Sprint BlackBerry Bold 9650 Review

By on May 31, 2010 at 8:02 AM
Featured May 31, 2010

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Ah, a Tour owner’s dream. The BlackBerry Bold 9650 started life out as the BlackBerry Tour2. It then went through a late-stage metamorphosis and received a memory upgrade and name change for a couple of different reasons. One of the reasons is to utilize a positive product name RIM has built (the Bold line), and another would be to prevent hundreds of thousands of angry BlackBerry owners from practically taking over the entire city of Waterloo, Canada. You see, the BlackBerry Bold 9650 is what the Tour should have originally been, and by releasing a Tour2 under a year from the original device’s debut would be straight up insulting. RIM killed two birds with one stone by renaming the device to be a Bold, continuing a successful device brand, and also trying to not completely obliterate an existing handset (even though the Tour 9630 will certainly be end-of-life’d very, very quickly). So is the BlackBerry Bold 9650 the best in the biz? You’ll see soon enough, after the jump of course.

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We have been playing with the BlackBerry 9650 on and off for a couple months, and now that we have an official unit from RIM and Sprint, we’re able to effectively judge the handset. Instead of doing a traditional review, we figured since the device really hasn’t changed so dramatically from the original BlackBerry Tour, we’d put our likes and dislikes into different sections.

Likes:

  • Durable, solid construction and hardware.
  • Great keyboard as always.
  • Sounds great as a phone, great reception, perfect voice performance with calls.
  • Much faster than the original Tour 9630, no real slowdowns or hangups in the OS, and a much speedier overall experience thanks to a newer and faster processor.
  • Wi-Fi — obviously.

We love the solid hardware that RIM has been known for. It definitely shows in the BlackBerry Bold 9650 and it’s a real work powerhouse.

Dislikes:

  • The raised trackpad, menu, send, BlackBerry, back keys (they are raised up beyond the keyboard and are a little too high).
  • The terrible music speaker on the phone. It’s on the left side, and is a single speaker with a single opening in the case compared to 3 openings in the BlackBerry 9700 case. Sound sounds muffled, and the volume is pretty low. Overall, it’s kind of disappointing. Note: the speakerphone sounds great, we’re talking strictly about music/audio playback.
  • The camera lens is still recessed so it can collect dust and isn’t cleaned easily. It would have been great for RIM to make the entire cover go over the camera lens so it would be flat and thus easily accessibly/wipeable.
  • The phone is large in size and feels pretty outdated compared to sexier, even on carrier alternatives.

At the end of the day, this is what the BlackBerry Tour should have been. RIM’s hardware roadmap seems to be 1-2 years behind other mobile smartphone powerhouse manufacturers (that is being generous), and the BlackBerry Bold 9650 demonstrates this. The device is incredibly solid, but it’s overly large, especially when compared to a sleeker, sexier BlackBerry Bold 9700 sitting next to it. With phones that are pushing CPU speed barriers at 1GHz and beyond, RIM’s using an estimated 500MHz CPU here with 512MB of RAM and no internal storage. And that’s not exploring the truly ancient operating system that powers it.

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The handset itself just straight up feels outdated. It’s a logical choice for a CDMA user, but we can’t help but feel like this device really doesn’t belong in a 2010 lineup. This is a great BlackBerry, and if email is your life, great. If not, there’s not too much we can say the BlackBerry 9650 offers over competitors on Sprint or Verizon. HTC’s EVO 4G and the HTC Droid Incredible (yes, they are two Android handsets) are miles ahead of this device, and unfortunately we’re not sure we’d recommend this handset over one of those except in extreme scenarios.

