Review: BlackBerry 9000 Bold

BlackBerry Bold Review

Phone rating:

In a nutshell: The BlackBerry Bold is the best BlackBerry yet, although its size and weight mean that its for serious users only. If you're a serious user, you'll love the full keypad, outstanding email support, high-res display with user-selectable fonts, 3G HSDPA, 1GB of built-in memory, WiFi, satnav and many other features.
Best buy: *Free* from Vodafone Business Shop or the Carphone Warehouse or Dialaphone.

At last - A 3G BlackBerry! Whilst BlackBerry is the undisputed king of mobile email, the lack of 3G in its devices was beginning to look very obvious. Enter the BlackBerry Bold, with full support for HSDPA-enabled 3G, making fast data transfer a reality. No more waiting while email attachments are sent!

The BlackBerry 9000 Bold takes the best of everything that BlackBerry has previously produced, and adds in 3G. It's also the biggest and heaviest BlackBerry, so is suitable only for heavy duty users. Weighing 136g, it's very slightly heavier and thicker than the BlackBerry 8820, which it replaces. In practice you can't tell the difference in size between the two devices. Despite its size, it's an attractive design, with its shiny black and silver finish, and some nice curves to (literally) take the edge off its bulk. The benefit of having such a large device is that there's plenty of room for a full QWERTY keypad, so there are no compromises here when it comes to the ease of text entry. The keypad combined with the trackball together provide the best UI that we've seen for serious emailers and texters. We're also delighted to see that BlackBerry have increased the resolution of the display from 240 x 320 pixels on previous models to 480 x 320 pixels on the Bold. With a 65,000 colour transmissive TFT LCD and user-selectable font sizes, this gives the Bold one of the best displays available, with only the iPhone offering a higher resolution.

The advanced phone features include a speakerphone and conference calling. With voice activated dialling and a Bluetooth headset, it's capable of fully handsfree operation.

Email is BlackBerry's forte, and the Bold fully supports all email standards:

• Push email (messages are delivered automatically to your smartphone and you can be notified as soon as they arrive)
• Works with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for Microsoft® Exchange
• Works with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for IBM® Lotus® Domino®
• Works with BlackBerry® Enterprise Server for Novell® GroupWise®
• Integrates with an existing enterprise email account
• Integrates with existing personal email account
• Integrates with optional new device account
• Web-Based Email Access (AOL Mail, Windows Live Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo! Mail)

You can view attachments in the following formats: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, WordPerfect, HTML, zip.) WordToGo and SlideshowToGo let you edit Word and PowerPoint files. Security is given full attention, with password protection and a keyboard lock, plus full support for encryption when using BlackBerry Enterprise Server to access data.

The Bold also incorporates some fun features, in particular the camera and media player. The camera is rated at just 2 megapixels, so this is no replacement for a digital camera, but it can take snaps and video clips. The media player offers light relief between meetings, and can play music and videos. Software is provided for ripping music off CD's and for synching your phone with your PC. In common with previous BlackBerries, there's a 3.5mm headset jack, so you can plug in any third party stereo headphones - a feature that's still surprisingly rare in the mobile phone world. GPS navigation is also included, and works with Blackberry Maps. This is another welcome feature, and can in principle be used as satnav for a car, but perhaps a more obvious use is navigating around a city by foot or public transport, as most Bold users probably already have a proper satnav system in their car.

BlackBerry have also done the right thing when it comes to memory, equipping the Bold with a full 1 GB of built-in memory, plus 128 MB of flash memory and the ability to expand this further by adding a microSD memory card. This gives plenty of space for storing and working with data, and is what a device of this power needs.

Connectivity options include WLAN (802.11a/b/g), as well as Bluetooth 2.0 and USB.

The battery life is not quite as long as the BlackBerry 8820, due partly to the larger screen, and partly to the fact that it's a 3G phone. However, we don't anticipate that this will be a major problem, provided that you charge the phone regularly, and condition the battery properly at the start.

All things considered, we love the BlackBerry Bold. It was fairly obvious what BlackBerry needed to do to bring their devices bang up to date (add 3G, a higher resolution screen, more memory and a faster processor), and they've done precisely that. The result is a brilliant communications device and all round PDA. Highly recommended.

