BlackBerry creators RIM has shown with the Pearl and Curve crew that its messaging maestros have fully embraced the multimedia smartphone revolution, despite the fact it’s still playing teensy bit catch up in the power stakes. However, its newest fruit machine, the Bold, is bursting with its most electrifying feature set yet, not to mention a swanky new design.
The full blown QWERTY keypad shows the Bold still has messaging at its core but this BlackBerry is notable for being the first to run with HSDPA download speeds. Chuck into the mix built-in Wi-Fi, onboard GPS for sat nav, a cut throat sharp half VGA screen and an integrated 3.5mm headphone jack and compared to past Berries, the Bold is a smartphone god.
But, alas, such power inevitably means a big ole body and the Bold is as wide and chunky as a Hummer. Fans of the 8800 won’t have any problems with its girth and it does mean the new guitar fret board inspired QWERTY is heavenly to thumb. In the design department, a curvier chassis, tactile leatherette rear panel and revamped stylish UI graphics complete the cosmetic surgery.
Unfortunately, the Bold’s ambitions to break the smartphone premier league top four and join the likes of the Nokia N96, Samsung i8510, Apple iPhone 3G and Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 is hampered by a paltry autofocus deficient two-megapixel snapper. What’s the deal RIM?
Verdict
A mighty messaging maven bolstered by the most potent feature set we’ve seen on a BlackBerry device yet.
Best features
Quality construction
Stunning half VGA-quality screen
High speed connectivity
Spacious and highly thummable QWERTY keyboard
Not so good
Feeble camera
Big and bulky
Closest rivals
Nokia N95
The original ‘super’ smartphone’s feature set is still mighty fine with the five-megapixel camera, built-in GPS and high speed connectivity the highlights.
Sony Ericsson K660i
This compact HSDPA racing candybar is brilliantly geared for the social networker who needs cheeky web access and email updates while on the hop.
Nokia E65
Billed as a business centric phone, this slider still has some sassy multimedia talents including a two-megapixel camera and 3G download speeds.
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