The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is RIM’s follow up to the original BlackBerry Bold 9000. Just as eminently usable as the older device, this time there are beefed up specifications and a smaller frame (109mm x 60mm x 14.1mm x 122g as opposed to 114mm x 66mm x 15mm x 136g). Find out how we got on with it in our full BlackBerry Bold 9700 review…
A key to the success of the original BlackBerry Bold 9000 was its superb mini QWERTY keyboard. That remains. Though slightly smaller than before it retains the well ridged keys and superb tactile feel that makes typing at near-normal speed a possibility for most of us. Some users will rue the loss of the mini trackball in favour of a small optical trackpad, though. We found it took a bit of getting used to for fine precision such as when Web browsing, but overall was comfortable under the thumb.
The 2.44-inch, 480 x 360-pixel screen is sharp and bright, and as ever we found email support to be efficient. RIM does need to think about upping the capability of its camera, though. It isn’t so much the 3.2-Megapixels that bother us as the lack of features. No macro mode, no panorama mode, no smile detection. These are the things consumers look for.
Similarly, while we understand that the headset connector can’t go on the top of the device because that would foul up the neat curved hardware design and presence of mute and lock buttons, the side mounting means it doesn’t sit well in the pocket. Bottom edge next time, please.
We are picking at easy targets here. If mobile email is your thing more than any other, then this is arguably the best BlackBerry to be had.
Verdict
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is an updated version of the classic original. Smaller, lighter, but just as impressive as a mobile email machine.
Best features
Superb screen
Good optical trackpad
Bright, clear screen
Not so good
Poorly located headset connector
Camera lacks features
Check out out BlackBerry Bold 9700 Review image gallery:
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