Features of the BlackBerry Bold include:

• 2 megapixel camera with LED flash and video recording
• LCD display: 480 x 320 pixels, 65,000 colours
• Media player (Supports MP3, WMA, MIDI, AMR-NB, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, 3GP formats plus partial DivX support)
• Messaging: SMS, MMS, instant messaging, push email with attachment viewer
• Built-in speakerphone
• Voice dialling
• Voice memo recorder
• MP3 ringtones / 32 voice polyphonic ringtones
• GPS with BlackBerry Maps
• Personal organiser functions
• Vibration alert
• Internet: Web browser, RSS feeds, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA (3.6 Mbps)
• Connectivity: WLAN, Bluetooth 2.0, USB, RIM wireless modem, 3.5mm stereo headset port
• Memory: 1GB on-board + 128 MByte flash memory plus microSD memory card slot
• Size: 114 x 66 x 15 mm
• Weight: 136g
• Quadband GSM (1900/1800/900/850 MHz) plus UMTS (2100/1900/850 MHz)
• Talktime: 5 hours
• Battery standby: 312 hours

BlackBerry Bold Consumer Reviews

Love your mobile? Hate it? Please share your experiences to help other people choose the phone that's best for them. Please do not review this phone if you have not used it. This is a review site, not a forum, so please don't just ask questions. Please do not use swear words or offensive language, and please, no advertising!

Average rating from 20 reviews:

