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BlackBerry Bold 9900 review

6.7/10 AVG.
RATING
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BlackBerry Bold 9900
BlackBerry Bold 9900
BlackBerry Bold 9900
BlackBerry Bold 9900
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6.7/10
Informr score
The BlackBerry Bold 9900 currently has an Informr score of 6.7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 28 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The Blackberry Bold 9900 is the newest touchscreen Blackberry and the thinnest model yet. The phone is constructed out of metal, making for a rugged and solid device ready for whatever might come its way. The 2.8 inch screen is larger than the previous generation of Blackberry and has a higher resolution as well, making for a more pleasant user experience. The QWERTY keyboard offers large and easy to use keys so there is no need to worry about your thumbs typing more than one key at a time.

The Bold 9900 has some impressive hardware under the hood as well. It features a 1.2Ghz processor and a healthy 768MB of memory making it the fastest Blackberry yet. You also get GPS, Wi-Fi, 8GB of extra storage for apps, and a 5 megapixel camera that can also record 720p video. The phone also ships with Blackberry 7, which promises a faster and more robust web browsing experience than Blackberry 6. The whole user interface has been given an overhaul and is easier to use overall with less clutter in the menus and a snappier response in general. However, if you are used to an Android phone or iPhone, the Blackberry 7 operating system may seem a bit behind on the times. It looks and feels dated compared to what the competition has to offer.

Need to know: Blackberry Bold 9900

1. The beautiful new 2.8 inch high-resolution screen is a joy to look at and easy to navigate. (The Good)

2. A fast processor and plenty of memory give the phone a welcome speed boost in just about every way possible, making it the best and most complete Blackberry on the market. (The Good)

3. The Blackberry 7 operating system feels dated and lags behind the competition. Competing Apple and Android handsets are more user-friendly. (The Bad)

4. The app store lacks many of the "must have" apps that are available on the Apple app store and Android Marketplace. (The Bad)


BlackBerry
Operating system
Operating system
BlackBerry
1.2 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.2 GHz
2.8"
Screen Size
Screen Size
2.8"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
1230 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


TelecomTiger
TelecomTiger

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is an elegant phone with simple design and safety measures. The BBM service offers great performance as always. Instant Messaging, BlackBerry App world and many such applications have done justice to this bold series phone. But, with no front camera and less powerful battery...

- TT Gadget Editor, TelecomTiger
TrustedReviews
TrustedReviews

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is just about the perfect upgrade for existing BlackBerry users. The keyboard's excellent, the touchscreen's great and the new software adds plenty too. However, when stacked against the Android and iPhone competition it doesn't quite do enough. A lot of this is simply down...

- Edward Chester, TrustedReviews
Business Insider
Business Insider

AT&T sent us a review unit of the BlackBerry Bold 9900. After a day with it, we feel safe saying the following: If you like BlackBerry phones, you're going to love the BlackBerry Bold 9900. If you're like most people, you're better off skipping it.

- Jay Yarow, Business Insider

It needs a battery that doesn't have to be recharged every day, even wih limited use and few programs running. I got a new battery and followed bell's tips,still no luck. no wonder rim is having problems. Good that they didn;t get a hockey team. If they can solve the battery problem i would be happy. I have had many Blackberrys and would suggest they have a way for purchasers to contact them eg email and they might get feedback on what they should do before they are out of business.
Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor

If I said the Bold 9900 is expensive it would be an understatement. I mean you can buy this if you are a Blackberry fanatic otherwise I see absolutely no rhyme or reason for anyone to switch to such an expensive Blackberry device.

- K. Ershad, Tech Advisor
Digital Versus
Digital Versus

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is the perfect choice for the busy pro, but less impressive multimedia features mean it's definitely not an all-rounder. If you want a wider range of features from an RIM handset, you should look elsewhere in the BlackBerry range.

- Tristan François , Digital Versus


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the BlackBerry Bold 9900 user manual here.


BlackBerry backs up the Bold 9900 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Bold 9900 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact BlackBerry support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find BlackBerry's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
2.8"

The BlackBerry Bold 9900's screen size is 2.8 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1.2 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8655 1.2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
5+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 5+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
8 GB

Internal memory is 8 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1230mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1230 mAh battery. BlackBerry's performance ratings are 12 days standby time.

Bold 9900 Specs

Overview
Release Date August 29, 2011
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System No

Compare BlackBerry Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8655 1.2 GHz
Internal Storage 8 GB
RAM 768 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 1.19 W/kg
Body: 1.03 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
EDGE, HSDPA 14.4, HSUPA
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, DUN, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
2x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, WMV, DivX, XviD
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 2.8 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1230 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Up to 12 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Unknown
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 10.9 x 6.0 x 1.4 cm (4.3 x 2.4 x 0.6 in)
Weight 119 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers No
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY
Navigation Type Optical pad
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS, IM
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voicemail Key: Yes
Any Key Answer: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address
Auto Answer: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, Blackberry Connect
PC Synchronization: OTA
Java Application: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, AMR, WMA Pro, WMA
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, WMV, DivX, XviD
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Viewable document types: DOC, DOCX, PDF, PPT, PPTX, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): BlackBerry Bold Touch, BlackBerry 9900, BlackBerry Dakota
Related Links Manual (PDF)
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