BlackBerry Bold 9800 slider launching in June at AT&T

By on May 14, 2010 at 7:08 AM
Breaking May 14, 2010

While June has usually been strictly roped off as “iPhone month” for AT&T, this year looks like it will be different. A couple of our RIM sources have informed us that the BlackBerry Bold 9800 slider will be making its public debut in June on AT&T. Those dates can slip a bit, but middle to end of June does seem to be what we are hearing. Also, we have confirmed that AT&T has placed an incredibly big order of the new handset, easily exceeding 1,000,000 units. AT&T will have an exclusive on the device (we have not confirmed the length — 3 months, 6 months, etc.) and it will obviously launch with the BlackBerry 6 operating system. If you are a CDMA lover, look for Sprint to get the device in Q4 of this year.

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  • http://infomaticsindia.in kalyani verma

    adada

  • mi_canuck

    F#CK AT&T!!!

  • General Tso Chicken

    RIM is shooting itself in the foot. I’m happy its a vertical slider rather than a horizontal slider but is still ugly. And the “Clam Shell”, OMG, I’m embarrass to own a BB. RIM needs to concentrate on their OS and hire new designers.

    • meske

      You have to realize the base for BB – it’s corporate. They sell security, stability, reliability, and ease of use. All the other “nice” features, like social networking, web browsing, themes, etc. are secondary to it’s primary purpose – e-mail and phone.

      Obviously data is becoming more and more important, so OS 5 and OS 6 are more tailored to allowing those features, and OS 6 should be a big improvement in the feature set, but I still don’t think the true BB corporate function has any real competition from the iPhone or Android (for now).

      • btdown

        RIM can do both, but so far has really not put any meaningful effort into improving the non-business features. I’m old school blackberry, but even I am thinking of jumping ship to droid once the hw options are better and software matures a bit. I have a Bold 9000 now. Unless a spectacular high-end qwerty droid device drops on AT&T within the next 60 days, I’ll probably grab the Bold 9800 slider for another year. After that, I fully expect to jump ship. RIM just has no sense or urgency with their development.

      • Argent

        Exactly! I have a bold and iphone but looking to get a Nexus One but more likely a N2 http://is.gd/cDVIR

  • Anastasiophan

    Too bad this doesn’t have SurePress or else I would have actually switched to AT&T to get it. A touch screen without SurePress is useless imo. Its like having a Computer without a right click!

    • ERR WUT?

      Yeah, that’s why the Storm sold so well. Good idea, wrong implementation, SurePress sucks and everyone agrees on that.

  • rederikus

    I think this phone will prove a big success. Why? It has all the normal BlackBery “goodness”, the standard BlackBerry keybord, touchpad and buttons. Using a vertical slider means that you can still operate this phone one-handed.

    Hopefully RIM have put in a Storm 2 style on-screen keyborad for when you need a landscape keybord entry.

    Many people do not like the RIM OS, I do. No, it’s not perfect but as a long term BlackBerry owner I have no serious problems with the device at all.

    The one thing I really want is that new WebKit browser thoght. Once that is in place I believe that the BlackBerry is a true world-beating phone. Just my opinion, of course.

    Lastly I am glad tha this phone has made it’s debut on a GSM carrier. This means that it will rapidly propagatre to other worlwide GSM carriers. Had it come out initially as a CDMA phone then it would have been limited to just a few carriers.

    • oldbluetooth

      I agree. My kids all have iPhones, and while the browsing is great, my 827 contacts, numerous email accounts and ability for security, make me hope this is my new phone. I have an original Bold 9000, had the Old 8300 Curve before that. I am relatively happy with my BB experience, BUT, we (BB fans) do need to get this upgrade. I bet most folks are like me and use the phone for business AND personal, so yes, I do want some of those consumer bells and whistles too. BB has decided to try and enlarge their market share by getting the even larger consumer sales, but went to market with their dyed in the wool business tool. So here is hoping that the OS6 and webkit hit the mark, for all us BB fans sake.