Reviewed by steve kilpatrick from scotland on 19th Nov 2008
My bold is on Orange network In edinburgh it seems to cut out a lot due to bad signal, My previous nokia no problems. Its good for getting my emails forwarded and texting. Not good for forwarding peoples details to others ie "business cards" . Camera is poor but i new it was not as good as the nokia 95 before i bought it. Key pad is abit footery to begin with but you get used to it after a few weeks. Regards steve
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Reviewed by Matt Brown from Uk, Essex on 16th Nov 2008
I am a proud of the Blackberry Bold (9000) which I purchased on the 13th November (the day it was finally released on t-mobile). The phone is as sexy in person as it is in pictures. The size is quite big but the weight of it makes you not be put off by its size as its suprisingly light. The features are great as you would expect from BB and with the addition of wifi, 3g, refined QWERTY keyboard, high res screen and fantastic multimedia modes you will fall head over heels in love with this device. The Bold is very similar to the Storm, which I have had the honor of playing with, and I found both devices GREAT though my personal preference is the Bold as I don't think I could consistly use touch screen (I get tired of using my itouch as it is!). The reason for the long wait for the phone to be released on t-mobile is simply because t-mobile like to see what faults may occur on the phone via other service providers so that they can fix these problems first then make them available to thier customers. Though this can be extremely annoying when you have been waiting MONTHS for the Bold (like I have) you have to appreciate the fact that when you get it you dont have to worry about having to take it back to the store when the phone wrong in a matter of days. GREAT PHONE and HIGHLY recommended for anyone who is a BB fan already or looking to see what all the hype is all about!!!
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Reviewed by Rudiger from Australia on 14th Nov 2008
The Bold is my 5th Blackberry (nothing wrong, just upgraded each time). I set these things up for a living and needed to get a bold as many of my clients have them. I really like the phone, especially for WiFi. But I have to say I love my Curve.Just certain things about it really clicked. I will keep the Bold for a week or two and see if I warm to the interface. Would love to know how to set the clock to gon on automatically as I dont wear a watch. The hone itself is stylish and has many great features. Was simple to setup on my BES and the keyboard is just devine even compared to my Curve (which I loved). I am on Vodafone in Australia and their service is good. I am with them as they have great capped plans. As I tell anyone who contemplates a Blackberry or an iPhone. The higher email is on your list, the more you lean to a BB. NO ONE does email like BB. So hoepfully the Bold will pan out, but I am an extreemely heavy user of all functions, so it will want to pan out well pretty quick.
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Reviewed by Adam Toms from UK on 14th Nov 2008
hello everyone this is the best blackberry i have owned its amazing, to enhance batery life make sure gps is off, and also press and hold mute button sets it into standby mode, and i have noticed an extra day or so battery life, im getting 4days out of it. It's amazing!
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Reviewed by Mark from England on 7th Nov 2008
Hello Guys, Have to warn you away from Orange, Had the phone from launch, had numerous signal dropping problems, as it was my first blackberry, they told me that is unique to the Blackberry ( i know i am an idiot for believing them. Things got worse with the phone, all Orange would do is give me a curve until it is fixed and then replace it. That was 4 weeks ago and heard nothing and get fobbed off on the phone. I have no idea how long Orange can do this to me. But my point is.. dont buy it from Orange, as other comments say, i have read there is no problem with Vodaphone network and the phone really is good apart from this major issue. If anyone wants details then happy to oblige.
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Reviewed by Ben Derkink from The Netherlands on 1st Nov 2008
I have the Blackberry 9000 but I have had already twice the Screen of Death (App Error 205) with the Reset, even after removing the battery the BB Bold does not boot up anymore. Vodafone has exchanged the device but the problem reoccured when I am trying to synchronize the Blackberry with Outlook it starts fine but never ends... The outlook.pst file is very large 166 Mb, theoretically the 9000 should be able to handle this but apparently the device goes on tilt and locks completely up. Does anyone have similar experiences ?
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Reviewed by M19DUT from UK on 29th Oct 2008
Just to echo a few previous comments - Do not go to Orange for this device. This is my 3rd Blackberry. I have owned the 8707 and 8320 both on Vodafone and now the Bold with Orange. A selection of problems experienced so far: 1) Constant dropped calls whilst in a perfect signal area. The worst instance - 12 dropped calls in 9 minutes. 2) Random disconecting from the wireless network - and not reconnecting until I do it manually. 3) Random hard resetting without any input from me. Orange have run a diagnostic test on my device and advised me that it is faulty. But they won't have their stock replenished until some time in November. The call centre told me it was the stores responsibility to fix because I didn't take Orange insurance. The store told me it was the call centres responsibility to fix as the handset was more than 28 days old. Needless to say the complaint is ongoing. To sum up - Without these issues (Which appear to be unique to Orange from discussing with other Bold users) this is the best BB I have owned and would not hesitate in pointing colleagues or friends in the direction of Voadafone to buy one.
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Reviewed by Arran from UK on 28th Oct 2008
I got this phone the other day on Vodafone and apart from a few initial set up problems I am very pleased with the phone. By set up problems I mean getting the email feature and other applications working without the phoning customer service was almost impossible. Like I said, after sorting out the initial problems the phone is working superbly and I wouldn't contemplate changing it. The phone and internet are fast, its easy to use and the features are both endless and superb. All in all a top notch phone, I'd recommend it to anyone.
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Reviewed by Jon from Bolton UK on 27th Oct 2008
Keyboard and screen brilliant. Everything easy to use. Phone has dropped out a number of times but mainly due to lack of gprs signal. Orange enabled everything ok but it took a couple of days. Email on the go from AOL is excellent, GPS is useful but a little fiddly at first. Battery doesn't last too long when using the device for extended periods or showing off but can be charged from USB so no great problem.
