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BlackBerry Bold 9700 Review

Quite a lot of recent RIM’s BlackBerry phones looked quite alike (Bold and the Curve) and it could mean one of two things — either RIM doesn’t have any more design ideas left or it has almost perfected the form factor that many people loved about the qwerty smartphone that it doesn’t want to veer away from it. That is the case of the BlackBerry Bold 9700.

I haven’t formally reviewed the previous generation BB Bold 9000 but having tried it a couple of times before and basing on the specs, one can make the conclusion that there’s not much can be done on the BB Bold 9700 except for a number of tweaks and optimization.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 sports almost the same exterior as its predecessor — glossy, black-piano finish in front, rubbery lining on the side with a streak of silver and a nice leather back panel. The leather gives the handset a touch of class but also helps secure a nice grip when using the unit.

RIM tried to cut some fat around the unit so a couple of millimeters were shaved off the dimensions to make it more compact. This move somehow sacrificed a little screen real estate (2.44″ from the previous 2.6″) but improved on the pixel resolution (480×360) which explains why the display is clear, crisp, and bright.

The physical keyboard, one of RIM’s strongest features in most of its handsets, is maximized on space and layout. It might look a bit cramped at first but it’s just enough and comfortable for two-fingered typing. RIM shaped the individual keys with a chiseled edge, half of which faces the left and the other half facing the right. This is actually a clever and practical move — your thumbs get some sort of traction over the keys and helps prevent from slipping and hitting the wrong keys.

Again, RIM has fully transitioned it’s old and problematic trackball and replaced it with a touch-sensitive trackpad. This is probably the most welcomed change made on BlackBerry handhelds lately and it does seem to perform well.

The Bold 9700 is fully equipped with connectivity options you’d ever need in a smartphone — WiFi, 3G/HSDPA, Bluetooth and GPS navigation. Browsing on the unit seems fast on both 3G and WiFi and the pages rendered well but you’d wish you had more screen real estate there. And while the GPS navigation is usable, it hasn’t gone to the same level what Nokia recently did with their free turn-by-turn navigation.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700’s newest competitor would be the Nokia E72 and while they’re neck-and-neck in terms of the major features, the E72 has a few additional features up its sleeve. Battery life is impressive and lasts at least 3 days on single full charge (it’s got the same 1500mAh rating as the E71 and E72).

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 also missed a couple of things, some of it is due to geographical limitations:

  • First, the BlackBerry App World is still not available in the Philippines. The Apps would have added a huge plus point on top of the BIS. Give it already to us, RIM.
  • The 3MP camera is still a bit inadequate but if you compare it to another business phone like the Nokia E72, they’re just at par so no big deal there. It’s really hard to find a business phone that’s got good optics nowadays. I think it’s just positioning and they really intended it to be that way.
  • No FM tuner, a feature that’s becoming a standard all mobile phones in all categories. It’s time for RIM to equip all their future handsets with one.

Admittedly, there’s not much improvements you can do on a handset which many BlackBerry users deemed almost perfect. If only they could offer it a little more affordable like the Curve 8520. Good thing though is that you can now have this unit and use a prepaid SIM from Globe or Smart and just subscribe to the prepaid BlackBerry service.

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Abe Olandres
Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.
  • 241 Comments

  1. 🥈 Silver🏆1

    sir yuga available na po ba yan dito s pilipinas and how much?



  2. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    It’s available already here. I’m on Globe corporate plan, and they’re sending me a BB Bold 9700 this week as part of their loyalty program. Perhaps, retail price will play around PHP25K to PHP30K



  3. 🥈 Silver🏆1

    best thing about the BB is the keyboard, its just right



  4. 🥈 Silver🏆1

    From the shops i saw, it’s priced around P29-P30K, but like sir abe said, not much difference between the bold 9700 and the bold 9000, same almost everything, even the processor is the same, the most noticeable is of course the change from trackball to optical trackpad (i hated that trackball).

    for price under P18K, you get a similar experience with the Blackberry Curve 8520 (it also has an optical trackpad).



  5. 💎 Platinum🏆1

    I want one! But would settle for the 8520 because of the price. ;)



  7. 💎 Platinum🏆1

    looks nice and the price is reasonable too.
    I definitely want one, or perhaps the Curve will do..:-)



  8. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    It’s sad to know that BlackBerry AppWorld is not applicable here in the Philippines.. =(

    @Yuga

    Ive heard/read in the user comments that most BB9700 has tilted trackpad is it true with your unit? Does it affect performance of the trackpad?



