[stephen3rd]

Folks,

The question i am struggling with at the moment is 9700 or 9100, Bold or new Pearl?

I have had a Pearl 8100 for the past 3 years and i am desperate for a change.

I would like to run with Blackberry 6 when it is released later in the year and from what i have found both of these devices "should" support it.

My preference would be for the larger screen of the Bold and obviously there are very few people that have had their hands on the 9100 to get a true comparison.

Interested to see what others are thinking.

Let discussion commence...

[phonejunky]

go for the 9700 men and Pearls don't mix lol just joking (somewhat).

From a personal standpoint I would say go for the 9700 you get more storage space for music and pics because of the sd card speace the 9700 can hold over the Pearl. Umm what else their both honestly good Blackberry's I think but you won't be doing anything but gaining more capabilities with the 9700. Bigger keyboard bigger screen and still small enough to fit in your pocket nice an comfortably.

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[SirNC]

I can't say I have ever used a 9100 (or any Pearl), but I have just upgraded to a 9700 and I love it andw ould highly recommend it.

[snowindec9]

im getting a new device in may. i have been using my current device-9000 long enough. time for a change. i will also be deciding between these two. yep will give the 9700 a second look. but there is nothing wrong with a guy walking out with a pearl. the 9100 is slim and sexy. oh boy a very tough decision to make. may is upon me.

[MaestroDarius]

I'm a Pearl user but I'm upgrading to the 9700 this week. The screen size is really important for me, after having used the Pearl's little display.

[Pi Guy 3.14]

I agree with the last one. I had a couple pearls which I loved but I wouldn't trade the bigger screen just for a better keyboard.

[stephen3rd]

Get the impression most people are very happy with their 9700's.

But bear in mind i am thinking about the 9100 3G Pearl that was only announced this week.

Thanks for the help folks

[symon_say]

9700 is the best BB you can get for now.

[californiablackberry]

Your always going to have a different opinion from everyone.
Most of them will say the Bold 9700 because of screen size, keyboard and specs.
The Pearl 3G is an amazing device also and I will hopefully be purchasing one when it releases on Verizon.

[maxiang]

A few reasons I'm not into the 9100 (though I'm glad RIM updated it):

1. I prefer full qwerty over SureType.
2. I like bigger screens.
3. I love fake leather battery doors.

That is all

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[nourez]

I've used the 9700 and one of the old pearls (8100 I think? It was the first Pearl they released). The Bold and The Pearl (that sounds like a really bad soap opera) cater to two different markets. The Pearl is good enough if you want a phone that you can occasionally check your email on and send a message or two, while the Bold is much better for power users who are sending many messages, browsing the web, posting on forums, etc.

Both phones are good, it's just a matter of what you're planning on using them for.

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[pilsbury]

Had a few 8100a, before that full keyboard Berries. I have to have a full keyboard device, could not get used to the suretype gig.

[maxiang]

I've used the 9700 and one of the old pearls (8100 I think? It was the first Pearl they released). The Bold and The Pearl (that sounds like a really bad soap opera)...

LOL!!!

...cater to two different markets.

Agreed.

The Pearl is good enough if you want a phone that you can occasionally check your email on and send a message or two, while the Bold is much better for power users who are sending many messages, browsing the web, posting on forums, etc.

Kinda disagree. There are more than a few people who can bang out a ton of messages faster using SureType than full qwerty...I'm just not one of them

Both phones are good, it's just a matter of what you're planning on using them for.

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Agree...somewhat. I haven't looked into it, but I believe I heard Kevin mention on the WES podcast that the 9100 and 9700 share the same internal specs so it really comes down to form factor preference IMHO

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[BoldtotheMax]

I don't think you can lose with either, just comes down to form factor OP...

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[converteddroid]

I love my 9700! The Pearl 8100 was my gateway phone, but I don't think I could ever go back. Plus, I think that there is a reason that Blackberry.com is showing the Pearl with purple and pink color options. Just sayin'.

[pacmanghostx]

Full QWERTY FTW.

Bold FTW.

[unlocktycoon]

Easy choice. Go with the 9700. You won't look back....

[stephen3rd]

It seems that the preference is for the 9700.

Thats nice and handy as the 9700 is on our Corporate list.

You've been a great help.

[ilovemileyyy]

Bold for sure!

[K Bear]

Essentially the guts of the 9100 and the 9700 are the same. So your only real question is what size phone do you prefer and do you want SureType vs. full QWERTY.

Coming from and 8120 to the 9700 has had its ups and downs. I loved the SureType keypad and sleek design of the 8120, but the device had seen better days. If I could have waited for the 9100, I probably wouldn't have purchased the 9700.

[DaPhoneking]

Why not get both?

[MaestroDarius]

Why not get both?

Lol yeh! Why not? xD

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[cdicesare2002]

Its whats better for you. I've got a few friends with the pearl. They love it, I know many people with 8900 and 9700 who say its gods hand made blackberry. it comes down to what feels right in your hands. I can't stand the feel or form of the pearl. and the high profile of my Jobs require me to be on it an ton. So i went with the best blackberry for my needs, the 9700.

No one can tell you what will fit your needs better. This is why i don't understand why people ask this. You have the same information on both devices that we have. So read what we read, feel them in your hand because only you know what feels better and make your own decision my friend. Don't ask what you should get, you could just ask for opinions.

[gniss39]

I heard the 9100 is GSM. Does this mean it won't be coming to Verizon anytime in the near future?

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[mciriello]

Given that it's not much bigger and far more useful, I'd go with the 9700. The Pearl made more sense to me back when the QWERTY BB's were huge.