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Reviewed by Paul from England on 23rd Oct 2008
Had this phone for 3 days now and it has crashed 4 or 5 times, the battery life seems to be quite poor, needing daily charging, i really want this phone to be good because it looks great and as all the other comments point out, the keyboard is great for e-mail and text. I am using the phone with Vodafone so get great coverage for calls, although it sometimes is slow to connect to WiFi. I think i will carry on for a few more days.
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Reviewed by Craig from England on 21st Oct 2008
Firstly this phone is locked to vodafone and I have a feeling most of it's short commings are linked to their braned software. I have had this phone since Thursday and so far it has dropped more calls than I can count with it's record being 7 in 1 20 minute call. It has crashed 6 times requiring the battery to be removed to restart it finaly completely dieing with the "app error 205" this morning. Wifi only works with secure networks refusing to connect to open networs at all. GPS can only be used if you are connected to vodafones email plan (£15 a month) with no way according to their help desk to access it any other way.
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Reviewed by BG from Sydney on 16th Oct 2008
This is my third BlackBerry - have had the Bold for five weeks without issue. Many good refinements to previous model but battery life could be better. Overall a good improvement and a great asset for business.
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Reviewed by Howard from Southend-on-Sea on 14th Oct 2008
I brought the bold the other day from O2, what a fantastic mobile. The Bold is pretty faultless to be honest as it does everything i need plus more. Looks distinct and very trendy. Slightly annoying pairing bluetooth with rival phones trying to send mp3's and pics! In the end i had to do it via my laptop. Its my first Blackberry so i spent most of 2 days toying and getting my head round the settings. Only one minor issue, but not major... i wish the speakers were slightly more powerful & better quality, at times they seem tinny. On the whole a very smartphone! No pun intended lol
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Reviewed by Steve from London on 14th Oct 2008
Top tip, if you want a Bold 9000, SIMPLY..... do not go Orange!!!!!!!!!! nuff said. [Editor's comment: Steve, thanks for your review, but do you really think it's "nuff said?" I'm sure our readers would like to know what is wrong with Orange's Bold!]
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Reviewed by david whidden from Fordingbridge. UK on 12th Oct 2008
Had this a few days now, very pleased with the purchase,i find the texting so simple and even has spell check, great battery life, no problems with crashing but have the latest 4.6.0 126 version.Screen is a good size with excellent colours.takes a few hours to get your head around the settings ect unless you are ofay with blackberry. To sum up great mobile device
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Reviewed by Bill Jones from UK on 8th Oct 2008
Great phone. Absolutely fantastic. Reliable - perfect. Great phone. Who wouldn't want one?! Really?! Email on the go, brilliant, couldn't do without it. This phone IS GOD! Yeah! That's how good it is, really! You actually do really want one, I mean, who wouldn't?! Buy it! Now!
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Reviewed by Daren Jackson from UK on 18th Sep 2008
I was really looking forward to this phone. Had it for two weeks and then sent it back. The issues I had were: 1)Battery life (having to charge it daily), 2)Reliability (white screen of death - 4-5 times a day), 3)Email delay (Pop3 emails delayed by 8-24 hours). As I didnt have a BES server I am sure that I am not being able to utilise the full potential of the phone but the reliability factor means there is a definite question mark over userbility.
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Reviewed by Chris from UK on 17th Sep 2008
Mmmm....for starters this my second one in a space of a week due to problem's with dropping calls. (something to do with it's 3G connectivity) Also mine has crashed a number of times and Orange apparently going to end support for Hotmail and the fact there is no support for 3rd party sites ie Youtube. This is not good so it's time for me to move on to new pastures. Nice idea but not working for me...
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Reviewed by Anthony Stockman from UK on 17th Sep 2008
I've had dozens of phones, but each one always has a snag - even the Sony Ericsson C902 (fiddly key pad, but otherwise great). this machine is in a different league.I have it sync'd to Outlook and it does just about everything from e-mail to pics, music and tea making. I like the size and the fact that the qwerty keypad makes texting or e-mail a doddle. (In fact they could even make it bigger and I'd still like it). Has lots of little features - like 'auto correct', when you mis-spell or leave out an apostrophy and holding down a key gives you caps from low case. GPS works really well and the camera does a useful job for a 2 megapixel. another brilliant feature is the way it switches off when you slide it into the hard leather protective holster, but wakes up when someone calls. I can't comment on reliability. It does appear to have crashed once, which switching it off and on again put right, but it's only a month old. Only time will tell. The downside is the battery life is not that hot, but I am told the battery is faulty and is being replaced at the time of writing this. The other problem is with Orange - in that the signal is poor. A mate of mine has a different service provider and doesn't have connectivity problems. Overall, this phone is just light years ahead of the opposition. As a business tool, it has no peers.
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Reviewed by Gee from UK on 16th Sep 2008
Takes a bit of time to get used to the functions such as the bluetooth and setting up the ringtones. Setting up and using email is very very easy. Has an excellent sync system with I Tunes letting you to add your songs easily. Although it only has a 2mp camera the picture is I would saw very good quality. Screen is a good size with excellent colours. Bad points I would say are the size..a touch too wide, also on Orange connectivity problems on 3G and dropping calls, silly but annoying things like the voicemail icon staying on screen. Once syncd with Outlook this is a classy device which in my opinion walks over the i phone!!
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You can read more BlackBerry Bold reviews at RecommendedBuys UK.

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