With already two weeks of using the BlackBerry Bold 9700 which I got through Globe Telecom’s BlackBerry Plan Php1599, it’s just about the right time to come up with a review. This review will be centered on the Bold 9700′s features and functionality as applied to Philippine setting. For a more general review, please check out this article.
Now on with my Globe BlackBerry Bold 9700 review:BlackBerry Bold 9700 – Design and Form Factor
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is RIM’s second handset in the Bold series, the first one being the BlackBerry Bold 9000. Both handsets sport almost the same set of features and the difference is perhaps could only be ascertained with their design and form factor. Specifically, the Bold 9700 is smaller and slimmer.
Also, this is my third smartphone and the only non-touch screen model, the other two being the iPhone 3GS and Google Nexus One. So coming from both touchscreen devices, it kind of felt ackward to be using a real QWERTY keyboard again. The last time I used phone with this kind of keypads was with the Sony Ericsson P990i.
If you’re used to touchscreen smartphones, it would take quite some time before you get use to the QWERTY keypads of the BlackBerry Bold 9700. If you’re use to using the usual mobile phone numeric keypads, your learning curve in using the Bold 9700′s keypad will be quicker.
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is the lightest of my three smartphones. It is also the smallest. Design-wise it sports a similar classy design and is at par with the look and apperance of both the iPhone and Nexus One.
The phone’s back panel has a leather lining which adds class and sophistication to the phone. The glossy black and silver combination finish of the phone is highly desirable, despite the fact that it is also a magnet for finger prints and smudges.
Overall, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is a well designed and crafted mobile phone which is expected of any RIM devices.
Day to Day Usability
One distinguishing feature of the BlackBery Bold 9700 is the concept of always being connected. It is supposed to be a business-oriented device that gives you access to your corporate email accounts as well as your webmail accounts. Indeed, it gives you all those features plus another distinct feature of all BlackBerry devices – the BlackBerry Messenger App. Simply put, this is a mobile IM client that utilizes the BlackBerry’s unique PIN number for communicating with other BlackBerry devices.
To get the most out of these features, it is highly advisable that you register for unlimited data plans with your mobile phone providers. For Globe Telecoms postpaid account holders, there is an existing Unlimited BlackBerry Plan which requires you to pay a monthly fee of Php 2000 over and above your monthly service fee. So if you got the plan Php1599 and you connect your BlackBerry to your webmail account, browse the internet regularly, visit Facebook and Twitter – then the unlimited data plan is a must.
Basically, you usage of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 will revolve around Instant Messaging, Text Messaging, Web Browsing, Social Networking and Voice Calling.
BlackBerry Bold 9700 – Applications
Like the iPhone and Android phones, BlackBerry devices also have their own applications market – the BlackBerry App World. Unfortunately, we, BlackBerry users in the Philippines are not yet supported. So our only chance at getting BlackBerry applications is through direct downloads on the web. Fortunately, third-party apps abound on the Internet.
And besides, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 comes preloaded with some of the mostly used applications including Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo Messenger and more.
Third-party apps behave faster on BlackBery devices and are useful add-ons to the functionality of the BlackBerry Bold 9700.
Why You Should Get the Globe BlackBerry Bold 9700?
Unlike the iPhone, Android Phones and other Smartphone models, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 will not lead you to incur a huge amount of data charges. It closely monitors your daily usage and lets you set a limit to your KB downloads that once you’ve reached that threshold, it will remind you immediately to close apps that maybe open and incurring data chargers even if you are not using them. And that’s the biggest reason why you should get the BlackBerry Bold 9700.
All the other features of this smartphones are value added that you can enjoy using without worrying too much about mobile data cost.
Suffice to say, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is great smartphone with heavy usage intended for business and corporate purposes.
“You’ll just add around 2K ”
The p1599 plan has a cash out of 11k, there is a typo on the globe website which you probably used as source for your bogus review. And you should now better that a phone like the brandnew bb9700 will not have a cash out of 2,450. Check your facts before posting bogus comments
If you really did have this bb9700 with the P1599 plan than you would have already known it costs 11k because you already availed for the plan. So obviously you do not have the p1599 plan, or maybe don’t even have a bb.
I guess now I know that your posting bullshit reviews.
