BlackBerry Bold 9800 gets some glamour shots, OS 6 gets a 16 minute video walkthrough

The verdict is still out on OS 6, but there's hardly any doubting the assured design and form factor that RIM has gone with for the BlackBerry Bold 9800 slider. Our latest look at the device comes courtesy of BlackBerry Times in China, who has what appears to be an early version of the device. They expect the smooth plastic back to be replaced by the leather look RIM favors on its higher end devices, but otherwise the unit looks to be pretty solid and far along. The Google-translated Chinese seems to confirm again that the screen is not SurePress. Not a lot of landmark news to be gleaned here, but we're mostly stoked about these delicious bokeh-filled shots of device -- it's really looking good, and the comparison shot with other recent BlackBerrys (check after the break) is rather helpful for sizing this thing up.

[Thanks, Johnny]

[Jmartino Posted Jun 5th 2010 10:51AM]

It looks like a good move to me. It's pretty slick for a bb. I've had bb android and iPod touch. I always feel most comfortable picking up my iPod. Even for typing.

[lidell Posted Jun 5th 2010 11:28AM]

For a BB user this looks the business. For me BB is all about the build and keyboard quality, email and that it works as a phone. Unless someone makes a great android vertical slider BB is going to be the premier choice, esp for business, and this looks like it is.
The OS looks a definite improvement and if the browser is better (and hopefully can run Flash) think will be staying in the BB camp for a long time to come.

[willwillywilson Posted Jun 5th 2010 11:29AM]

Greatttttt now where is an Android version.

[ozzym94 Posted Jun 5th 2010 12:03PM]

Had the palm pre and it was a monumental FAIL! loved my bb 9000. Best phone I had. Hope this measures up!

[kenny goo Posted Jun 5th 2010 1:02PM]

Still not crazy about the curvature or the giant chrome chin on the bottom, but it's still pretty nice. I wonder if that Magnum prototype will come to fruition as the Bold replacement along side this in the future.

[RebelWithACause Posted Jun 5th 2010 1:36PM]

Will I be able to get OS 6 on my BlackBerry Bold 9700?

[Flintstone Posted Jun 5th 2010 2:27PM]

I hope, RIM still make the magnum but make it look like the 9700 instead of the old bold. With OS 6 of course.

[codemaker Posted Jun 5th 2010 3:26PM]

@northernalchemy I am not sure what you are talking about with the landscape typing thing, but this BB will have both landscape and portrait on-screen keyboards.

[weinerschnitzelboy Posted Jun 5th 2010 4:17PM]

The chin is a bit large... This is actually looks better than the spy photos.

[Thor e Posted Jun 5th 2010 6:49PM]

Wow. I gotta say this is a very attractive piece and I'm looking forward to learning the actual specs and getting a little hands on time. I do like Black Berries Probably won't make me leave my Palm pre, but of all the phones out, so long as it runs well, it's definately the closest so far. But... I don't think I could use anything but WebOS now that I'm spoiled.. so that's a big disadvantage out the gate.

[wako Posted Jun 5th 2010 7:52PM]

i hate the Beijing accent...

[Mr iPhone Posted Jun 6th 2010 1:22AM]

I love how they guy in the video is talking chinease (or something) and all of the sudden, "wifi logo" and "profile"...lol

[psycros Posted Jun 6th 2010 1:56AM]

WTH?? For at least a month all I've seen from Engadget and 90% of the commenters on here is *total* hatred of this design. Suddenly most of you like it? What brought you guys around?

[kaliq17 Posted Jun 6th 2010 5:34AM]

still wouldn't buy! i don't think its current enough specs wise! but maybe thats just me!

[mg2384 Posted Jun 7th 2010 8:19AM]

What ive learned is that RIM is doing just fine. They already have a solid foundation for their OS. They dont need to keep revamping it like all these other phones. They build upon what they already have. This is why RIM has been so successful throughout the years. Consumers are comfortable and familiar with RIM because blackberry doesnt stray away from their core OS and people dont have to learn their way around it.

[Mirandac4131 Posted Jun 9th 2010 7:51PM]

Storm 2. Hands down. end of story.

[DigitalDaddy Posted Jul 20th 2010 2:17PM]

Does anyone know when this phone will be released? Will it be available on T-Mobile?