A couple of days ago, RIM officially launched the newest Blackberry Bold, aka model number 9700, aka the Bold 2, in Singapore. The press release is below, and strangely, I cannot find it on the RIM/Blackberry site. The 9700 is expected to be available from Singapore’s three celcos – Singtel, M1 and Starhub. A cursory glance at their respective homepages reveal nothing about pricing nor exact availability save for Starhub’s, where it is offering the 9700 on a contractual basis (I see no option for outright purchase) with plans beginning from S$ 30.68 with an upfront payment of S$ 698 (approximately RM 1,710). As you can see, even with a contract, the price is not cheap, so I’m guessing that when it is available in Malaysia, it will likely cost RM 2,500 upwards, without contract.
Indonesia launched the 9700 last month, and it is available contract free, at a price of 6,450,000 rupiahs, approximately RM 2,341. Oooh, I am so tempted! I am hearing that the 9700 will be available in Malaysia early next year.
RIM Launches the BlackBerry Bold 9700 Smartphone in Singapore
New 3G Smartphone Delivers High-End Features and Performance in a Compact and Highly
Refined Design
Singapore – 9 December, 2009 – Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today debuted the sleek and powerful BlackBerry® Bold™ 9700 smartphone <http://worldwide.blackberry.com/blackberrybold9700> in Singapore. The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 presents an extensive array of high-end communications and multimedia features in a compact and highly refined design that will appeal to users for both professional and personal use.The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone offers top-of-the-line performance, functionality and features with support for 3G HSDPA networks around the world, a next-generation (624 MHz) processor, 256 MB Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi®, a 3.2MP camera and a dazzling, high resolution display.
Cutting edge engineering and premium finishes extend to the exterior of the handset as well, with a smoothly integrated touch-sensitive trackpad and a highly tactile, distinctive, fretted keyboard. The dark chrome frame and leatherette back add to the new smartphone’s sleek and elegant look, while the narrow profile, balanced weight and soft-touch sides allow it to feel incredibly comfortable in one hand.
“Building on the success of the original BlackBerry Bold, we are now pleased to bring the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone to Singapore,” said Gregory Wade, Managing Director for Southeast Asia, Research In Motion. “We believe that customers will be extremely impressed with the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone’s exciting new features, exceptional performance and refined design.”
Key features of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone include:
- Sleek design measuring 4.29″ x 2.36″ x 0.56″ (109 mm x 60 mm x 14.1 mm) and weighing only 4.3 oz (122 grams)
- Sharp and dazzling 2.44” light-sensing display (480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi)
- Highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard – with finely sculpted keys and chrome frets – for fast, accurate typing
- Innovative touch-sensitive trackpad that allows intuitive and responsive navigation
- Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) for faster web browsing and extended data coverage
- 3.2 MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording
- BlackBerry® OS 5.0, offering users email management and calendar enhancements* as well as a better browsing experience with faster JavaScript and CSS processing
- Built-in GPS for maps and other location-based applications, as well as photo geotagging
- Media player for videos, pictures and music (music play up to 38 hours), plus support for BlackBerry® Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry® Media Sync for easily syncing iTunes® and Windows Media® Player music with the smartphone**
- 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, dedicated volume controls, Lock and Mute keys seamlessly integrated across the top of the handset
- MicroSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB cards today and is expected to support 32 GB cards when available; a 2GB card is included
- 256 MB of Flash memory
- Access to BlackBerry App World™, featuring a broad and growing catalog of mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones <http://www.blackberry.com>. Categories include games, entertainment, IM and social networking, news, weather, productivity and more.
- Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression technology and high quality speakerphone
- Bluetooth® (2.1) with support for Secure Simple Pairing, hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits and other Bluetooth peripherals
- Support for BlackBerry services with access to up to 10 supported email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts such as Yahoo!®, Windows Live™ Hotmail®, AOL® and Gmail™); and BlackBerry® Enterprise Server support, which features advanced security and IT administration capabilities for corporate deployments
- Global connectivity with UMTS/HSDPA 2100/1900/850/800 MHz and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM support
- Removable, rechargeable 1500 mAhr battery that provides approximately 6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby time in 3G mode
- The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone is expected to be available from M1, SingTel and
- StarHub in December. Please check with each individual carrier for pricing and product availability. For more information about the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone, visithttp://www.blackberry.com/bold9700.
* Some features require BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0
** Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.
waw , curve and this bold , is big gap of price….
any special ?
[Reply]
Da Alpha Dog Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:09 am
@Andy, which Curve model are you comparing the Bold 2 to? The 8520? That one does not have 3G. Smaller screen. Poorer build quality…need I say more?
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yup, rp6,5 but if underwater and unlocked only rp5,9…hehehe…
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:12 am
@artic, BUY BUY BUY!!!
But not worth the lack of warranty la, because the price difference is not that big…if below RM 2,000 OK la…
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I want one.. hmm bye bye to BB Curve, hello Bold2 lol
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:32 am
@mamakap, buy me one too?
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Physically, bold looks better than bold 2.
[Reply]
Da Alpha Dog Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:31 am
@artic, to each his own! I’m still very tempted though…but I think I’ll wait for the Storm 2…
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Yes, i will wait for storm2 too… This Bold2 doesn’t has anything ‘special’ compares to my BB Curves… what this Bold2 has that my BB Curve Javelin doesn’t? looks the same..
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:11 am
@No2, count me in too! Anyway, there are too many Blackberry models for me to keep track of the small differences between all of them…
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Just picked up the Bold 2 from Singtel in Singapore. Bold 2 was just launched on 19 December in Singapore. I bought the handset only without contract. Cost S$958, so approx. RM2350. It is such a sleek handset.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pm
@leesh, aiya, never say earlier, I would have tumpang a unit too!
How are you liking it so far? The PIN is not locked to Singtel, I presume?
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Aiyah, yah, wasted. I cld have bought a unit. Love it so far! My first Blackberry (so cannot compare to other models) but already experimenting with it on wifi. Not on BIS yet, will be back in M’sia soon and will sign up with BB plan. Hence, I was on your blog checking out what news there was on the best local BB plan. Yup, no PIN lock here in S’pore since I didn’t sign up with any plan.
[Reply]
Da Alpha Dog Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 11:04 pm
@leesh, ah, you’re working in Singapore temporarily?
Yep, DiGi’s plan sounds the best so far, in Malaysia, at RM 53 (RM 58 – RM 5 credit card autodebit).
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