Blackberry Bold Touch 9900 review

Product Blackberry Bold Touch 9900
Website BlackBerry UK
Specifications 1.2GHz single-core processor, 2.8in Liquid Graphics Display touchscreen with 640x480 resolution, 768MB RAM, microSD support, microUSB port, 5MP camera with LED flash, NFC support, Qwerty keyboard, Blackberry OS 7, 1230mAh battery, 115x66x10.5mm, 130g
Price Free from £36 on Vodafone or £520 SIM free

BLACKBERRY BOLDS have long been associated with boring businessmen, but Research in Motion (RIM) is looking to increase the desirability of its devices with the Bold Touch 9900.

Although the improved specifications are probably not going to be enough to tempt Apple and Android fanbois away from their beloved Iphone 4 or Google Nexus S, the soon-to-be teenage favourite could attract those due an upgrade and is well worth a look.

Even though the Bold Touch 9900 comes with the familiar hybrid case, it has a number of key differences compared to its predecessors. The handset is slightly bigger than the 9700 and 9780 models at 115x66x10.5mm, but it is the thinnest Bold to date.

Back in black
RIM has upped its game when it comes to build quality and the Bold 9900 handset actually looks and feels like it's worth the hefty price tag. Premium materials have been used, and everything from the keypad to the steel frame gives that high-end look. 

The back feels considerably sturdier than before as it clips into place, and is not going to start slipping off like the cover on previous devices.

The Bold Touch 9900 (far right) has a 2.8in display with improved resolution of 640x480. Colours are much sharper than before, and text is clearer on the Liquid Graphics Display which has no hint of pixelation - better late than never.



Look and feel free to Touch
As the name suggests, the Bold Touch now incorporates a touchscreen and provides a whole new method of interaction. 

Buyers no longer have to rely on the optical trackpad as the primary source of navigation. We found on previous Bold devices that the trackpad became sluggish after heavy use and could be a little frustrating to use.

Touchscreen sensitivity is generally very good, and we found ourselves regularly prodding away at the display to navigate menus, open applications, scroll down pages and for pinching-to-zoom. 

Multi-touch functionality also makes it possible to copy large chunks of text by simply tapping two fingers on either side of the text and then adjusting the selected text with the on screen arrows.