I checked this with Globe center Robinsons Galle, and the cash out is different on the site and in the globe store. P1599 plan has P11k+ cash out not P2450 as mentioned on the site. and they made sure to tell me that it is an error on the globe site.
Arnold since you claim in your review that you got the p1599 plan, then how could you not have known the cash out is different? Surely you must remember paying 11k instead of 2k.
And you even defended this to donato who was saying the cash out was different from the site.
@Donato – I don’t think so. If you’re getting the BB Plans, the cash out is standard.
Please explain, because your credibility is sinking with me and my officemates.
@Jimmy – I paid the first month MSF Php 1599 and the initial cash out of Php2450 which according to Globe Hub Podium is the actual payment for the unit. I checked the Globe site and indeed the initial cash out is now Php 11,500. I’m pretty sure that I didn’t pay Globe 11K for the unit. I’m looking at my credit card bill right now.
Globe must have adjusted the cash-out due to increase demand for the BB 9700 perhaps?
@NBB – Why so mad and why all the accusations? Check out this unboxing photos – http://aczafra.com/2010/02/16/blackberry-bold-9700-unboxing-photos-first-impressions/
I’m pretty sure I have a BlackBerry Bold 9700, do you?
I don’t do bogus review on this blog dude. I’ve acquired all these gadgets and I’m just sharing my opinion to hopefully help you out guys in deciding whether to buy a gadget or not.
Sir Arnold, another quick question,
I’ve check my balance via the postpaid sim, the one you access via the SIM > postpaid services > balance inquiry. Umabot na yung bill ko ng 851php and I’m pretty sure that used only 100 minutes or a little bit more of my call allowance and lumampas ako ng mga 100 SMS pero bakit ganon? 851php na, and I am really sure na pag nag iinternet ako, wifi ang gamit ko, naka off naman yung mobile network. Pag nasa options naman ako, pansin ko sa advanced options na nakalagay sa default browser is MyGlobe, di ko ba papalitan un ng internet browser? would that make any difference?
Di ko akalain na aabot ako ng 800+php, eh hindi ko naman masyadong ginagamit ung postpaid sim ko… May settings ba na dapat kong itweak?
One more thing sir, i’ve tried to download the OTA ng mobile data alerter sa website nila, and installed it pero may java error naman daw. yun po yung latest version sa website nila, or may ibang source kung san ko po kukunin yung software?
Thanks sir, for any advice and any tips on how to improve my BB Bold 9700. Ayoko kasi umabot na more then 500php ung additional ko above the MSF. Feel ko kasi pag nagwiwifi ako, nagbibilang pa rin sya ng KB’s.
I get this error sir when running Mobile data alerter.
Uncaught exception:
java.lang.NullpointerException
I really want to limit my data usage, kaya pag minsan nililipat ko yung sim card ko na prepaid sa BB.
I agree with you Sir Arnold. I got my BB 9700 through plan 1599 from Globe and only paid P2,450. It is also shown in my first billing statement. I got it last March 31st so I guess Globe must’ve increased the prices.
Kudos to Arnold for this helpful review about BB 9700. I too own one and is very happy with it. Since it is just a new unit, I myself will try to share some info needed by those who are thinking to invest on one. Cheers!!!
It seems like this is the only ‘active’ blackberry 9700 forum. Can anyone please post a review of the GPS in Blackberry 9700? Thanks!
All,
This is the first time that I played with BIS prepaid service of GLOBE. I recently bought a curve 8520(wifi enabled) for my wife. So, since I already have a plan with GLOBE(9700) which i agree with arnold, its really pricey unless you have a business to run that your email will serve as your primary contact. So when I first setup my wife’s curve with BIS prepaid, it works fine. With emails, BBM, facebook(which she is as addicted with the rest of the world- hehehe), and some other apps. TAke note, everytime he run our of load, she would just connect to our wifi and her phone will work as if you have a blackberry service from GLOBE. Then just this morning, her BIS subscription expires. Then I said to her, you can just connect your phone thru our wifi again and do you facebook app Then she said, it’s not working anymore using wifi. So i checked her configuration, check our wifi, basically troubleshoot( I am a gadget savvy). And unfortunately, it didn’t work. sInce I have two more hours before driving to work, I played around with it. So what I did is.
