BlackBerry Bold

{{Short description|Line of BlackBerry smartphones}}

{{More citations needed|date=May 2023}}

{{Infobox mobile phone

| name = BlackBerry Bold

| image = BlackBerry Bold.png

| manufacturer = Research In Motion

| available = 2008–2013

| discontinued =

| form =

| os = BlackBerry OS

| successor = BlackBerry Q10
BlackBerry Classic
BlackBerry KeyOne

| input = QWERTY

| networks =

| predecessor =

| status = Discontinued

}}

The BlackBerry Bold was a line of mid-range and high-end smartphones developed by BlackBerry Limited. The lineup was launched in 2008 with the BlackBerry Bold 9000. In 2009, the form factor was made more compact with the 9700 and the 9630. In 2010, the 9650 and 9780 was released with BlackBerry OS 6. In 2011, the 9780 was replaced by the 9790/9788 alongside the 9900/9930 series. The 9900/9930 and 9790, which have additional touchscreen displays, released in August and November 2011, respectively.

The Bold family was known for its distinctive form factor, QWERTY keyboard, and typical BlackBerry messaging capabilities with a different keyboard design than the Curve and Pearl series. The Bold series was usually more expensive and had more expensive materials (e.g. leather, soft touch rubber, carbon fiber, metal) compared to the Curve (plastic, glossy), and had higher specifications. There were two basic form factors within the Bold line: the original larger size on the 9000 and 9900, and the compact form factor of the other models.

Early series

= BlackBerry Bold 9700 =

{{Main|BlackBerry Bold 9700}}

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 (codenamed "Onyx") was released on December 18, 2009. While it shares most of its features with the larger models, the difference in the 9700's specifications are as follows:{{cite web|url=http://worldwide.blackberry.com/blackberrybold9700/bold_specifications.jsp|title=BlackBerry Bold 9700 Specifications|access-date=2009-10-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024034533/http://worldwide.blackberry.com/blackberrybold9700/bold_specifications.jsp|archive-date=2009-10-24}}

  • Wi-Fi calling supported UMA (Carrier dependent)
  • Browser – HTML browsing, View Movies/Clips from websites built for mobile streaming, RSS feed support
  • Voice Dialling

Allpre-loaded BlackBerry applications are available on the Bold 9700, including but not limited to: WordToGo, PowerPointToGo, BrickBreaker and WordMole. The Bold 9700 also offers BlackBerry Messenger 4.7 but is upgradable to 7.1 in the BlackBerry App World. By upgrading the OS to version 6.0, a user also automatically upgrades to higher versions of applications.

= BlackBerry Bold 9650 =

{{Infobox Mobile phone

|name = BlackBerry Bold 9650|200px

| image = Blackberry-Bold-9650-Verizon.jpg

| imagesize = 175px

|slogan = Love to be Bold.{{cite web|title=BlackBerry – Bold Smartphones – The Bold BlackBerry Smartphones 9650, 9700, 9000|url=http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/blackberrybold/|access-date=30 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714173717/http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/blackberrybold/|archive-date=14 July 2010}}

|carrier = Sprint Nextel, Verizon Wireless

|available = Sprint Nextel: May 23, 2010{{cite web |title=Advanced Features and Refined Style of BlackBerry Bold 9650 Smartphone Coming to Sprint |url=http://newsreleases.sprint.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=127149&p=irol-newsArticle_newsroom&ID=1417665&highlight= |date=26 April 2010 |access-date=30 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622225037/http://newsreleases.sprint.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=127149 |archive-date=22 June 2009 }}
Verizon Wireless: June 3, 2010 (Online) June 10, 2010 (Retail Stores){{cite web |title=BlackBerry Bold 9650 also coming to Verizon |url=http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20006550-85.html |date=2 June 2010 |work= CNET.com |access-date=30 July 2010}}

}}

The BlackBerry Bold 9650 is part of the 9600 device series which takes design cues from both its predecessor, the BlackBerry Tour 9630, as well as its GSM variant, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 & the BlackBerry Bold 9780. Changes from the Tour include built-in Wi-Fi, 512 MB of onboard storage, and an optical trackpad instead of the trackball. It utilizes a 528 MHz processor, and has a 3.4 MP camera available as an option. The major difference between the 9700/9780 vs the 9650 is that the 9650 is the World Phone Edition that can use CDMA & GSM networks globally; the 9700/9780 only runs on GSM networks. Sprint Nextel announced that they would be the launch carrier for the Bold 9650 shortly after the device was introduced, releasing the phone on May 23, 2010. Verizon Wireless followed closely, releasing the phone exclusively online on June 3, 2010, followed by its retail stores on June 10, 2010. It was released in Canada the week of April 27, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.marketnews.ca/LatestNewsHeadlines/BLOG:BlackBerryBold9650vs.9700-WhatstheDif.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115155254/http://www.marketnews.ca/LatestNewsHeadlines/BLOG:BlackBerryBold9650vs.9700-WhatstheDif.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-15|title=BlackBerry Bold 9650 Release Date|access-date=2011-07-06}}