  9. 🥉 Rookie🏆1

    I heard that the AppWorld will open in the Philippines soon (some time this year). You’ll see. ;)



  10. 🥉 Bronze🏆1

    Sayang there’s no FM. I’m looking for an alternative to my E63, this could have been a candidate but I listen to the radio a lot.



  11. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    sir yuga, pls feature naman yung latest available iphone app for Globe Users. its called Globe Calls. really convenient and can translate to huge savings!

    -Sent via YugaTech Mobile App



  12. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    I really like BB. Sana mag open na talaga yung BB AppWorld dito sa Philippines. How about the BB Storm 2? any plans on reviewing it? Thanks!



  13. 🥉 Rookie🏆1

    Hi. Is it true that if your a prepaid user of BB phone, you cant use some of the apps? Kindly confirm if this is true. Thanks.



  14. 🥉 Rookie🏆1

    I got a fake blackberry here in dubai for a price of 380dirhams or php4600.It looks very similar to the curve and is also using a trackball.It has a shortcut for facebook,ym,msn,google and yahoo search.Wifi and GPRS equipped and the browsing capability is awesome.It is also using the opera mini as the default browser and push email capable. The plus factor is that it has a two active standby sim capabilities so it eliminates the need for an extra phone for my roaming sim card. The phone is Java equipped as well, 2 cameras(front and back) USB charger, 2 batteries, TV function, FM,and the battery life is awesome. It can last up to 4 days with regular usage like texting. The blackberry insignia is also cool and the only thing I that im not happy is the mark on the back that says 11.0 megapixel.hehehe thats it.



  15. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    i’m using the BB 9700 for a week now, and based on it’s performance i can give it 8 out of 10.. the applications (3rd party) aren’t available in the country yet.. so if RIM’s gonna give it to the PI then it’ll add up some points.. and one thing more, do you guys know where i can buy good case(leather, crystal or candy type)? :) thanks..

    anyway, i got it this phone from globe.. this one has a better function than my e71.. :)

    cheers,
    Ron



  16. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    Hi Ron!

    Wow buti ka pa you got one from Globe na. Ilang beses na ako bumabalik sa globe, out of stock pa rin. I cant wait for my BB!!! Saang globe branch mo nakuha?



  17. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    blackberry if this one is around 20-30k? and Lg BL40 is 29K i’ll rather pick LG… I love the new BL40



  18. 🥉 Rookie🏆1

    Honestly, I’m not really into QWERTY phones, but this one’s gorgeous.



  19. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    Where can i get this on an installment basis? It’s really pretty but am not sure if it’s a practical choice for me. Hmm…..perhaps, if the price goes down to 25, that would be great! It’s selling @ 30 now! ;(



  21. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    Wala pa din yung akin, sa Globe Glorietta ako kumuha. huhu out of stock daw.



  23. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    I still prefer the form factor of the huge BB Bold 9000. The features of the Bold 9700 onyx are really souped up and much improved but will wait for an upgraded version of the BB bold 9000 before I make the switch from Nokia to Blackberry.



  24. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    hi mr. yuga..
    i have a technical problem with my blackberry9700, i cannot connect it to my wifi for internet & yahoo messenger app.. may mga setting pa po ba to?, pati ang MAP and GPS di rin gumana..huhu



  25. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    how can i use the yahoo messenger on my bb bold 9700? i got it from at&t(locked) and had it openlined here in cebu. i cant access the email set up,bbm and ym.how can i download photos directly from my bb 9700?by the way,im on prepaid(globe).please help me…im new to this..thanks



  26. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    why is it that when other bb users use fb on wifi,it says :via facebook for blackberry but others(like me),it says via Mobile web?



  27. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    @joanne your friends are using the official facebook app for blackberries. you can only use it if you have a data plan

    via Mobile web means facebook was accessed through the berry browser or even opera :)



  28. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    my blackberry bold 9700 which is 2 wks old is now defective.it was bought in the US and i had it unlocked here.ive been using it for almost 2wks and now it wont turn on.i first observed it freezed and when i turned it off and on again, theres a display on screen which says jvm error 102 then reset under it.how can i solve this?pleeeaaassseeee help me….ive searched for answers trhu crackberry and i followed the instructions but to no avail.please help meee……thanks



  30. 🥉 Rookie🏆1

    Tha batt life for 9700 is 2X the bold 9000. plus trackpad vs. trackball? No contest!! 9700 ang maganda! And kahit mag upgrade ka ng OS ng bold 9000; 6-8 hours lang ang batt life. Paano na kung heavy user ka? or ur following 100+ users sa twitter? or mag youtube and browse the net ka pa? Drain kaagad batt mo for sure.



