[leicashot]

Hey guys I just got myself the Storm 2 on Verizon and unhappy with the slow usability of it. While the interface is fast, making quick dials and searching for names etc is slower without a keypad. I am an experienced BB user, having had over 10 BB's in my time and need your help with this please.

Therefor I'm in the market for something else. I prefer the build of the Tour (not having seen the Bold 9700 in the flesh), more so because of it's rear battery cover, that has a nice locking feature. My old Bold rear cover came loose all the time and replaced it twice.
But I think the trackpad will be better than the ball so the 9700 is enticing over the Tour. Being only new to the country my understanding is that the list of best service providers in terms of quality and coverage is:
1. Verizon
2. Sprint
3. AT&T
4. T-Mobile

What, IYHO is the best phone/carrier combination of the ones I'm considering?

Many thanks in advance.

[NJBlackBerry]

Pick the carrier first, and then pick the device. Which carrier works where you live, where you work, and where you travel to.

[leicashot]

It's tough cause I need to return my Storm 2, which i got last night. I know T-Mobile gets the Bold 2 on monday, Verizon has the Tour now and AT&T will have the Bold 2 sometime in the next 2 weeks......

[MNGREENE]

Go with the BB 9700 (Bold 2). I've been using my T-mo unit for a week, and like its stylish design, solid-but-compact feel, crisp keyboard, brilliant screen, and snug rear battery cover. Only caveat: the keyboard is small enough that it's not recommended for folks with big fingers.

[leicashot]

Thanks for the advice, I'm definitely leaning that way though I've just seen the White Bold and that thing i smoking hot! What do you think? It doesn't come with OS5 though, so don't want to face issues by loading it on myself....

[guinda35]

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

Pick the carrier first, and then pick the device. Which carrier works where you live, where you work, and where you travel to.

I'm so sick of the finicky trackball (oh for the old trackwheel again), that I'm ready to jump to the 9700 as soon as it is available. I'm going to give My carrier ATT a chance to meet T-Mobile's price for the phone ($200) even though I am smack in the middle of my contract, instead of charging me $600 for the device, or else I'll pay my early termination fee ($200) and bail.

Anyone willing to share their experience with a trackpad (feel, ease, dependability), in comparison to the ball.

[Dubdub]

As NJBlackBerry said, make sure that t-mo has the service you need when and where you need it - where yo u live, work, travel and play. A cheap phone is no good if you can't use it.

T-Mobile is number 4 for a reason! They just don't have the network that the other members of the Big-4 have.

[leicashot]

Thanks guys but would really love people's opinion's on the differences between the 2 frequencies of the Bold 2's on AT&T and T-Mobile now. I may move back to Australia and I understand they are both different....any idea on where to find the specs for each?

[JSanders]

The 9700 on ATT and Tmobile both have the exact same EDGE radio frequencies. Not a difference there.
The devices will not interchangeable for the 3G.

Specs:
BlackBerry - 9700 Smartphone - New BlackBerry Bold 9700

[leicashot]

Thank you JSanders, so really the T-Mobile version has the advantage then, as it also has the UMA ability? Does the AT&T version have any advantages?

[MidnightDraven]

T-mobile's 3G frequency is different than AT&T's.
Leicashot, you were correct there are two different models, but without knowing the frequencies of the network you may move to in Australia, can't tell you which one would work there.

[JSanders]

In Australia, that might different for 3G, but the EDGE frequencies will be the same on the 9700 and it will work well.

[MidnightDraven]

I understand the GSM frequencies are the same.
But I thought that AT&T was the same 3G frequency as Rogers etc, and you can't use a Rogers 9700 to get 3G on t-mobile.
Hence why the press release (post here somewhere) mentions 2 devices, with the different UMTS frequencies.

[JSanders]

Well, let's see, you are right that the ATT and TMo models are not interchangeable for 3G; It is my understanding that the Rogers and AT&T units are usable for 3G on both Rogers and ATT.

9700 Rogers: GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
HSPA: 850/1900/2100 Mhz

9700 AT&T: GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
UMTS/HSDPA: 800/850/1900/2100 MHz

9700 T-Mobile: GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz;UMTS: Band IV 1700/2100 MHz

[MidnightDraven]

That was my point.
A T-mobile 9700 will only work on T-mobile 3G, and any other carriers 9700 won't work on T-mobile 3G.

[JSanders]

I got your point, and my original post has been clarified.

Up until that point there had been no discussion of 3G.

[MidnightDraven]

Ahhh then yes thats my fault.
Due to the Poster mentioning the 2 different frequencies, that why I clarified that point.

[leicashot]

Thanks for clarifying, as it's good to know which to buy in relation to the frequencies my networks use in Australia, should I decide to go back next year, thanks everyone!

[HaTaX]

This info might help you decide which USA carrier is the best fit if you want to bring it back to Australia:
GSM Coverage Maps | Australia

Although, looking at it, I'm not sure what you could do if you don't use Telstra and get the AT&T phone. Not 100% sure the 2100 networks would work with no issues, and there isn't a model in the US that has 900 3G frequencies.

Hope this helps!

[MidnightDraven]

The T-mobile 9700 has the 900 band for 3G.
Its 2100/1700/900