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  • Agent Smith

    I have had all sorts of blackberrys. My first smartphone was a pearl. Since then I have owned 3 curves, storm and bold. I was loyal to blackberry. I loved the device. But hundreds of dollars and many years later I am holding a device in my hand that’s an upgraded pearl. It hasn’t changed. And that is what’s bothering me. You want my 300 to 400 bucks? Well give me more than a pearl repackaged. Blackberry messenger is nice, buy there has to be more to a smartphone than just a built in IM app. I will miss all my bbm friends, but if there is an android device with a keyboard in the future, that’s where I’m headed. And if your on Tmobile like I am you get nada. Ohh. Bold in white. Yippeeeeee! Give me a touchscreen bb with keyboard on 4G with all the bells and whistles and I will pay for it. FULL web browser is a must. {Agent Smith}

    • SunnyB

      Agent Smith YES!

      So I Rock the HTC Hero on Srpint right now. I like it but the core functionality lags sometimes like making a call or doing basic tasks (and that is with the latest 2.1 software). Do you think there is someway to merge the solid BB hardware, battery life, and keyboard…with Android and its advanced features and a touchscreen? Looking at something like an Android Evo 4G, BB Bold, Samsung Intrepid remix. I would be all over it.

  • Mark

    Reading through Crackberry forums many are posting battery door movement like was on 9630 topping that off with crooked track pads.
    How sad its loyal shovel out their hard earned money for such bad quality product making excuses for it.

  • Reactor4

    I’m might as well jump in the cesspool with everyone else.

    I have an Iphone and HTC Desire and and Blackberry Bold. I live in the US and had a Desire sent over from the UK. I know it’s just a Nexus 1 with any optical track pad.(blah blah blah)

    Want to watch movies play games send a drunk txt at 2am? Get an Iphone or any android phone. But, if 2 way txt or email is important to you than the BB really can’t be beat. The blackberry will rule the business world until Mac or Google come out with something like the BES so company’s can have control on the devices they are paying for.

    • http://www.lowerpriceresumes.com Business Woman

      I completely agree as a small business owner. For now, the BB is the only phone for me. I need email, text, and messenger. And I need it NOW and QUICK. The BB is the only phone that will give me the speed, efficiency, and end result I am looking for.

  • mi_canuck

    pretty much conclusion after owning a 9700, switching to a 9650 (tried out Sprint – what a mistake!!!!!!) and back to my beloved 9700…

    9650 is second rate compared with the 9700… not to mention that shitty CDMA tech it’s associated to….

  • mi_canuck

    … and I actually found the 9650 to be ‘laggy’ compared to a 9700… very subtle, but it’s there… seemed like always a tiny delay when scrolling with the 9650, either the cursor, or pages, could be a trackpad sensitivity issue… I dunno for sure, but the 9700 feels MUCH snappier and smoother than the 9650, despite the latter having twice the app memory (512 vs 256 MB)…

  • Joe

    @ mi_canuck

    this seems to contradict what you say over at crackberry forums. In fact, you praised the device, and just knocked sprint…

    what gives?

  • blk330ed

    I’ve been a loyal blackberry user for a while…way back to the old skool 6280…and I’ve been thru every major updated blackberry since on every network possible..hell I used to sell the bloody things…and I can honestly say that my 9630 on sprint is pretty good update from my curve and bold 9000 from a size and feature standpoint…I have used the 9650 and there isn’t a huge improvement over my day to day life with my 9630 so I’m a little hesitant to upgrade. I really want the Evo 4G but the only downside to that would be the lack of sim card and push email…not having BBM isn’t a huge deal breaker as most people I can bbm I can just as easily email or sms…I’m torn between 9650 and the Evo geez!!!

  • Jackamus

    I kind of want the BB Bold 9650, but also really want the EVO 4G. Ive had a BB phone for so many years. Might be hard to give up, but I am wanting my phone to do more or have those options.

  • RogerRamjet

    I used a BB 8330 for some time and it was a work horse.
    Went to a BB Bold 9000 and I felt I had the total package.
    I compare all Blackberries to this one and I feel the Bold 9000 is a very tuff act to follow. I know people who own the 9630 and have had to replace/repair the trackball 3-5 times before the unit was 6 months old. Because of this, these owners should receive special discounts towards a Bold 9650. I’m due for a new unit but despite waiting patiently for the Bold 9650 I too am eyeing the EVO 4G.