1. Subscribed to a week BIS service from GLOBE
– this time around, registration is really fast. Compare to previous weeks. And i noticed that GLOBE sent her an SMS saying that her subscription will about to expire in 4 hours, something like that.
2. In matte of minutes, her indicator went CAPS(GPRS, EDGE- meaning your connected to BIS)
3. Then her three emails(gmail, yahoo, globe.ap.blackberry) notified her(directly goes to her inbox) that they are all activated and will start receiving emails in 20 minutes. (weird, they are all activated before)
4. So I started doing the test email and they all work fine.
5. I turned off the GSM radio and just connect to wifi.
6. Tried her facebook, emails and they all work fine now(using wifi only).
Theory: I think GLOBE did a some sort of reconfiguration with all BIS prepaid yesterday. So I think you need to reactivate them again in order to work over wifi. The primary test now is to check if the service would change once her BIS expires. But, the mere fact that GSM radio is off and everything is working fine, with this premise, I can conclude that- EMAILS, FACEBOOK, YM, BBM, and other apps installed in your blackberry should work over wifi if and only if they are all activated.
Hope this would enlighten everyone.
Admittedly, I am a BB addict. Can’t leave the house without it. And the BOLD 9700 rules. This is my fourth blackberry and it’s way better that 9000 or IPHONE.
Hi Arnold,
I am using BB Bold 9700 for about 2 months now. It is also under Globe’s BB 1599 Plan (where I got my BB 9700 unit for Php2450 also). And like you, my initial bill shoot up to 3k the 1st month as I explored the entire capabilities of the phone.
I have one question though, I noticed that you can turn data on/off and still use the normal callphone capabilities (text, call). This is done by going to Manage Connections- Mobile Network Options- Data Services (on/off).
With this, I would like to know if turning Data to ON status even if you are not actually using it deducts to my free 30MB data or charges me any cost?
I love my BB 9700 so much, best phone I ever had even better than iPhone since it fulfills all my personal and professional needs. This is the only worry I have since being a postpaid client, I have no visibilty on how Globe charges all my phone usage.
I hope you could help me with my concern. Thank you and more power to your very informative and helpful website.
@Jay – Wow! Thanks for those insightful tips! Hope those who stumbled upon this post read your comment – very very useful indeed! Thanks again.
@Makoy – I think for as long as you don’t have any applications running that used up internet data, turning the data settings to ON will not be deducted from your data allowance. Just make sure to kill off the data-hungry apps such as BBM, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
I think what Globe does now is to deactivate your BIS, remove the service book in your blackberry once your subscription expires. I agree with Jay, they can work with wifi until Globe did some modification in their system. When I configured my bold 9700 for BIS prepaid, once it expires, I can still receive my emails, bbms and fb alert over wifi. But now, it doesn’t work anymore. But there’s a workaround. Once the services are enabled, you can disable the gsm radio and continue receiving emails. Of course, this is not a good one since you won’t be able to receive sms and phonecalls.(Lame). What Globe should do is to revert their previous BIS configuration for prepaid. They should not deactivate the service completely. Since it’s not BES(corporate) controlled, it’s a PERSONAL pphone. Tsk tsk tsk
hindi ata gumagana sakin yung papatayin lang yung mobile network tas gagana na yung BIS, and BB apps.
what to do, what to do?
I have a Blackberry Bold 9700 and I subscribed to BES. After activating the BES, my Wi-Fi setting in Manage Connections is missing. I checked with my Blackberry server administrator and he informed me that Wi-Fi is enabled in the IT Policy. He resent the Service Book and I did a hard reset but still the same. Please advice.
they really did deactivate the bis..
globe is getting greedy..
Why greenhills have blackberry units specifically the bold 9700 FROM GLOBE? Is it exactly the same with the offers and services from globe including the prepaid? Please answer. Thanks!
@ARNOLD
I am disappointed with Globe’s Blackberry service, my bill is P22K and they cannot explain why. From my 30MB data plan, I subsscribed to SuperSurf but still my bill reflected that I used 280+ MB of data usage.
I have been cut-off from my service 4 times already because my unbilled charges has exceeded my credit limit.
