BlackBerry Bold 9900 Review Philippines - Price, Specs, Release Date, Sample Photos and Video, Verdict
TechPinas Gadget Review Series presents...
BlackBerry Bold 9900
Overview:
BlackBerry Bold 9900, being Research in Motion's current flagship handset, is the most powerful, most lavishly designed and (putting its Porsche edition in another category) the most expensive smartphone from the company as of writing.
With price tag of Php 31,690 without contract, touch-and-type BlackBerry Bold 9900 flaunts a case made of glass, metal and carbon fiber, runs the latest BlackBerry 7 operating system and comes with RIM's top-of-the-line technical specifications including a 1.2 GHz processor, 5 MegaPixel camera with LED flash, 720p HD video recorder, 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen, 8 GB of internal memory, and Wifi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity support.
BlackBerry Bold 9900 is the thinnest smartphone from RIM at only 10.5 millimeters, and it's actually the first to offer a combination of a familiar BB keyboard, an optical trackpad and a touch-sensitive capacitive touch display integrated within a gorgeously designed enclosure.
The new BB Bold 9900 is likewise the first BB to feature built-in Near Field Communication (NFC) support. NFC is a new technology enabling many new capabilities, including the ability to pair with NFC-enabled accessories such earphones or read SmartPoster tags with one tap.
Design, Hardware and Ports:
In true TP fashion, let's do the panels --
The face of the phone flaunts its 2.8-inch 640 x 480 pixels resolution capacitive touchscreen display. Above that, we have the earpiece and the proximity sensor. Below the display, we can find the hardware buttons, optical trackpad and a fretted BlackBerry keyboard unique to BB Bold 9900; FYI, this keyboard is the biggest thumb-type QWERTY keyboard on any BB handset ever released.
At the back, we have the 5 MegaPixel fixed focus camera with LED flash. This camera also takes high-definition 720p videos. We'll also find the glossy carbon fiber battery cover lined by black matte plastic with a slightly rubbery finish for a tighter grip on the phone.
The top panel has the screen lock button, which also turns on and turns off the display. As you can see, the sides of the phone are lined with brushed stainless steel, which not only makes the phone look expensive and elegant but also adds to its overall durable feel.
We have the antenna at the rear, which is marked by a metallic-looking flap of plastic pinned to the phone by screws (Actually, it blends so well with the metal frame, you won't even notice it's plastic.). If you're wondering, it's made of plastic to provide stronger signal.
The right side has the volume up and volume down buttons, and the mute button between them. Below, we have the convenience key, which acts as the camera button by default.
On the left side, we can find the microUSB port and the 3.5mm audio jack.
TP Commentary on BB Bold 9900 Design: For me, BB Bold 9900 is easily the best-looking phone RIM has released. Heck, it's more gorgeous than even BlackBerry Bold 9000 -- and that's already saying a lot. Like what I mentioned in an earlier post, when I look at BB Bold 9900, I feel relieved knowing that the Canadian company has decided to bring grandeur back to the design of handsets under its flagship Bold line. Honestly, I find BB Bold 9700 and 9780 to be quite lacking in this department.
Also, holding the phone and feeling its brushed metal edging and glass display, I'm inclined to believe that RIM wanted this phone to be BB counterpart of iPhone 4. (But that's just my speculation.) I mean, frankly, these are also the design elements - the glass and metal combo - that distinguish the best-selling phone from the Cupertino company from other handsets out there.
Features
Being a flagship release, BB Bold 9900 is expected not just to look good but to also come with the best features RIM currently has to offer.
These are the 3 departments where I think BB Bold 9900 totally excels in:
1. Web Browsing
BB Bold 9900 runs BlackBerry 7 operating system, which comes with a next generation BlackBerry browser that's significantly faster and more fluid. I've tested other BBs in the past, including BlackBerry Torch 9800, and I have to say that - based on my experience with all these phones - BB Bold 9900 really has the fastest browser of them all. Also, being a touch and type device, BB Bold 9900's capacitive touchscreen provides a more intuitive browsing experience as you can scroll faster by just swiping on the screen and zoom in and out of the page using familiar multi-touch gestures.
2. Social Networking and Messaging
Powerful social networking features have truly become a main selling point of BlackBerry handsets. Truth be told, RIM recognized people's need to stay connected on FB and Twitter anywhere they go a bit earlier than other companies and RIM is now reaping the rewards of perhaps being a pioneer in this department. Facebook for BlackBerry, Twitter for BlackBerry, BBM and Social Feeds, which is a new social hub that comes with BB 7 OS, all combine to provide top-notch social networking experience to BB Bold 9900 users.
