User Reviews Send this to a friend
BlackBerry Bold 9700 Phone (AT&T)
 
Manufacturer: BlackBerry
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $499.99
Sale Price: $0.01
Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours
Free Shipping Available
Buy Now
 

Product Description
Powerful and refined, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone for AT&T includes built-in support for both AT&T’s fast 3G network as well as access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network with more than 20,000 U.S. hotspots–including approximately 7,000 Starbucks locations. The Bold 9700 offers fast data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience that lets you connect quickly to social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. And, of course, you’ll enjoy all the communication and connectivity features you’ve come to expect from a BlackBerry phone–including email served up by the BlackBerry Internet Service and a full menu of messaging options (SMS, MMS, and IM).



The BlackBerry Bold 9700 runs on AT&T’s fast 3G network, and it offers free Wi-Fi access to more than 20,000 U.S. hotspots.


Other features include access to BlackBerry App World, a 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera with video capture capabilities, and Bluetooth connectivity for stereo music streaming and PC tethering.
This phone can quickly download video, music and more over AT&T’s lightning quick HSPDA 3G network. Additionally, it offers support for HSDPA high-speed networks (2100 MHz) around the world–enabling you to enjoy voice and data access in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. This GPS-enabled phone can access the AT&T Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions. It also comes pre-loaded with AT&T Visual Voicemail at no extra cost.

Offering top-of-the-line performance and functionality, the Bold 9700 features a sophisticated, high-gloss black finish, chrome highlights and leatherette back. It also includes a distinctive, highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for fast and accurate typing, and an innovative touch-sensitive optical trackpad, which makes for a great navigation experience. And you get easy access to BlackBerry App World, the official app store for BlackBerry smartphones, enabling you to browse and download fun and functional mobile applications to their phone.

A hot-swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot provides additional storage for multimedia files and archiving applications, with a 2 GB memory card included and support for optional 32 GB cards. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, and Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming.

Staying Connected

With BlackBerry’s push email technology, your email will find you without having to initiate a connection. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, notifying you as new email arrives. In addition to the text, you can also receive and view attachments in a wide range of popular file formats, including Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect, and Adobe PDF.

Browse the web with the integrated, full-featured browser, which quickly and efficiently displays HTML pages as well as enables you to set up RSS feeds to stay connected to up-to-the-minute news and blog posts. And keep up with your contacts using a variety of instant message (IM) networks, including the integrated Blackberry Messenger as well as downloadable clients for Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, and Lotus Sametime.

For corporate users, this BlackBerry device delivers all the enterprise email and messaging capabilities you’ve come to expect. It’s supported on the BlackBerry Internet Service, giving you access to up to 8 work or personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts), as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments.

Key Features

  • Fast 3G connectivity via AT&T’s HSDPA/UMTS network as well as compatibility with foreign 3G networks while roaming (850/1900/2100 MHz bands; 3.6/7.2 Mbps speeds with network availability).
  • Quad-band GSM phone for good global voice connectivity (850/900/1800/1900 MHz bands)
  • GPS navigation capabilities via AT&T Navigator service includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options.
  • BlackBerry OS 5.0
  • Support for BlackBerry App World featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include travel, productivity, entertainment, games, social networking and sharing, news and weather, and more.
  • 2.44-inch display with 480 x 360-pixel resolution and 65K color depth.
  • 35-key backlit QWERTY keyboard
  • 3.2-megapixel camera with auto-focus, image stabilization, 2x digital zoom, flash, and geotagging capabilities.
  • Video capture capabilities with up to 480 x 352-pixel resolution for sharing (176 x 144 pixels for sending via MMS)
  • Multi-format digital audio and video player with compatibility for MP3, WMA 9 Pro/WMA 10, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, MPEG4, H.263, H.264, and more.
  • BlackBerry Media Sync is built right into your BlackBerry Desktop Software and lets you sync your desktop iTunes or Windows Media Player music files with your BlackBerry smartphone. If you’re a Mac user, just choose the “media” option and you’re ready to sync your iTunes music collection from your BlackBerry smartphone onto your Mac.
  • Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity with stereo music streaming (A2DP) capabilities as well as hands-free headsets and car kits. Additionally, the Bold 9700 can also be used as a 3G modem for a laptop computer (i.e., tethering) with an additional data plan.
  • Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB. A 2 GB card is included with the phone, and it also has an internal 256 MB memory.
  • Full messaging capabilities including SMS text, MMS picture/video and IM instant messaging (via popular services including AOL, Yahoo!, and Windows Live Messenger)
  • BlackBerry Browser for accessing full HTML Web sites.
  • Organizer tools including calendar, task list, memo pad, and calculator
  • Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off
  • Integrated hands-free, full duplex speakerphone
  • Voice-activated dialing capabilities

Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 weighs 4.3 ounces and measures 4.29 x 2.36 x 0.56 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6 hours of talk time, and up to 456 hours (19 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as AT&T’s dual-band 3G network (850/1900 MHz; HSDPA/UMTS). This phone is also compatible with 2100 MHz 3G networks (HSDPA) in foreign territories.

What’s in the Box
BlackBerry Bold 9700 handset, rechargeable battery, travel charger, USB cable, wired 3.5mm stereo headset, swivel holster, quick start guide, User Tools CD

AT&T Services

High-speed data connectivity via AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband data network: The dual-band 850/1900 MHz 3G network provides up to 3.6/7.2 Mbps of download speed, making it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services, and it gives you the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.

Additionally, this phone is also compatible with 2100 MHz 3G networks found in international territories. (For use outside the United States, an AT&T international data plan is recommended.) When traveling outside the U.S., you can enjoy wireless voice coverage in more than 215 countries and wireless data coverage in more than 185 countries–as well as access ultra-fast 3G mobile broadband services in more than 100 countries.

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you’ll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it’s fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.

The full-featured, premium AT&T Navigator GPS navigation application includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search.

AT&T Visual Voicemail provides an easier way to check voicemail. No more dialing into complicated voicemail menus. Visual Voicemail delivers messages directly to your handset, so you can review your voicemail messages anytime, anywhere, and in any order you choose. Getting to important messages is simpler than ever:
  • Listen to important messages, in any order you choose
  • View name or number of caller who left message
  • Add contacts to your address book
  • Delete messages
  • Call back
  • Reply via text message, email
  • Forward voicemail audio via email or MMS
  • Save voicemail audio to device memory or memory card (store up to 40 messages in the inbox)

AT&T Mobile Music enables you to buy tracks while on the go, access the Napster and eMusic subscription music services, stream music video, discover what’s playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what’s hot with The Buzz music news portal.

Learn More

Technical Specifications

  • Video format support: DivX 4, DivX 5/6 partially supported, XviD partially supported, H.263, H.264, WMV3, MPEG4, Sorenson Spark & On2 VP6(Flash support)
  • Audio format support: .3gp, MP3, WMA9 (.wma/.asf), WMA9 Pro / WMA 10, MIDI, AMR-NB, Professional AAC/AAC+/eAAC+
  • Email support: BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service (POP3/IMAP4)
  • IM client: Yahoo, MSN Live, AIM,
  • USB connectivity: USB port allows charging and data synchronization of the device with a USB “A” to micro-USB “B” cable
  • Bluetooth support: Mono/Stereo Headset, Hands-free, Serial Port Profile, Bluetooth Stereo Audio (A2DP/AVCRP), Dial-up Networking (DUN) and Bluetooth SIM Access Profile (version 2.1)

Product Details
  • Access all your email and messaging as well as social networking sites; full QWERTY keyboard with touch-sensitive optical trackpad
  • AT&T Visual Voicemail and AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspot access included; compatible with optional AT&T Navigator GPS and AT&T Mobile Music
  • Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g); 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; microSD memory expansion to 32 GB; access to personal and corporate email
  • Up to 6 hours of talk time, up to 456 hours (19 days) of standby time
  • What’s in the Box: handset, rechargeable battery, travel charger, USB cable, wired 3.5mm stereo headset, swivel holster, quick start guide, User Tools CD

Video Reviews
No video reviews found for this product.