  • Dragon

    FINALLY! It’s about darn time AT&T got a decent touchscreen besides the iPhone. I’m gettig it. I’m sooooo tired of the inane autocorrects without the ability to input my own autotext, lack of multitasking, a pizz-poor data instant messaging solution, and the leastbintelligent phone design I’ve ever seen putting the primary data-antenna signal opening at the BOTTOM of te phone so it’s covered up when you type. I am extremely ready to get rid of this iPhone and return to BlackBerry assuming their webkit browser doesn’t completely suck.

    I’m looking very forward to getting this phone. Absent something like this, I would definitely jump back to Verizon (I only came to AT&T to get the original BlackBerry Curve).

    I can’t wait for this phone. Portrait sliders are my preference, butbi didn’t like he small screen, cramped keys and cheap plasticky buildnof the Palm Pre.

  • andrew

    I could be tempted to upgrade my Bold 9000 for this. Since the 9000′s release, I’ve been waiting for full-screen touch+keyboard, and finally they’ve delivered. Add OS 6, and it should be money.
    I love how all the haters come out bashing OS 6 when all they’ve seen is a crappy over produced glitzy video of it.
    And for those whining about having 4.6 on their BOLD, where have you been? 5.0 for the Bold has been out for AGES. Bitch at your carrier if they haven’t released it yet, not RIM.

    • oldbluetooth

      Agree, AT&T is very slow in releasing the upgrades, I think my 8300 was upgraded just before I got the 9000. Wish there was a way for RIM to take care of us instead.

      • Pete

        They mainly release upgrades every 18 months…

  • indeed

    RIM is fucking up.

    Instead of trying to flood the market with all of these phones, why not streamline and most importantly….fix your goddamn OS so that it’s not dated by the time it comes out.

    • Tdot34

      How is it dated? Aside from maybe the looks and the browser? The BB OS has been doing stuff for 3-4 years that Apple and Android OS are coming or had just came, out with.

  • S6DRVR

    Its going to be an interesting summer, for me at least. I was set on the Iphone but I think I will wait and watch a few reviews on the two. I have been waiting for a touchscreen, qwerty blackberry. Now if OS6 is everything they say it is were in there. If I wasn’t one of the few people happy with AT&T I would switch and get an EVO.

    “Better Android devices for AT&T please”

    • DJ Megatron

      I’m with you too. I have been with AT&T for about a year and a half and have no problems with them at all. I find it funny when people just say that they have no coverage anywhere. Guess what people, no one carrier will have the best coverage everywhere.

    • oldbluetooth

      Actually, I have been waiting for iPhone to have a physical keyboard, among the other BB like attributes, security, push email, etc. Browser update will help a great deal, like I have stated before, I use my BB for business and for personal use, so I would like the best of both worlds in ONE phone. I think a lot of BB fans are waiting too, looked and android, palm, just not that impressed. Will see the 9800 and the new iPone and go from there.

      • Pete

        iPhone will never have a physical keyboard, Steve Jobs thinks all touch is the future, and I don’t disagree…

      • oldbluetooth

        But I type like crap on my iPod touch when I use it for messaging. I have tried to embrace it, but just seems I am too ham handed when I use it.

      • jwm

        you are dead right apple will never change. They couldn’t give a #$%^& what their customers want just like Jim Jones didn’t care about his followers.

        Lucky that you are with God Jobs, but I don’t. I had an iPhone for a very painful year and went back to BB because it is simply a better phone and has a wonderful keyboard.

        I don’ think this phone will attract iPhone devotees but it will certainly allow BB to keep it’s own customers as the million units suggest.

        I’m a Bold 9000 owner and I’ve been waiting for this device. Was going to switch from ATT but if they have an exclusive they have me because I am getting this phone.

  • don

    they haven’t done a major upgrade to the bold phone in a while. bold 2 I would classify as minor. they need to be out in june so people dont switch to iphone 4g.

  • Kevin

    i wish this was going to Tmobile

    • iMiiTH

      It will, eventually.