  • Ari

    DO NOT GET THE EVO. I am returning it in the morning to get the BB 9650. I went to the EVO from an 8330 and it was a huge mistake. The 5 main things I loved about the BB do not work on the EVO. Confirmed problems with the Notifications and Calendar and the horrible battery problem was enough for me to go back to BB after just 3 days of having the EVO. I hope in the future Android can fix these problems but after some research it doesn’t look like it will be anytime soon. Plus I can BBM again!!!

  • dan

    I alos do not recommend the EVO. I work for a research firm where we get all the latest gadgets sent to us for ur reviews. The EVO 4 is absolutely 10 steps down if you are a BB user. I like the new BB, be patient and you will likely be very pleased with the new BB Torch touchscreen with full web browser, new OS6, qwerty key pad and I shouldnt say this but…………… BB BLACKPAD as a bolt on which offers a world of very exciting new functions to your BB. No more on that – DO NOT SIGN ANY AGREEMENT WITH ANY OTHER PHONES if you currently have a BB….. you wont be dissapointed.

    • matt

      Dan, do you know if Sprint will be carrying the BB Torch?

    • Donna

      I’m still using a BB 7100 and HAVE to upgrade, but don’t want to make a mistake. Any idea when the new BB Torch with OS6, qwerty keypad and Blackpad(?) will be out and will Sprint carry it.
      You can mail directly to me – I have no reason to spill the beans, just can’t afford to waste $$ on wrong phone.
      Thanks!!
      D

  • Jeremy

    I just took my EVO 4G back to Best Buy and exchanged it for a BB Bold 9650. I just couldn’t live without a BB. It’s so simple to use, yet it does so much. the EVO couldn’t handle my simple day to day life.

  • logan

    probably my favorite unlocked blackberry phone so far. little smaller than my old 9000 but i like it. faster, more practical, internet is great for surfing and it holds reception a lot better on my crappy network up here. apps are great and games are fun for when i’m chilling but great for my work at the same time. The 9630 is a great unlocked cell phone. got my last 2 at gsmallover.com and very happy with my purchase. 2 thumbs way up.

  • Mikey

    Im a blackberry user and i was thinkin about getting the evo 4g but after toying with the torch for a little @ at&t im gonna wait for sprints version….heres the way i see it if u like apple go goin the hype if u like android then go get the evo or droid but if ur a faitfull blackberry user then go get it….all this hostility just to texts some hoes and make some $$$ is ignorant…pick ur poison and get to pimpin fuck the next person

  • mico

    what blackberry that if u connect to wifi u can browse in internet…….i have curve 8900 but its no good ..need to pay for internet access and blackberry services..

  • http://www.sprint-cellphone.com wetob

    It’s said that the Sprint BlackBerry Bold 9650 is a really great smartphone. This smartphone is based on clear voice calls, sharp pictures, easy text messaging, strong battery life and so on. So, how to make our Bold much more strong? We need some desktop software, and here we share some of them.
    Desktop Software for BlackBerry Smartphones
    Download manuals and updates, view support knowledge base articles and participate in forum discussions. Click on a link below to view the support page for each product.

  • Kevin

    Leak from Sprint today new Blackberry 4G ready for Christmas touch screen and much faster

  • Chris Eze

    It was really fun reading all the comments. I currently use a bold 9000 and I must confess it slow and hangs when you run more than 2 apps or you attach heavy files even using the Opera it loads for a long while. I’m thinking of upgrading to 9700 or 9650 am just confused any advice!

    Thanks

  • mujtaba

    i am not able to unlock my blackberry 9700 bold. when i try to unlock it, it displays a message. Enter “blackberry” to continue. when i finish this step then i am not able to enter password, as it is displaying the alphabets & says wrong password. please help ?

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