Customer Reviews
Easily the best Blackberry to date
 
Review Date: November 27, 2009
Reviewer: DeShaun, Brooklyn, NY
As a person who is accustomed to the Blackberry interface, but has minimal experience with some other smart/mediaphones (iPhone, Nokia e71, Nokia N97) I can say with confidence that this is the best phone I have ever handled, and definitely the tip-top when it comes to Blackberry devices.

I upgraded to the 9700 from a Curve 8310, and the form factor is nearly the same. This is a joy, considering the original Bold was a little too large for my tastes. In fact, it’s only a tiny bit taller, and a little thinner. It combines the best of the devices before it: It has 3G like the Bold, a great keyboard like the Tour, and a trackpad like the Curve 8530. They really brought it all together in a way that is perfect.

The keyboard is responsive and provides good feedback, but it quieter than say, the Cuvre’s keyboard. The trackpad might take a little getting used to, but once that awkward phase is over it works like a dream. No more dirty trackballs! It doesn’t light up, but that’s not really a big deal, as the call, send, menu, and escape buttons always stay lit when you are using it, so brushing your thumb over the dark space in the middle is all you need.

Excellent camera with autofocus and very good color balance. The speakers are loud and clear. The screen on this thing is absolutely gorgeous. I didn’t think the additional resolution would make much difference on such a small screen, but it really is head and shoulders above previous models like the Curve. The media player handles a large number of formats and video codecs, which is fantastic, as I found previous models lacking in that department.

It comes with a standard headphone jack and a set of in-ear headphones that are really stylish and easy to use. Also I was pleasantly surprised to find a case that could clip to my belt (as opposed to the slip-in case they used to give) and a 2GB micro SD card already in place.

Battery life is superb: I have done heavy texting/email with my alerts on vibration, and streamed music via Pandora, and it still takes a few days to fully discharge. Excellent.

The browser is faster than previous Blackberry models, but it still needs work. It doesn’t come close to the likes of mobile Safari. However, there are alternate browsers you can use for free, such as Opera Mini.

Texting is a breeze, and it keeps a log of the conversation as if it were a chat in an instant messaging client. It also has visual voicemail, so if you are moving from an iPhone, you’ll still have the feature. Get this phone, you definitely won’t regret it.

From a Former iPhone & Android USER
 
Review Date: November 27, 2009
Reviewer: Always Samsung, New York, NY
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R33POZ1LWX83O7 I’ve been a long time AT&T costumer. I thought I could live without having an actual keyboard when it comes to texting, but after a week without my Sidekick Keyboard - I decided to ditch my Samsung Eternity for the Blackberry Bold 9700.

I was hesitant about purchasing this smart phone because I was never a fan of Blackberry’s (RIMM). I had a BB during their initial boom in the early part of the new millennium. However, the poor browser, poor cell phone network, lackluster screen color, non desirable keyboard, awful battery life, whack OS, & lack of T9 predictive text just couldn’t win me over.

After I realized that I couldn’t text on a touch screen phone, unless it was the iPhone. I decided that I must have a cell phone device with an actual qwerty keyboard, if I expect to survive my text message & email addiction.

I picked up the Blackberry 9700 with my corporate discount and walked away with a nice high end phone at a very reasonable price. I have to say that I really enjoy the web browser on the new BB. You can zoom in & out with ease. I thought no browser could compare to the iPod Safari besides the Android G1, but after getting this device - I can safely say that this browser is also one of the best. Its right behind the safari and G1. Prior models were confined to small screens, thirty-five dollar internet only data plans, and no ability to zoom in or out. You were subjected to a small screen and reading small text till your eyes was squinting like grandmas.