  • DaveNYC

    Quick question. If I bought this at retail price, can I use an ATT SIM without getting on contract and be able to use all features? Basically paying month to month. I am on VZW right now and am growing quite irritated at no data and voice, and have been on 1X a lot in LES Manhattan.

    • AT&TAtlantaRegionalVP

      yessir, you can.. Just set up service Month to Month with no contract.. Same prices, you’re just not obligated for a term.

    • justme

      but dropping $450 on the phone

  • Kevin

    i am always confused about this.. can i unlock it and stick a tmobile sim into it?

    • Scott

      Yes, but unless for some reason BB puts the AWS 1700 band in there, you’ll be running on EDGE only

      • Moonbaseone

        EDGE only would SUCK big time, otherwise, if you can get 3G out of this unlocked, I say go for it, if you have the $$$…

  • DaveNYC

    yeah the phone price is true, but being able to change plans and/or carriers depending on my usage over the course of 1 or 2 years should make up for the front end cost of the phone. im not 100% sure this will absolutely work, but right now im on a 900 min BB plan on VZW with a 20% discount and paying anywhere from 120-150 a month and only using 300-400 min. that price is too high to deal with anymore, but the only issue is that 90% of my friends are on VZW so im not sure that my usage would change if im not doing “in network” talk/text.

    not really sure what is best, just wanted to see options, thanks guys

    • Tmogurl

      T-Mobile Even More Plus Unlimited everything 79.99 if you get it unlocked.

      • ERR WUT?

        Yeah, you won’t get 3G with it on T-Mobile though.

      • DaveNYC

        yeah, and one of the points of going GSM is talk/data at the same time, but only on 3G

  • maxpayne79

    good stuff. looks like rim is pretty confident that this slider is gonna get swept up in all the iphone brue-ha-ha. cant wait…hopefully robers will have it in june as well and subsequently so will i, yey :)

  • euGe

    Pretty ugly, IMO

  • Patty

    I’m not sure if it will look great compared to the one in this photo. I’m hoping that it will feel good and solid in the hand. It would be better as well if RIM would create a phone that would have a bigger RAM and faster processor compared to the previous phones. I’m sure this phone will be a hit that’s because of the new form factor, new and improved OS and of course the Webkit browser which was the weakness of the previous models.

  • http://xn----zmcajjd2g4dcbc5b.com مجتمع الجوال

    I only came to AT&T to get the original BlackBerry Curve

  • The Dirks

    WAAAAA!!! RIM sucks, WAAAA!!!! My Iphone has 2 trillion fart apps and your blackberry only has 2, WAAAA!!!! My Android powered super turbo evo 1000000 lets me download porn 500x faster than your blackberry. I just bought a BRAND NEW BOLD 9700 AND I LOVE IT! and I actually think the browser is pretty good, and BBM is da bomb, and the battery dosen’t evaporate like my IPOD, and…………, and the #1 reason I bought it: SO I WON’T BE ASSOCIATED WITH YOU IDIOT BLACKBERRY BASHING APPLE/ANDROIDER’S OUT THERE!!!!!! And I’m also going to buy the new slider when it comes out too just so I can have two awesome blackberries to your one crappy Idroid. Peace out haters.

    • ERR WUT?

      The fact that you say “BBM is da bomb” speaks volumes, but when you say the browser is pretty good you really lose all credibility. Blackberry has been chastised time and time again for their abysmal browsing experience, no one denies that, even the biggest of Blackberry lovers know that the browser is seriously lacking.

      • watson

        actually, have you tried browsing on a bold 9700? it’s way better.

        i am a long-time blackberry user. i switched bb from palm with the 7230, and i’ve had many models since. i have a bold 9700 now, and immediately before that had the curve 8310.

        the web browsing is MUCH better in the bold 9700 than previously. OK, it’s still not quite as good as the iphone, but it’s improved enormously over the last several. the touchpad has also contributed to the improved experience, as has the ability to watch youtube videos.

        are there still content types i can’t access on the bb? yes. but same story with the iphone. (flash, anyone?)

        but the browsing HAS drastically improved.

        i am really looking forward to the bold 9800. I have really wanted the combination of touchscreen and real keyboard, with a nice, big screen.

        sounds like the 9800 is the whole package. even though I just bought my 9700 in january, i might have to bite the bullet and by the new one.

