BlackBerry Bold 9700 Review: Part II

PERFORMANCE

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 has solid performance with no notable glitches or falters during my initial testing. Menu transitions are smooth, navigation with the track pad is nearly seamless. Messaging and call quality has been consistently good so far.

OS and Software
The Bold2 comes with a standard set of software applications with no notable departures over other models. This includes BlackBerry Maps (likely T-Mobile only), DataViz Documents To Go office suite, instant messaging clients T-Mobile My Account, and some games (BrickBreaker, World Mole, Texas Hold'Em, Sudoku, and Klondike). Notably absent from the default software is BlackBerry App World, BlackBerry's answer to Apple's App Store.

The this model also offers Visual Voicemail as standard. Though it will not transcribe voicemail, it will tell you who called and the length of message.

The BlackBerry OS 5.0 software (v 5.0.0.330) performs reliably and offers many upgrades over previous versions.

Wireless
The Bold 9700 is the first BlackBerry from T-Mobile with 3G mobile broadband. Thanks to 3G, wireless coverage does seem improved in my test area, where previously T-Mobile coverage has fallen short.

Like other devices from this carrier, the Bold 9700 offers calling over Wi-Fi networks. This continues to work well, though I have noticed dropped calls when switching from UMA to wireless, and there is notable call quality degradation on stressed Wi-Fi networks.

Camera
The Bold2's camera is vastly improved, though it's only ‘on par' with its contemporaries such as the Storm and Tour. The 3.2 megapixel camera sports flash and video recording (the Bold 9000 only had a 2.0 megapixel camera), and the camera offers auto-focus as well.

Annoyingly however, the camera can only be auto focused by using the right side convenience key. I've had bad luck in the past with convenience keys that have stopped responding over time, and if that's the case the auto-focus feature will be for naught.

PRELIMINARY CONCLUSION

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 will be the RIM's standard bearer for some time to come. After a disappointing offering with the BlackBerry Storm2, it's reassuring to see such a solid performer.

It's smaller, better looking, has a great track pad, and feels more solid than its predecessor. Initially there doesn't seem to be much that it is missing. Indeed it seems that of all the ‘Berries in the store, this is the one I'd have.