Help! Should I get a Blackberry Bold 9700 or wait for HTC Desire?

[bsodmike]

Hi folks,

I've been using my iPhone 3G for the better part of a year and it will be mainly used for personal calls, twitter, faceache etc. What I need is a second phone (on a different number too) for business use.

Of the people I've asked, most seem to be saying "Berry FTW" but... I like the Android OS and would even like to have a play with the SDK developing some apps etc. It's after all JAVA+XML, mainly.

The problem is I will be making the purchase next week and am so far leaning towards the Bold. Any thoughts?

[binbin]

The screen is now among the most high-res in the BlackBerry world, as it stands at a Magic-matching HVGA resolution. It's also supposed to have a light-sensing display, but the Bold 2 9700 seemed confused about that function, constantly upping the brightness of the screen when light conditions don't seem to change.

[unreal]

I just got a HTC Hero mike! This thing is a big big big step beyond my Pearl 8120 - but then again so is the Bold 9700 (but I've not used that, only the Bold 9700).

I went on this purely based on my budget, and by no means is it a bad phone! I think what will appeal to you the most is the 2.1 update coming soon and the pure customizability and programming for this thing. The Blackberry is a relatively closed environment really. But saying that, I think the 9700 would still be very nice and slick for business use so the choice is also pretty subjective to what you really think you'll be putting the phone through.

[MaddAussie]

Ive just got a Bold 8520 and am loving it, just seems to work with out any faffing unlike the HTC Diamond it replaced

[bsodmike]

Thanks for the advice all; I think I'll get the Bold if I see one at the airport - if not, later on during next week

[jimborae]

Personally I'd go for the Desire if you can wait or if you don't need so much power then definitely the Legend.

Had a play with a Legend the other day and it's very nice, the size is much better in the hand than my Nexus1 and of course SenseUI is great; it really is a worthy successor to the Hero. Add to that that you get hackability of Android and you're on to a sure fire winner. Currently running an Alpha HTC Desire rom on the nexus1 and it's very good.

[unreal]

Yeah I actually agree, you would love this phone for its elements of customizability, hacking, etc.

I tried to explain this phone to a friend who had no idea what it was, and I said - to me -; that it's like a direct cross between a BlackBerry & iPhone - and not just concerning software and GUI. I mean, you even got the multi-touch touchscreen and a trackball!

[Singh400]

HTC Desire man. But then again, I'm bias. HTC could bring out a brick calling it the HTC Super-Duper-Fone, and I'd fap over it (much like Apple fans).

And I only say the Desire, because the amout of hacking you can do to customize it. However, if the Berry fits your needs better. Go for the berry then.

[darkghost]

Seeing as you already have an iPhone for personal use (decent touch screen, loads of apps) - then then Blackberry is your best option as a business phone - especially if you plan to send lots of emails.

[Stringent]

Also have a look at the Nokia E72, its a decent device, and I prefer the key spacing on it to the BB.

[unreal]

He already got a Nexus one, haha.

[Crazy Fool]

im in the same boat, o2 have stiched me up on the upgrade front so i need to leave, but trying to find the best deal on the BB 9700 or wait for the HTC desire

[DeludedGuy]

If you really want a business phone get the BB9700, there is nothing better for emails, believe me. My mother has the Nokia E72, which is a great phone, there is no denying it, but the Bold 9700 handles emails much better, and its not just the BIS I am talking about, but the way the emails are displayed. The BB 9700 also has a better calendar and IMO the keyboard is superior, even though I was used to the Nokia E71 keyboard I found the BB 9700 better.

I do miss not having a touch screen sometimes when dealing with the media applications, but then again it’s not a real problem, and since you already have an iPhone I cant see why you would want something similar to it.

The battery life is great, I get about 3 days with heavy use (40 mins a day playing music + 3-4 hours of games and browsing the net + lots of messaging and 1 hour of talking) and lots of useful apps, especially business apps.

If you really want the best of both worlds I would suggest waiting for the Bold Slider coming out sometime in the next few months.

im in the same boat, o2 have stiched me up on the upgrade front so i need to leave, but trying to find the best deal on the BB 9700 or wait for the HTC desire

o2 were a pain in the arse this year, I only stuck with them becuase I have a £5 discount on my internet service otherwise I would have left. I still managed to get a decent deal when I asked for my PAC code, just go through to the retentions team.

[Barrichello]

Blackberry Bold all the way!

[Crazy Fool]

i bit the bullet bagged a 9700 on orange. 600 min, 500 txt's unlimited BIS & internet, £35 per month on a 18month contract with £210 cash back = £23.33 a month - well pleased!

going from o2 to orange - i hope the service is as good!

[muppet_hat]

I have the Bold 9000, my gf has the Bold 9700. Trust me... I have concluded.... North American based phone companies.... SAD TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION..... The 9700 came out what... few months ago? 3.2 mega pixel camera? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? Okay... I've used the 9000 for a while now, and the truth is the push mail is GREAT, but that's it.... full qwerty? Great, but many phones have that now adays too...

Wait for the HTC Desire.... telling you man... if you can't wait... Nexus One. I played iwth my friends HTC Hero.... and man oh man... I was thrown off... I thought iPhone was the only one with such great touch... HTC has caught up man... maybe they really did steal patents for their touch system hahaha... thats why apple is sueing them LOL. But seriously... HTC is going to overthrow apple man... just a matter of time! Asian companies are much more competitive. And since iPhone is only ONE of Apple's division of interests. HTC (phone market being its only) will most likely have more time and money to focus on R&D and surpass Apple!

Android has large prospects! I looked into canceling my BB subscription from three, but I'd have to pay a hefty fine for not filling up the 18 month contract.... I still have 1 year to go... sigh... might just end up canceling my contract when the Desire comes out