  • The Dirks

    The reason I enjoy BBM so much is because I actually have friends who text me and I don’t have to pay extra for it. The browser works fine for everything I do so I could really care less what you think and if you really want you can come put blackberry 6 on my bold so you can sleep at night. I like my iPod for fun but it’s not nearly as useful as my bold because I have something called a job which requires tools not toys. If all your next gen phones are sooo much better then how does blackberry remain the #1 brand in north America? If you want you can even have my iPod just bend over and I’ll shove it up there with all the other useless crap you feel is so superior to blackberry.

    • kay*sedia

      Hey, “The Dirks” you are a jack arse and appear to know a lot about nothing. Start shoving your iPod in your own body cavity, if you think it’s such a good idea. Clearly you need physo help from a professional.

  • berridiva123

    When buying a smartphone, computer, or any other electronic device I first consider what I am going to do with that device and what I need it to do. My blackBerry Bold 9000 has lived up to its reputation and more as far as I am concerned.

    I also own an iPod Touch. At first it was fun to play with and basically it still is fun to play with, but because of its “play-ability” I don’t take it seriously enough for it, or any derivitive thereof, to be my work device/phone. My iPod Touch never once tempted me to want to own an iPhone. I actually would like to own one of the Android OS devices. I played with the HTC Hero for a little while one day. I liked all the bells and whistles, but all that stuff gets old after a while.

    I am looking forward to the new BlackBerry slider and whatever other new devices RIM comes up with. I agree with those of you who feel that RIM needs to beef up their browser, OS, and video playback quality. But for now – I’m willing to wait. Good things seem to come to those who wait.

    Peace….

  • StevenGlansburg

    So odd that so many people are dissing this phone. It seems like the perfect bridge device to save RIM from slowly falling into obscurity. They have to go touchscreen eventually, which means the screen needs to be big enough to be finger friendly. They need a new finger friendly OS. They need the famous BB keyboard. Which this phone has all of the requirements. Seems awesome to me, if I wasn’t in love with webos, and had a secret love affair with android also I might actually pick up this phone. Only real problem is RIM should have smartened up, realized that they have the majority market share cus they’re sold on all networks, they should never have done another exclusivity. The Storm 2 backfired when Verizon concentrated on Droid advertising. ATT has their golden child iphone. And Sprint and Tmo have loyalty to Android phones as well. So RIMs only hope should have been going after all carriers with this device hoping that current BB Curve, Bold, Tour, Pearl owners would stick with BB. RIM is destined to fall from #1 unless they stop people from going to the next big thing. Cus RIMs time in the spotlight is over, no one is hyping over them.

  • Michael

    Ok wait, time out.. if this is heading to AT&T, WTF is launching on Verizon? I’ve got Verizon and love BlackBerry.. but if we get that craptastic, foldable turd nunchakus that is the rumored clam shell device I’m going to flip. No pun intended.

    If those launch, I’m going to purchase dozens of it just to feed them to elk.

    We’re definitely getting the Storm, but I seriously don’t want a pure touchscreen device.

  • dfairlite

    I am so stoked about this device i could puke, I actually had a dream about it. (yes about a phone.) obsessmuch? anyway, it looks like all the upgrades i wanted. I love my storm but i miss the physical keyboard extremely bad. I need a device that is quicker (like my curve was) to input data, but i like the ease of navigation of the touchscreen. all ifans out there are just pissed their iphone will be yet another step behind. what really cracks me up about apple is how much people like paying 2x as much for 1/2 the hardware. but apple sure has advertised their way into peoples hearts. apple blows and thats all there is to it. :)

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