Pros:
3G
New Optical Trackpad (Over the old Trackball)
Big vibrant screen
Threaded Text Messaging
3.5 MM headjack
New OS (Runs a bit quicker without the lag time)
Decent call quality
Excellent new broswer
Mini SD up to 32GB
Use your songs as ringers
Wi-Fi
Personal Email (Up to 10 accounts can be added)
IM
Themes
App Store
My Favs
Full HTML Web Browser (Sometimes)
Excellent Multimedia Player (Accepts every format possible)
Includes 2 chargers (Wall Charger & USB charger)
Includes ear phones and carry case

Cons:
For long time BB users, this device is really just a cosmetic upgrade with a new OS (Flashier Icons)
Micro USB (No more Mini USB)
Video & Camera (3.2 Megapixel as oppose to 8.0)
Cheap plastic rubber casing

Non RIMM Consumer Changes Mind!

For anyone who has wanted a BB but held off on getting one and want an entry level Blackberry at a decent price - this is the model to get. Everything about it is an upgrade. The device is basically the BB Bold with a different casing. The battery life could still use some more juice. With excessive email checking & non stop texting, the phone usually needs a charge after a day and a half of usage (Sometimes i can go a charge for 2 days before a charge so thats not bad). I did set the brightness of the phone to the lowest brightness available and it has lasted for a little over 2 days with no charge needed. Even on the lowest brightness, the screen is still very bright, sharp, & crisp. And i still do unlimited texting & web browsing. However, AT&T doesn’t offer the best mobile minute plans on earth & their data plan is probably one of themost expensive around. They are fully aware that their signal is one of the best & in doing so, make up for it by charging their non-friendly services at non-friendly prices, which usually doesn’t offers an abundant amount of minutes, unlimited data, internet, email, text etc will end up costing you a lot!

Only downside is that AT&T minute and date plans are expensive.
Heavy user and this is the best Blackberry to date!
 
Review Date: November 27, 2009
Reviewer: Hoppaguy, San Diego
As a quick background, I am a heavy user of Blackberries and have owned almost every incarnation. I can say hands down, this is the best Blackberry to date. The screen is high resolution and the overall size of the new Bold is amazingly compact. It is smaller than my old 8310 Curve and much smaller than the previous generation Bold 9000. The most noticeable difference in this new phone is the speed. The processor is much faster and with the 3G capability, it is not as painful to surf the web. While the web browser is still not as good as the iPhones, it is much more useable than previous versions.

Speaking of the iPhone, the sales representative at AT&T kept asking me if I didn’t want an iPhone 3GS instead. I have already owned an iPhone and returned it because of the simple fact that it does not have a QWERTY keyboard. I cannot type with the same speed that I can on my Blackberry. The keyboard layout on the new Bold does not disappoint in that the key layout is slightly tighter than the Curve but you get used to it after typing about 5 messages. If you are a previous Blackberry user that is looking to upgrade, then the new Bold is a worthy of the upgrade. In addition if you are the type of user that wants your phone to handle voice and messaging well, then I would also recommend the Bold as a phone to checkout!
Great Blackberry Device!
 
Review Date: December 12, 2009
Reviewer: Huy Nguyen, San Jose, Ca
RIM’s newest device is the Blackberry Bold 9700 and like many other reviews out there that says it’s the best Blackberry device so far I would definitely agree. The 9700’s form factor is takes after the Curve design. When held in my hands it feels like my old 8310. And prior to my Bold 9000 the Curve 8310 was my favorite Blackberry. It was small, well-built, and it was a Blackberry.

Compared to the Bold 9000 the 9700 feels much smaller. For me, I was so use to the bigger size of the original Bold that when using the 9700 it felt cramped and difficult to type fast. It took me less than a day to adjust by then I was typing just as fast as I was when using the 9000. People with larger hands they will probably prefer the size of the original Bold.