One of the things I like about the new Facebook for BlackBerry and Twitter for BlackBerry on BlackBerry 7 OS is that they can be accessed over Wifi or 3G even without BIS or BES turned on (something you can't do with earlier versions of these apps). This is a welcome improvement for those who want to enjoy these useful apps but don't necessarily want to spend an extra on BIS because they are always in the office or at home with free wifi access anyway. However, if you're a mobile warrior or if you simply want to have unlimited access to these apps and BBM even in places where there's no Wifi, it still makes sense to activate BIS to make the most out of your BlackBerry since it's still cheaper than unlimited mobile internet access on your phone.
Oh, and another thing: Since BB Bold 9900 has a capacitive touchscreen, using social networking and messaging apps on the phone can't be easier. Instead of using just the optical trackpad to navigate the apps, which can be a bit slow, you can use touch gestures on the display to scroll and select items.
3. Photo and Video Capture
BB Bold 9900 has a fixed focus still and video camera, which means that subjects from a distance of 30 centimeters or around a foot to infinity will always be in focus.
While those who are fond of taking macro or really close-up shots would see this a limitation, I think it's actually a good thing for users who like taking landscape or portrait photos and videos with their phones as fixed focus lenses are - well - always in focus. So unless you're shaking uncontrollably while taking photos and videos, the shots and clips will always come out clear and crisp.
Here are some photos and a video I took using BlackBerry Bold 9900 using automatic settings. And in the spirit of fairness, I'm just letting them speak for themselves. (Again, pardon the lack of - uhm - "artistry" in the photos and the video.)
Verdict:
To wrap this up, I wanna share my quick review of BlackBerry Bold 9900 via my recent guesting at Mornings@ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel)
Needless to say, I love this phone.
And all things considered, I'm giving it 9 out of 10 stars. I'd say if you're a BB fan and you want to level-up and show that you're quite simply a cut above other BB users, then - by all means - get BlackBerry Bold 9900.
--------
BlackBerry Bold 9900
Overview:
BlackBerry Bold 9900, being Research in Motion's current flagship handset, is the most powerful, most lavishly designed and (putting its Porsche edition in another category) the most expensive smartphone from the company as of writing.
With price tag of Php 31,690 without contract, touch-and-type BlackBerry Bold 9900 flaunts a case made of glass, metal and carbon fiber, runs the latest BlackBerry 7 operating system and comes with RIM's top-of-the-line technical specifications including a 1.2 GHz processor, 5 MegaPixel camera with LED flash, 720p HD video recorder, 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen, 8 GB of internal memory, and Wifi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity support.
BlackBerry Bold 9900 is the thinnest smartphone from RIM at only 10.5 millimeters, and it's actually the first to offer a combination of a familiar BB keyboard, an optical trackpad and a touch-sensitive capacitive touch display integrated within a gorgeously designed enclosure.
The new BB Bold 9900 is likewise the first BB to feature built-in Near Field Communication (NFC) support. NFC is a new technology enabling many new capabilities, including the ability to pair with NFC-enabled accessories such earphones or read SmartPoster tags with one tap.
Design, Hardware and Ports:
In true TP fashion, let's do the panels --
The face of the phone flaunts its 2.8-inch 640 x 480 pixels resolution capacitive touchscreen display. Above that, we have the earpiece and the proximity sensor. Below the display, we can find the hardware buttons, optical trackpad and a fretted BlackBerry keyboard unique to BB Bold 9900; FYI, this keyboard is the biggest thumb-type QWERTY keyboard on any BB handset ever released.
At the back, we have the 5 MegaPixel fixed focus camera with LED flash. This camera also takes high-definition 720p videos. We'll also find the glossy carbon fiber battery cover lined by black matte plastic with a slightly rubbery finish for a tighter grip on the phone.
The top panel has the screen lock button, which also turns on and turns off the display. As you can see, the sides of the phone are lined with brushed stainless steel, which not only makes the phone look expensive and elegant but also adds to its overall durable feel.
We have the antenna at the rear, which is marked by a metallic-looking flap of plastic pinned to the phone by screws (Actually, it blends so well with the metal frame, you won't even notice it's plastic.). If you're wondering, it's made of plastic to provide stronger signal.
The right side has the volume up and volume down buttons, and the mute button between them. Below, we have the convenience key, which acts as the camera button by default.
On the left side, we can find the microUSB port and the 3.5mm audio jack.
TP Commentary on BB Bold 9900 Design: For me, BB Bold 9900 is easily the best-looking phone RIM has released. Heck, it's more gorgeous than even BlackBerry Bold 9000 -- and that's already saying a lot. Like what I mentioned in an earlier post, when I look at BB Bold 9900, I feel relieved knowing that the Canadian company has decided to bring grandeur back to the design of handsets under its flagship Bold line. Honestly, I find BB Bold 9700 and 9780 to be quite lacking in this department.
Also, holding the phone and feeling its brushed metal edging and glass display, I'm inclined to believe that RIM wanted this phone to be BB counterpart of iPhone 4. (But that's just my speculation.) I mean, frankly, these are also the design elements - the glass and metal combo - that distinguish the best-selling phone from the Cupertino company from other handsets out there.