= BlackBerry Bold 9780 Series =

The BlackBerry Bold 9780 is a high-end mobile phone data device (smartphone) developed by BlackBerry, released globally in November 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.knowyourmobile.com/blog/655759/blackberry_bold_9780_release_date_confirmed.html|title=BlackBerry Bold 9780 Release Date|access-date=2011-07-06}} On September 7, 2011 China Mobile and BlackBerry announced a variant known as the Bold 9788. The 9788 variant is identical to the 9700 except that the 9788 uses a Chinese 3G standard known as TD-SCDMA.

The Bold 9780 shares the same form factor as the 9700, and the only notable differences are an improved camera (5.0 MP vs. 3.2 MP) and double the onboard memory of the 9700 (512 MB vs. 256 MB). Both devices are OS 6.0 capable, with the 9780 having OS 6 already installed. Additionally, the chrome chassis around the older Bold models had disappeared.

BlackBerry 7 series

On August 3, 2011{{cite web|url=http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=5071 |title=Research In Motion Introduces New BlackBerry 7 Smartphones |work=Research in Motion |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323091253/http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=5071 |archive-date=2012-03-23 }} BlackBerry announced their seventh major release of BlackBerry OS. It included several major changes such as universal voice search, support for HTML5, Liquid Graphics and Near field communication. It also has many optimizations which improve web and gaming experiences as well as social network integration as well as some layout changes with some new icons. BlackBerry OS 7 comes bundled with the premium version of Documents To Go. On January 9, 2012{{cite web|url=http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=5308|title=RIM Showcases New BlackBerry 7.1 OS at CES 2012|work=Research in Motion|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520223501/http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=5308|archive-date=2012-05-20}} BlackBerry announced BlackBerry OS 7.1 which allows Wi-Fi Tethering, BlackBerry Tag and UMA calling.

= BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 =

{{Infobox Mobile phone

| name = BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930

| available = {{flagicon|CAN}} August 10, 2011 (Rogers)

{{flagicon|UK}} August 12, 2011 (Vodafone)

{{flagicon|CAN}} August 12, 2011 (Bell, Telus)

{{flagicon|USA}} August 15, 2011 (Verizon)

{{flagicon|USA}} August 21, 2011 (Sprint)

{{flagicon|UK}} August 21, 2011 (O2)

{{flagicon|USA}} August 31, 2011 (T-Mobile)

{{flagicon|AUS}} September 1, 2011 (Optus)

{{flagicon|AUS}} November 3, 2011 (Vodafone)

{{flagicon|HKG}} Sept 7, 2011 (SmarTone, 3, China Mobile, Vodafone, CSL)

{{flagicon|CAN}} Oct 19, 2011 (WINDMobile)

{{flagicon|USA}} Nov 6, 2011 (AT&T)

| successor = BlackBerry Q10

}}File:Blackberry Bold.jpgThe BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 (codenamed internally as "Dakota/Montana", also known as Bold Touch) is part of the 9000 device series. Introduced in August 2011, it is the first of the Bold line to provide a touchscreen. It marks a return to the form factor of the original 9000 and its popular wide-set physical keyboard.{{Cite web |url=http://www.belmonster.net/are-the-next-gen-blackberry-torch-98109860-bold-9930-looking-for-an-audience/ |title=Are the Next-Gen BlackBerry Torch 9810/9860 & Bold 9900/9930 Looking for an Audience? |access-date=2011-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331021415/http://www.belmonster.net/are-the-next-gen-blackberry-torch-98109860-bold-9930-looking-for-an-audience/ |archive-date=2012-03-31 |url-status=dead }} It takes design cues from both its predecessor, the BlackBerry Tour 9630, as well as its GSM variant, the BlackBerry Bold 9700.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/05/02/blackberry-bold-9900-hands-on/|title=BlackBerry Bold 9900 hands-on (update: video)|author=Myriam Joire|publisher=AOL|work=Engadget|date=2 May 2011 }}

  • Thinnest BlackBerry to date
  • Glass fibre Cover for battery compartment
  • NFC technology

The Bold 9900 was launched in Thailand at the DTAC 3G Expo on September 3–4th 2011. Soon after, many users were complaining that the phone was not 100% reliable for daily use as it often "froze" during the use of BBM (BlackBerry Messenger). The browser was also one of the main problems, as the touch was not as smooth as BlackBerry advertised. Both issues were promptly resolved through the over-the-air software releases of BBM 6.0 and BlackBerry OS 7.1, respectively. The Bold 9930 operates on both GSM and CDMA networks whereas the Bold 9900 can only function on the GSM network. However, the Bold 9900 can function in GSM bands that the 9930 cannot use. On select carriers, the Bold 9900 was the first BlackBerry phone to show 3G HSPA+ as "4G".