When I was still on the 30MB data plan I was told that if I am connected to WiFi, my data allowance will not be consumed. BUT when my usage exceeded 30MB that was then that they told me that if the WiFi connection is slow or unstable, it will switch to 3G.
Now I am screwed with excess charges and have been cut-off again, I am still going to contest and ask for the details of my excess usage. And do note that I did subscribe to SuperSurf.
@Paolo
I’m facing the same dilemma.
I’m being charged 2.2k when I only subscribed for supertxt and the 50 pesos supersurf for blackberry’s.
My bill says I have around 11mb of usage, and I’m being charged 1.5k for that.
I’m complaining to Globe right now. Tell me if you make any progress with your case.
@PHIL
I will, and there is no way I will pay P22K.
Anyone out there who has the same dilemma?
@Paolo
I’ve spoken with Globe, and at the least I’ve tried is to figure out what I did that caused me to be charged.
They told me the same thing. That when you are connected to wifi, and if the WiFi connection is slow or unstable, it will switch to 3G. And my charges came from there. I kind of see their point, as I have been connecting through the weak wifi connection of my school occasionally.
However I will still contest this because we were not informed of such a thing happening (defaulting to 3g when wifi is weak).
Have you been connecting to a weak wifi connection alot?
@PHIL
I cannot say the signal is weak because I don’t know how to measure it using my BB.
If it could have been clear to me then at the time, I would not have risked connecting to WiFi even if the signal is strong.
Definitely NO WAY I will use my BB for data hungry apps even when connected to WiFi if there is a slight chance it switches to 3G. WiFi signal might be strong but there’s no guarantee that internet is there.
It was not mentioned to me when I subscribed to my BlackBerry plan.
I feel that this is deceptive marketing.
Guys, it’s a given fact that when you are in postpaid, you cannot track your data usage until the bill is with your possession. Ruffa G. had a bill for almost 100K from smart for only one month and she is also having lots of dispute about this. One suggestion though, my friend & I had an experiment:
We were at this WiFi area, we removed our globe sim card from our BB, then we turned on BB’s WiFi and surprisingly we were able to access the internet.
@Paolo
I think it’s deceptive marketing too. Anyway, the best I could have them do is give me a 20% discount.
Now whenever I use wifi, I turn of the Mobile Network. But it’s pretty dumb that I have to do that, since then I wouldn’t be able to receive or send any messages and calls.
@PHIL
How did you strike a deal for 20% discount?
I have not gone to the business center yet. I have already raised my concern but no feedback yet. Though surprisingly Globe did not disable my service yet.
@Paolo
I just chatter with their customer service representative through their websites chat service. Spoke with a few representatives for like 5 hours, and managed to get one of them to offer me a discount. I told them that I understood I am at fault, but globe is as well. Just be nice, they respond better haha.
@PHIL
I went to the business center today, as per rep they will come up with settlement that will be favorable to me. Though my outstanding balance is 19K, they have not and will discontinue my service.
Adjustments will be done on the next billing period.
I’ll wait and see.
hi pls. help. i just got bb 9700 and i got it in singapore. for some reason the gprs and the 3g turns on itself and i don’t know what to do in order to have it removed. bec. i would be paying for that db. i also can’t get the email thing to work. in my services status, the ff is said:
mobile voice:
status: available
connection: mobile network
blackberry internet service
connection: not connected
mobile network
gprs
mobile network provider
GLOBE
i am currently connected to a wifi network in our office, but it says that the blackberry internet service is not connected?
pls. help me i really don’t know what to do. i ‘ve been searching all over the internet but can’t find any answers.i bought my phoen in singapore so i can’t have it checked there anymore.
hey! I love my BB…I got it thru Globe as a loyalty reward, to my surprise they sent me not one, but two units of 9700…I must be a really valued customer!lol but I did not accept the other package, since I just ordered for one BB! The Air21 delivery guy will have to take care of returning the extra unit to Globe!
I want to thank Arnold for this blog, it is really helpful, especially the data alerter application..I hope it really would work!
Keep posting, Sir! Nice review!
