* Prices are with a new Sprint account/renewal
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Recommended Sprint BlackBerrys:
Pros of the Bold 9930:
- Without doubt the best physical keyboard (6% larger than the Bold 9000)
- Reliable, Responsive & Robust
- BlackBerry 7 operating system – 4G and ‘liquid metal’ touch screen (web browsing is impressive with no lag using the pinch to zoom and opening multiple tabs)
- Impressive premier look – compact (115 x 66 x 10.5 mm, height, width and thickness)
- Strong due navigation – track pad and touch screen
- High security
- Awesome QWERTY keyboard
Cons:
- Reports of the touch screen freezing for a couple of seconds on occasions while opening apps
- Poor 5 mega pixel camera due to weak auto focus (the 720p HD video is good, though sound was not as impressive)
- Poor call quality – high background noise
- A weaker battery than the previous Bold – 1230 mAh batter is likely to give you 9 hours of use at moderate usage
Of the three BlackBerrys available from Sprint, the recently launched the new touch screen Bold 9930, which is the most popular choice.
This phone is similar in design to the previous Bold 9650 with a full QWERTY keyboard, however, is slightly thinner (115 x 66 x 10.5 mm, height, width and thickness), marginally heavier at 130 grams, and has a brush steel band around the outside similar to the iPhone4.
Exciting features is the ‘liquid graphics’ touch screen display, OS 7 and 4G connectivity. This gives the Bold 9930 the advantage of having impressive multimedia web browsing speeds and possibly the best physical keyboard around giving you the ability to communicate quickly and accurately via email, text messages and instant messages. If you are interested to see a full spec breakdown and comparison of this Bold to the previous version, click here.
The Bold has been a highly successful range amongst the corporate sector due to the strong security features and the robust nature of the phone. BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) is BlackBerry’s corporate application that allows users to synchronize work email accounts, calendars, contacts and other client features in a quick and secure manner. This is the most trusted system of its nature and is used by most large corporations. BES works on all BlackBerry handsets, however, the Bold is the phone of choice for most BES users.
The full QWERTY keyboard of the Bold is a defining feature of the phone making sending text messages and emails quick and easy. The Bold and Curve are highly geared on core phone services such as strong call quality (high background noise in the Bold 9930), reliability, and efficient emailing and messaging.
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is a free instant messaging application unique to BlackBerry phones that is particularly popular amongst younger users. This has allowed BlackBerry and particularly the Bold and Curve to be a successful phone amongst both the corporate and younger users.
If you are looking for a cheaper version of the Bold the Curve is a good option. The Curve is similar to the Bold in many respects both from a physical and technical aspect. Essentially the Curve does the same tasks as the Bold, however, the Curve has less power and speed (3G). As a result the Curve occasionally ‘freezes’ under heavy use making it not as a reliable choice as the Bold.
The recently launched Torch 9850 has a large 3.7 inch touch screen display creating a focus on multi media, web browsing and gaming – all BlackBerry weaknesses. In contrary to the Bold 9930 (and Curve), which focus on BlackBerry’s strengths – seamless messaging and emailing applications.
The BlackBerry 7 operating system (OS) on the Torch is hard to navigate and not as impressive as the Android OS. The touch screen keyboard can be difficult to use, however, the phone is equipped with a strong predictive text app that is effective at correcting typing errors. BlackBerry has a limited selection of apps to choice from, which is frustrating for a phone that is suited to apps. The lack of 4G connectivity is a downside of the phone, making for slow browsing due to Sprint’s slow 3G network.
On a positive note the Torch has a premier black and steel finish that fits well in your hand (4.7 x 2.4 x 0.45 inches, 800 x 480 pixel screen).
BlackBerry’s in house operating system is called Research In Motion (RIM). RIM has been the pioneer when it comes to integrating email, calendar, tasks, notes and contacts synchronization with the use of BlackBerry Enterprise Server. The latest operating system (OS) is BlackBerry 6, with OS 7 expected to launch on the new Bold 9900 this September.
Sprint, the third largest cellular network provider in the US with 49.9 million customers is owned by Sprint Nextel Corporation. The merger of Sprint Communication and Nextel Communication in 2005 resulted in the formation of this entity.
The pluses of this provider is extensive voice and high speed data service coverage. On the Sprint Everything plan there is free calling between most Sprint and Nextel customers.
Sprint Coverage:
National coverage, click here to check coverage in your area.
With Sprint’s Worldwide roaming option you can make international calls, connect overseas, get international voice/texting/ data information etc.
Sprint Speed:
A recent test by PC Mag testing 21 cities in the US found Verizon to have the quickest 4G network speeds, followed by TMobile with an average download speed of 3.7 Mbps. The Bold is the first BlackBerry to take advantage of Sprint’s 4G network, hence, getting the 2.99 Mbps average download speed. The Curve and the Torch are running on Sprint’s 3G network which is less impressive bringing up the rear in terms of speed.
Fastest ’4G’ average download speeds:
- Verizon 9.46 Mbps
- TMobile 3.7 Mbps
- Sprint 2.99 Mbps
- At&t 2.44 Mbps
- MetroPCS 1.62 Mbps
Fastest Rural America average download speeds:
- TMobile 2.08 Mbps
- At&t 1.95 Mbps
- Verizon 0.69 Mbps
- Sprint 0.52 Mbps
Sprint Plans:
Sprint has reasonable individual plans which on average are $30 more than T-Mobile and $10 cheaper than Verizon.
This is a comparison of unlimited talk, messaging and data across the following providers:
-
Sprint (Simply Everything + Premium Data) Cost = $110
- Verizon (Nationwide Talk & Text + Data) Cost = $120
- TMobile (Even More Unlimited + Messaging + Data) Cost = $80
- At&t (Unlimited talk + text + 2GB data) Cost = $120
Popular plans:
* Sprint requires that you include the ‘Premium Data’ add on at $10 per month
*Mobile HotSpot add on will cost you $29.99 per month (optional)
*One time activation fee is $36
Conclusion:
The BlackBerry Bold 9930 is our recommended Sprint BlackBerry, and has had a great response particularly amongst the corporate world. The 9930 has an amazing physical keyboard, even better than the previous Bold (which we thought could not be topped). Web-browsing on the touch screen is impressive and quick running on Sprint’s WiMax 4G network.
The curve is a good cheaper option, though its a little under powered in terms of processor speed and web browsing (3G).
I think that there are better Android Sprint phones than the Torch, hence, if you are looking for a top multi-media touch screen phone click here.
However, if you rely heavy on your phone for emailing and messaging than the Bold 9930 is probably the best phone in the market for you.