  31. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    Hello Sir Yuga and everyone!

    I’ll be needing help . Though now, I am able to use the internet browser using WI FI, it seems that I can’t stream you tube with it. Referred to the BB’s support forums and they say there that I need to set up the APN in TCP setting. I just don’t know how can I get the APN and have it set up with my device. It is in the OPTIONS-ADV OPTIONS- TCP/IP. In it, there are 2 boxes waiting to be checked, and down under there are fields for APN Username and APN Password. Can someone give me info on how this thing work please? Should I check both of the boxes, or just one? And which one? And what am I supposed to put in the user name and pass word field?

    I bought this BB brand new, complete with the legit stuff even the pin, etc, yet unlocked (came from Europe as per the supplier, Hungary). I am an old time prepaid subscriber of Globe. I tried to call their CS, but as expected, they won’t give me any info since their company didn’t earn money out of my purchase of this unit. They say those units they sold are pre set accordingly to work.

    Also, I read a news that App World is already available in the Phils recently. I tried to download it direct to the BB but it says there that my device is not supported.

    Also, I havent set the email yet. I dunno where to get that Enterprise Activation Pass Word.

    I suspect that I would need a crash set up on this device.

    Hope someone can help me out.

    Thank yo so much,

    Tom



  33. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    Globe is offering this for P2,450 cash out on a P1,599 a month plan.



  34. 🥉 Rookie🏆1

    Siguro sa increased demand ng BB Bold 9700, Globe has increased the phone’s cash out to 11k. Buti nalang, nakakuha ako ng Bold @ 2450php cash out… Suwerte talaga.



  35. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    @David Miguel – I’m interested in the BB 9550 and tried sending an email to you but it bounced back. Any other email address or contact no.?



  36. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    can you send me the pricelist of blackberry here in the Philippines?Tnx



  37. 🥉 Rookie🏆1

    check out also blackberryzuela.com they are the most reliable seller of RIM-made phones here in the Philippines



  38. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    @ TOM

    recently got my BB bold 9700 and i had the same problem with yours. just bring it to either smart or globe and ask for the BB package.



  39. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    SELLING MY 1 MONTH OLD and 10 DAYS BLACKBERRY BOLD 9000 w/2gb SD card
    RFS: downgrade
    still under service warranty (janjanman)
    e-mail me first then ill give you my contact #.
    xfa****@****.***



  40. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    hi guys… i was just wondering, can the 9700 Bold sync with a Mac??? please reply.



  42. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    Selling Brandnew storm 2 9550 from US for only 21,000! For interested pls contact 0908-771-8611



  43. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    Selling a brand new blackberry bold 9700 unlocked for 28000 php. It has all accessories included in box. Email alexjvillan****@****.*** or text 090522***** for details. Serious buyers only. Thank you =)



  44. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    hi, if any of you are interested in Blackberry bold 9700. just email me. I have stocks of the black and pearl white.

    Reasonable Price



  46. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    buy with the expert..!!
    I bought my Bb bold 9700 in blackberryzuela.com
    just php23490 only!!

    and theirs have a special promo for the bold 9000 its only 20k with 2 freebies,extra battery or a 4GB SD memory card…

    This is a big opportunity for you guys,.!!
    kung gusto nyo makatipid kayo go to http://www.blackberryzuela.com

    They are legally incorporated in The Philippines as a Wholesaler Importer.



  47. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    Good Morning… papaano ba gamitin yung mga symbols ng blackberry 9700? shortcut symbols, ang ginagawa ko kasi ay pipindutin ko muna yung sym bago ako pumasok sa mga symbols ska ko i click yung yung gusto ko, nakikita po dba sa ibabaw ng letter yung mga point, comma, etc… papaano gamitin yun ng hindi na ako dadaan o pumunta sa mga symbols?
    tnx



  48. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    @kolasisi Press & hold the letter that you wish to have an accent, then scroll up/down to choose what kind of accent do you wish to be applied to that letter.



  49. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    availablr here bb curve white color… 15k open line.



  50. 🌱 Noobs🏆1

    im also selling apple products, much lower price. sure buy only….prices are available upon request.


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