SIR ARNOLD KINDLY HELP ME IN UPGRADING MY BB9700 OS TO 5.0.0. 593 I AM SOMEWHAT CONFUSE IN HOW TO ERASE THE XTML VENDOR
Sir Arnold can you please give me the step bystep guide in upgrading my os to 5.0.0. 593
yay! day 2 of my BB Bold and having issues with FB application already : ( error says, A connection cannot be established to the Facebook server. I googled this issue, and it looks like, many bb users have the same problem with the FB application in their phones. Sir, Anyone who has any idea to resolve this??? It would be really helpful!
update: Globe waived my 22K bill. Thanks Globe (special mention to Jerome of Globe SM CDO). What happened was their was an error on the system where my Supersurf subscription was not activated.
postpaid BB users, if you always access fb on your device, better subscribe to supersurf.
I am using itouch with this comment, damn it’s hard!
@Ross
no need to upgrade, no noticable diffrence.
@Paulo How come they charged you 22k bill at first? Are you still gonna be charged for data usage even if you are accessing FB app for BB via WIFI?
Still i cannot download the Application world. I heard that philippines is among the country in Asia that can now dowload the Application bu i tries several times still in vain.Pls help
@JUNEBOX
If you are on WiFi, there are times your BB will switch to 3G if the WiFi connection is slow. So beware. Also, I was confident on using data heavy apps because I was subscribed to SuperSurf.
I was on Plan1599 with with 30MB free data, and that is not enough for me, and maybe for most of us. Hehehe.
Got news.
I got unlimited data plan now, for a minimum service fee of P1700 per month.
Check the comment on my blog.
Sir Paolo How can I download the application world
@Paulo tnx for the advice, btw are you locked up with globe, too? How much did you pay for the unit, with your plan at 1,599? and lastly, what does plan 1,599 includes? tnx
@Ross
I got my BB last March, there was a promo with Globe for Plan 1599, just add P2450 as cash out and you can take home a Bold 9700. I think 100 minutes and 500 text message (if my memory serves me right)
@Junebox
Just click on the App world icon on your BB, if it is not there, use your BB;s browser and search for Blackberry App world, it will navigate you to a link where you can download the app.
Hey, am back, just wanted to visit this blog of sir arnold’s if there were new updates.
@Paolo, I’ve been charged 5.6k for 2 months, and I can really see in my bills that I don’t even reach my allowances for a month. Let’s say, I only consume 200sms buti I can see in the bill that they are charging most of them and the plan says that I have an allowance of 350sms a month. Why do I still get charged for those, diba?
@paolo so with the 1,599 you still have to pay additional roughly 1,200 if you want to add unlimited data access in your BB
wow! guys, BB Torch is out, along with it is the launching of OS 6 for Blackberry plus the BB world app 2… wonder when will it hit our shores!!
will we get the Version for Bold 9700
Will we get the version 6 for bold 9700????
@Junebox
Yes, you need Supersurf to be on unlimited data.
but if you are a heavy data user but not so much on calls and sms, then downgrading to plan 500 with Supersurf 1200 add-on which is P1700 in total suited for you.
@dan
i think you need to sit down with that with Globe
sir:
i am a subscriber of the globe BB plan 1599. i’ve filtered my mails and i get an average of about 10-15 mails a day but i do a lot of YM, BBM and Whatapp (to be able to charge to my iphone friends). Will this cause my bill to shoot up? i was told that IMs are cheaper than text messages esp if the people i do IM with are abroad.
with 30MB data approximately how many mails and IMs a day am i allowed so as not exceed my monthly allocation? checked my unbilled balance today and i was shocked that my unbilled charges for BB service alone is already P2.6K. should i limit my chatting too? much as i want to go unlimited, the unlimited BB plan is way over my budget and i don’t think i will be allowed by globe to switch to supersurf and downgrade my plan since i’m still under lock up.
please advise.
Hi Sharon – anything you do on your BlackBerry that connects it to the Internet will cost you data charges. Key here is to monitor your data usage to avoid incurring huge data costs.
I suggest you look for BB apps that monitors your data usage, there is one good free app for that but I forgot the name. I don’t have my BB Bold anymore so I couldn’t check what app it is.
Maybe other BB users here can help.
Sir
Do I need to be a register on BIS or BES in order to download application World
because every time I attempted to Download it on my handset i will got a message that your device does not past the requirement.