BlackBerry Bold 9700, formerly codenamed Onyx
Posted on 2009 under BlackBerry Bold 9700, Blackberry Bold Review - Features and Overview, BlackBerry Bold Tips | No Comment9 Dec
A CrackBerry.com Pre-Release, Hands-On Look at the BlackBerry Bold 9700, formerly codenamed Onyx
The First ‘No Compromise’ BlackBerry Smartphone… the BlackBerry Bold 9700
* Update 2: October 21st, 2009 – Research in Motion officially announced the BlackBerry Bold 9700:
- View BlackBerry Bold 9700 Announcement
- View BlackBerry Bold 9700 Features and Specifications
- View BlackBerry Bold 9700 Video
* Update 1: August 12th, 2009 – Since this review first when live in late May, a few things have changed in regards to this review. First, the “onyx” became branded with a 9020 device model, which recently changed again to become the BlackBerry 9700 and now for sure will be labeled as the BlackBerry Bold 9700. Hardware-wise, compared to unit featured in this review, a few other things have changed, namely the device will feature a touch sensitive trackpad (as seen on the Curve 8520) instead of the trackball, and the BlackBerry Bold 9700 will also feature a leather back on it. And above the battery door, engraved into the rubber will be the word “Bold”. Keep in mind the BlackBerry Bold 9700 will come in two versions – one for AT&T/Rogers/Europe and another version specificially built for T-Mobile in the USA, which features T-Mobiles 1700Mhz HSPA bands. Below is a picture of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 with the optical trackpad:
The changes made since this initial review to the Bold 9700 really make this is the ultimate “traditional” BlackBerry. It beats the original BlackBerry Bold 9000 in every respect, and does it in a smaller package.
Original BlackBerry Onyx (BlackBerry Bold 9700) Review
Pre-release review time! Rumors of the BlackBerry device model with the codename “Onyx” have been floating around for a while now and were proven legit when the first photos of it surfaced here at CrackBerry back on May 10th. After going hands-on with the Onyx, I think it’s safe to say THIS IS the traditional (no touchscreen) BlackBerry smartphone so many of us have been waiting for. It always seems that every new BlackBerry smartphone makes a compromise somewhere on its specifications and feature sheet – be it the Bold’s camera, or the Curve 8900′s lack of 3G, or the Tour 9630′s lack of WiFi, or the Storm’s lack of memory and snappy OS.
RIM has finally packed it ALL into one device with the Onyx — 3G, WiFi, GPS, 3.2 megapixel camera – and they’ve done it in a tight form factor. If you put the Onyx side by side with the BlackBerry Bold and compare the specs, you realize the triumph in engineering RIM has accomplished here. The Onyx is basically better in every way but has a much smaller footprint (though arguably the Bold’s extra width makes for a better keyboard and physically wider display that some users may prefer). So if you’re relaxing this Memorial Day weekend, grab a bevvie, sit back and read on to see tons of photos, a video and some first impressions of the BlackBerry Onyx.
* Disclaimer: Like all of our pre-release reviews, please note that this is non-commercially available device which means things will change by the time it comes to market. *
Read on For Photos, Video and First Impressions of the BlackBerry Onyx >>
A Note About the Pre-Release BlackBerry Bold 9700 Device Review
While the pre-release BlackBerry Curve 8520 we recently reviewed felt like it could be going on sale tomorrow, it’s apparent the BlackBerry Onyx reviewed here is in a much earlier stage of the commercialization process. While the hardware quality is quite good, the OS implementation is still young. In fact, on this device the OS has yet to be labeled with a version number. It’s definitely a version of OS 5, but actually think it’s an early build of OS 5.0.1 versus 5.0.0. Likewise, we’re hearing that production on these isn’t scheduled to begin until later this summer, which means the device is still pre-production and things could change up, like maybe swapping out the trackball in favor of the optical trackpad, which is said by BGR to be coming to the BlackBerry Driftwood (think T-Mobile version of the Onyx).
On the device model front, it’s not certain (to us anyways) what the exact model number is yet, but the prevailing thought is that the both the Onyx and Driftwood may be part of the 96xx series. We’ve heard the Onyx is the 9600 (BlackBerry Tour 9600??), but visually comparing the Onyx to the 9630 the sides/back are so visibly different that one could argue a different model number could be justified. Of course RIM hasn’t even officially announced the Tour 9630 yet, so we’re talking pre-release rumors on top of pre-release rumors at this point.
Another item to note is UMA support. The Onyx’s hardware is technically capable of supporting UMA, but whether we see it launch with it is another question. In North America the Onyx will be heading to AT&T and Rogers. We know (based on history and BG’s info) that the AT&T version won’t support UMA, but Rogers does offer their UMA TalkSpot service so we could maybe (hopefully!) see it launch with UMA there. In the video below I typed in that UMA was supported…but keep this paragraph in mind. Technically supported vs. what hits the market are two different things.
BlackBerry Codename Onyx – What’s in a Name?
There’s a little CrackBerry history behind the name BlackBerry “Onyx” that I just had to throw in here for our newer readers who may not be fully aware. Back in April 2008, before the official release of the BlackBerry Bold, the blogosphere referred to the device by its model number, 9000. We knew the BlackBerry 9000 would have to get a brand name, so at that time we held a CrackBerry contest to guess the name of BlackBerry 9000. A short time after, RIM announced the 9000 as the BlackBerry Bold, a name which none of our contestants had guessed. However, we went through the hundreds of names suggested and picked our favorite and gave them a prize anways. And the name we picked as the winner was….. the BlackBerry Onyx! Now I don’t if it the Onyx was already in development at that time and we just got lucky, or if RIM was inspired by our name game and used it for a device (that would be pretty sweet), but either way it seems fitting that the BlackBerry Onyx is the device that can basically be seen as the next generation / upgrade of the BlackBerry Bold (as far as it’s the next/best all in one BlackBerry).
BlackBerry Onyx (Bold 9700) Overview
With so many existing and upcoming BlackBerry device models that look similar (yet different), it’s becoming a bit confusing to differentiate at a glance between models. We have an upcoming article with our theory behind RIM’s multiple device strategy, but in the meantime the big thing to note about Onyx is that’s unassuming and slick form factor packs a ton of punch:
- 3G device – GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS (Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900)
- 480 by 360 display, beveled edges
- 256 megabytes of internal memory (same as Curve 8900, 8520)
- 1550mAh M-S1 battery (same as Bold)
- 3.2 megapixel camera, with flash and auto focus
- Processor: Not 100% sure actually, but am hearing its a Tavor processor that may be running even a bit quicker than the Bold’s 624MHz processor (definitely seems snappy)
- GPS, WiFi (UMA capable but we’ll see what happens there), and all the normal stuff you’d expect on a BlackBerry smartphone
A hands-on look at the BlackBerry Onyx
BlackBerry Onyx Video Overview
In our Curve 8520 video I played Sunday Morning Coming Down. It got some positive feedback, so we’re back with more Johnny Cash, this time the very fitting Man in Black for what is shaping up to be one hell of a BlackBerry. Be sure to click the HD button to see the video in high definition. Enjoy the show!!
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