Sprint Makes the BlackBerry Bold 9650 Worldphone Official

It's official: the BlackBerry Bold 9650 will be released by Sprint next month. This high-end smartphone will be the successor to the BlackBerry Tour and give users the ability to make calls in the U.S. and abroad.

The 9650 will have the typical BlackBerry tablet shape with a 2.4-inch 480 x 360  display above an optical trackpad and a small but complete keyboard.

Naturally, it will support Sprint's voice and 3G data network, but will also be one of this carrier's few worldphones, able to make calls and connect to high-speed data networks outside of the U.S.

This model is also going to offer Wi-Fi b/g, Bluetooth, and a GPS receiver.

It will run BlackBerry OS 5 and include a suite of software for email, Web access, calendar, and contacts, as well as business and entertainment applications and location-based services.

More Specs
The 9650's 3.2 megapixel camera will offer a flash, variable zoom, image stabilization, auto-focus, and video recording.

It is going to include a microSD slot and be bundled with a 2 GB card, but this can be easily removed and replaced with one that has up to 32 GB of capacity.

Other features will include a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and a 1400 mAh battery. 

Overall, it is going to be 4.4 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches and 4.8 oz.

Pricing and Availability
The BlackBerry Bold 9650 smartphone is going to sell for $200 with a new or renewed two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate. To purchase, most customers will be required to have an Everything Data plan or a Business Advantage Messaging and Data plan. 

This model will launch on Sunday, May 23.

Verizon is also expected to offer the BlackBerry Bold 9650, but has not yet officially announced this.

Source: Sprint