Features
Being a flagship release, BB Bold 9900 is expected not just to look good but to also come with the best features RIM currently has to offer.
These are the 3 departments where I think BB Bold 9900 totally excels in:
1. Web Browsing
BB Bold 9900 runs BlackBerry 7 operating system, which comes with a next generation BlackBerry browser that's significantly faster and more fluid. I've tested other BBs in the past, including BlackBerry Torch 9800, and I have to say that - based on my experience with all these phones - BB Bold 9900 really has the fastest browser of them all. Also, being a touch and type device, BB Bold 9900's capacitive touchscreen provides a more intuitive browsing experience as you can scroll faster by just swiping on the screen and zoom in and out of the page using familiar multi-touch gestures.
2. Social Networking and Messaging
Powerful social networking features have truly become a main selling point of BlackBerry handsets. Truth be told, RIM recognized people's need to stay connected on FB and Twitter anywhere they go a bit earlier than other companies and RIM is now reaping the rewards of perhaps being a pioneer in this department. Facebook for BlackBerry, Twitter for BlackBerry, BBM and Social Feeds, which is a new social hub that comes with BB 7 OS, all combine to provide top-notch social networking experience to BB Bold 9900 users.
One of the things I like about the new Facebook for BlackBerry and Twitter for BlackBerry on BlackBerry 7 OS is that they can be accessed over Wifi or 3G even without BIS or BES turned on (something you can't do with earlier versions of these apps). This is a welcome improvement for those who want to enjoy these useful apps but don't necessarily want to spend an extra on BIS because they are always in the office or at home with free wifi access anyway. However, if you're a mobile warrior or if you simply want to have unlimited access to these apps and BBM even in places where there's no Wifi, it still makes sense to activate BIS to make the most out of your BlackBerry since it's still cheaper than unlimited mobile internet access on your phone.
Oh, and another thing: Since BB Bold 9900 has a capacitive touchscreen, using social networking and messaging apps on the phone can't be easier. Instead of using just the optical trackpad to navigate the apps, which can be a bit slow, you can use touch gestures on the display to scroll and select items.
3. Photo and Video Capture
BB Bold 9900 has a fixed focus still and video camera, which means that subjects from a distance of 30 centimeters or around a foot to infinity will always be in focus.
While those who are fond of taking macro or really close-up shots would see this a limitation, I think it's actually a good thing for users who like taking landscape or portrait photos and videos with their phones as fixed focus lenses are - well - always in focus. So unless you're shaking uncontrollably while taking photos and videos, the shots and clips will always come out clear and crisp.
Here are some photos and a video I took using BlackBerry Bold 9900 using automatic settings. And in the spirit of fairness, I'm just letting them speak for themselves. (Again, pardon the lack of - uhm - "artistry" in the photos and the video.)
Verdict:
To wrap this up, I wanna share my quick review of BlackBerry Bold 9900 via my recent guesting at Mornings@ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel)
Needless to say, I love this phone.
And all things considered, I'm giving it 9 out of 10 stars. I'd say if you're a BB fan and you want to level-up and show that you're quite simply a cut above other BB users, then - by all means - get BlackBerry Bold 9900.
| Name | BlackBerry Bold 9900 |
| Type | Touch and Type - Thumb-type Full QWERTY Candybar with Capacitive Touchscreen Display |
| Price Category | High-End (Flagship Release) |
| Dimensions | 115 x 66 x 10.5 mm |
| Weight | 130 grams |
| Available Colors | Black |
| Operating System | BlackBerry 7 OS |
| Display | 2.8 inches (~286 ppi pixel density), 640 x 480 pixels, TFT, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors |
| Processor | 1.2 GHz QC 8655 processor |
| Camera | 5 MegaPixels, 2592x1944 pixels, LED flash |
| Video Capture | 720p |
| Audio and Video Playback | MP4/WMV/H.263/H.264 player, MP3/eAAC+/WMA player |
| Ports | microUSB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio jack |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band, Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP, EDR, NFC, 3G HSDPA 14.4Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps |
| Network | 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 3G Network HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Memory | 8GB storage, 768 MB RAM, expandable via microSD, supports up to 32GB |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity |
| Battery | Li-Ion 1230 mAh |
| Uptime | Standby of up to 307 hours and Talk time of up to 6 hours 30 minutes on 2G Talk time of up to 5 hours 50 minutes on 3G |
| Value-Added Features | Optical Trackpad, BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry Maps, Facebook for BlackBerry, Twitter for BlackBerry |
| Announcement | September 26, 2011 in the Philippines |
| Availability | October 7, 2011 |
| Price | Php 31,690 |
Labels:
BB Bold 9900
BlackBerry Bold 9900 Review
BlackBerry Bold 9900 Review Philippines
Cellphone
RIM
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