the 9700 and it didn’t perform better and you wetent impressed then I wouldn’t Have wrote anything, because that shows you tried but it didn’t meet ur standards.
Ok brixtonmassive…I definitely owe you a gigantic apology. I headed out to my local T-Mobile store today after work and compared the two phones side by side (they had working models) and WOW!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!! Unbelievable!
The new Bold 9700 is ridiculously fast! The phone is so sleek and modern, it feels wonderful in your hand, the keyboard is surprisingly spacious and the screen resolution, well, lets just say it put my Bold 9000 to shame. The camera quality, the new track pad, just everything was remarkable. Next to the new Bold 9700, the 9000 even looked slightly outdated.
I couldnt resist. I bought it on the spot and Im so happy!
HAHA, Dont worry about it mate. Enjoy.
Had both and the 9700 is worth every penny.