= BlackBerry Bold 9790 =

Introduced on November 15, 2011,{{cite web|url=http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=5236|title=Research In Motion Expands BlackBerry 7 Portfolio with the New BlackBerry Bold 9790 and BlackBerry Curve 9380 Smartphones|work=Research in Motion|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225221810/http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=5236|archive-date=2012-02-25}} the BlackBerry Bold 9790 follows the ergonomics of its predecessor, the Bold 9780, with an upgraded 1 GHz processor. The camera does auto focus (as compared to fixed focus of its predecessors), but can only produce VGA resolution videos.

Model comparison

= Early series =

File:Blackberry bold 9000.jpg Bold 9000 ]]

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
colspan=2 | Model

! width="22%" | BlackBerry Bold 9000

! width="22%" | BlackBerry Bold 9700

! width="22%" | BlackBerry Bold 9650

! width="22%" | BlackBerry Bold 9780

! width="22%" | BlackBerry Bold 9788

colspan=2 | Image

| File:Blackberry bold 9000.jpg

| File:Blackberry 9700.jpg

| Image:Blackberry-Bold-9650-Verizon.jpg

| Image:BlackBerry Bold 9780 Leather Pocket, Black.jpg

| colspan=2 |

colspan=2 | Announce Date

| May 12, 2008{{cite web|url=http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=1562|title=RIM Introduces the BlackBerry Bold Smartphone|work=Research in Motion|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517012537/http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=1562|archive-date=2008-05-17}}

| October 21, 2009{{cite web|url=http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=2567|title=RIM Introduces the New BlackBerry Bold 9700 Smartphone|work=Research in Motion|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428065332/http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=2567|archive-date=2012-04-28}}

| April 26, 2010{{cite web|url=http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=3906|title=RIM Introduces the New BlackBerry Bold 9650 Smartphone|work=Research in Motion|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105083846/http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=3906|archive-date=2012-01-05}}

| October 27, 2010{{cite web|url=http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=4622|title=RIM Introduces the New BlackBerry Bold 9780 Smartphone|work=Research in Motion|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107123622/http://press.rim.com/release.jsp?id=4622|archive-date=2012-01-07}}

| September 6, 2011{{cite web|title=RIM and China Mobile Introduce BlackBerry Bold 9788|url=http://press.blackberry.com/press/2011/pressrelease-5199.html|access-date=21 April 2014}}

colspan=2 | Display

| 480x320 px 2.6 inch (built on 110 μm pixel) at 221 ppi

| colspan=4 | 480x360 px 2.44 inch (built on 100 μm pixel) at 244 ppi

colspan=2 | Processor

| colspan=2 | 624 MHz Marvell Tavor PXA930{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/389384/blackberry-bold-aka-9000-officially-official|title=BlackBerry Bold (aka 9000) Officially Official|author=Wilson Rothman|publisher=Gawker Media|work=Gizmodo|date=12 May 2008 }}