RIM is getting rid of the their trackball and has replaced it with a trackpad. The pad is very similar to the touchpad found on laptops. It sense the movement of your finger as you drag it across the black square pad. It’s very sensitive on the 9700 and it takes some time to getting use to. Anyone who has been using Blackberry’s with the trackball has experienced it getting stuck which could be annoying and or right frustrating at times. With the trackpad there are no moving parts and no reason for your courser to get stuck.

Other upgraded features of the 9700 includes a better camera, 3.2mp camera with auto focus, and an increase in internal memory. The 9700 has 256mb whereas the 9000 has 128. With the all the application on my old Bold I would have less than 20mb of available space at all times. And when I open several apps at the same time I get that dreaded spinning clock. With the 9700 I have plenty of space for my apps and I haven’t experienced any slowness yet. If there’s one thing that RIM can improve on their products is to add more RAM to their devices. It doesn’t require anymore R&D costs. Just up the damn memory. It’s a no brainer. I think all new Blackberrys should come with at least 1GB of memory. Upping the 9700 to 256 is a welcome upgrade, but I wish they would have made a more significant upgrade.

If you’ve used a Blackberry before then you can rest assure the rest of the device is practically the same. With 5.0 OS there are many GUI enhancement but nothing revolutionary. Email and messaging is rock solid as always. Calling with the phone is clear and crisp, and it’s media features are more than enough to get by. Web browsing is unfortunately the same. It’s one of the few things that I wish RIM would improve. Phones like the iPhone, Palm Pre, and those Android devices are years ahead in terms of web browsing. I hope RIM has something up it’s sleeve for web browsing otherwise it’ll get left behind in the case of cell phone dominance, and it’ll be a shame if it was because they neglected their web browser.

If you’re thinking upgrading from an old Curve then the answer is simple. Just do it. The 9700 is better in every single way. But if you’re coming from the old Bold, then you might want to consider its smaller size. Also if you constantly have a trackball that get stuck then the 9700 will solve it. Or if you run multiple apps and find yourself running near empty on your memory the 9700 has double the capacity for your apps. Currently AT&T and T-Mobile are the only carriers in the US that has the 9700, so go to your local store and give it a test run and see how you like it. It won’t disappoint.
Bolder then the Bold - The 9700 Rocks!
 
Review Date: November 28, 2009
Reviewer: Tarun Chachra, Hillsborough, NJ
The Blackberry Bold 9700 is a great new Blackberry with speed that I have yet to see on any model out there. Before this model my favorite was the Blackberry 8900 which lacked 3g capabilities and thus was a little tedious at times. The 9700 truly has everything that you will ever want out of a Blackberry:

* 480×360 High Resolution Screen
* Touch Sensitive Track PAD Which is FANTASTIC (the track ball on previous models was always a problem)
* A new upgraded CPU which makes this device SCREAM with speed.
* 3G and EDGE Cellular Service
* Wi-Fi
* 3.2 MP Camera with Auto Focus, Image Stabilization and a LED Flash.
* A new operating system - Version 5.0.x to be specific.
* Includes a 2gb Micro SD Card for storage of Music, Images, Videos, and Applications.
* Super clear speaker both in the handset and as a speakerphone. Loud and Clear… (Note, the previous bold had stereo speakers, this one does not)
* Micro USB Charging (Industry standard - previous bold had mini-usb)
* Elegant design with leather embossed battery cover

If you are looking to find a negative here then you will not…I have used these devices ever since the first one was introduced in the mid/late nineties and I can say will full confidence that it is the BEST BLACKBERRY I have ever used.

PS: You will see an identical review of this unit for the T-Mobile network…which is the only negative. I am a corporate user and we have both AT&T and TMO….AT&T is the clear leader with this device..

Please ask me any and all questions via the comments system and I will answer them as best as I can.

PS: Quick Note: I have a leather holster for my 8900 - the 9700 fits in it perfectly.