| Qualcomm MSM7600 @ 528 MHz

| colspan=2 | 624 MHz

rowspan=2 | Memory

! Internal storage

| 1 GB

| colspan=4 | microSD slot only; 2 GB card included

RAM

| 122MB

| 256MB

| colspan=3 | 512MB

colspan=2 | Inputs

| Trackball, keyboard

| colspan=4 | Optical trackpad, keyboard

colspan=2 | WiFi / Bluetooth

| 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 + A2DP

| colspan=4 | 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 + A2DP

colspan=2 | Compatible Networks

| colspan="2" | 2G GSM and 3G HSPA

| 2G GSM, 3G CDMA and 3G HSPA

| 2G GSM and 3G HSPA

| 2G GSM and 3G TD-SCDMA

colspan=2 | Operating system

| BlackBerry OS 4 / 5

| colspan=2 | BlackBerry OS 5 / 6

| colspan=2 | BlackBerry OS 6

colspan=2 | Battery

| colspan=2 | 1500 mAH

| 1400 mAH

| colspan=2 | 1500 mAH

colspan=2 | Weight

| {{convert|136|g|oz|abbr=on}}

| {{convert| 122 |g|oz|abbr=on}}

| {{convert|136|g|oz|abbr=on}}

| colspan=2 | {{convert| 122 |g|oz|abbr=on}}

colspan=2 | Dimensions

| {{convert|114|x|66|x|15|mm|in|abbr=on}}

| {{convert|109|x|60|x|14|mm|in|abbr=on}}

| {{convert|112|x|62|x|14|mm|in|abbr=on}}

| colspan=2 | {{convert|109|x|60|x|14|mm|in|abbr=on}}

colspan=2 | Camera

| 2.0 MP

| colspan=2 | 3.2 MP

| colspan=2 | 5 MP

= BlackBerry 7 series =

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
colspan=2 | Model

! width="30%" | BlackBerry Bold 9900

! width="30%" | BlackBerry Bold 9930

! width="30%" | BlackBerry Bold 9790

colspan=2 | Image

| File:BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900.jpg

|

| File:BlackBerry Bold 9790.jpg

colspan=2 | Announce Date

| colspan=2 | August 3, 2011

| November 15, 2011

colspan=2 | Display

| colspan=2 | 640 x 480 px 2.8 inch TFT LCD (built on 88 μm pixel) at 287 ppi

| 480 x 360 px 2.45 inch TFT LCD (built on 100 μm pixel) at 246 ppi

colspan=2 | Processor

| colspan=2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 2 MSM8255T processor 1.2 GHz{{cite web|url=http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=1693&c=rim_blackberry_bold_touch_9900_rim_pluto|title=RIM BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 (RIM Pluto) Specs - Technical Datasheet - PDAdb.net|work=pdadb.net}}

| Marvell Tavor MG1 PXA940 1 GHz

colspan=2 | GPU

| colspan=2 | Adreno 205

|PowerVR SGX 543 GPU

colspan=2 | RAM

| colspan=3 | 768 MB

colspan=2 | Storage

| colspan=3 | 8 GB Internal Storage
microSD slot

colspan=2 | Inputs

| colspan=3 | Multi-touch touchscreen, volume controls, proximity and ambient light sensors, 3-axis accelerometer, Digital Compass, GPS/aGPS

colspan=2 | Connectivity

| colspan=3 | 802.11a/b/g/n Dual band
Bluetooth 2.1 + A2DP + EDR
Near field communication

Rowspan=3 | Compatible Networks

! GSM/GPRS/EDGE

| colspan=3 | 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

UMTS/HSPA

| 2100/1900/850/800 MHz (RDE7*UW/RDY7*UW) or 2100/1700/900 MHz (RDV7*UW)

| 2100/900 MHz

| 2100/1900/850/800 MHz (REC71UW) or 2100/1700/900 MHz (RED71UW)

CDMA/EVDO

| {{n/a}}

| 800/1900 MHz

| {{n/a}}

colspan=2 | HSDPA

| colspan=2 | 14.4 Mbit/s

| 7.2 Mbit/s

colspan=2 | HSUPA

| colspan=3 | 5.76 Mbit/s

colspan=2 | Operating system

| colspan=4 | BlackBerry OS 7

colspan=2 | Battery

| 1230 mAH Replaceable Lithium-ion polymer battery
12.8 days standby (GSM/UMTS)
6.3 hours talk (GSM)
5.9 hours talk (UMTS)
50 hours music playback

| 1230 mAH Replaceable Lithium-ion polymer battery
12.8 days standby (CDMA/GSM/UMTS)
6.6 hours talk (CDMA)
6.3 hours talk(GSM)
5.9 hours talk (UMTS)
50 hours music playback

| 1230 mAH Replaceable Lithium-ion polymer battery
18 days standby (GSM)
17 days standby (UMTS)
5.2 hours talk(GSM)
5.3 hours talk (UMTS)
33 hours music playback
6.3 hours video playback

colspan=2 | Weight

| colspan=2 | {{convert|130|g|oz|abbr=on}}

| colspan=2 | {{convert|107|g|oz|abbr=on}}

colspan=2 | Dimensions

| colspan=2 | {{convert|115|x|66|x|10.5|mm|in|abbr=on}}

| colspan=2 | {{convert|110|x|60|x|11.4|mm|in|abbr=on}}

colspan=2 | Camera

| colspan=2 | 5 megapixel
4x digital zoom
Flash
HD video (720p) at 30 fps

| colspan=2 | 5 megapixel Continuous auto focus
2x digital zoom
Flash
VGA at 30 fps

References

{{Reflist|2}}