I have used almost every blackberry over the last 10 years. I am a fan and friends joke that they have never seen me without one in hand. Got the new 9900 and have decidedly mixed thoughts. On the positive side, the hardware is very nice (although heavier and wider than last few bolds). The screen is Great -- finally web pages are actually recognizable. Touchscreen integration is interesting -- useful in many respects, but makes we aware of how often I inadvertently touch the screen while typing or talking. I will learn to hold the device on its edges, but for a former blackberry user, this is a change. I think the OS 7 (seems identical to me to OS 6) works well on this device and is well-suited in most cases for touchscreen use. Two finger "pinch" zoom works, but does not reformat text as it does on IOS devices.
I have a few meaningful complaints, though. So far, my battery life is not great. I talk and browse alot and never had an issue with the last Bold (or any other blackberry). Now, i run down to 50% very quickly. I am hoping that this is a new battery / conditioning issue. My biggest complaint is the camera -- The lack of auto-focus is a very strange and unwelcome step backwards. I have taken some great, impromptu family and business photos with the older blackberry devices. While a real camera is obviously better, the "always available" nature of the smartphone allowed for some great moments -- I had camera on a convenience key and used it. The new camera, without auto-focus sucks beyond words. I have read that this was a hardware issue (to preserve thin phone), but whoever at Blackberry thought it made sense to gut the camera should be fired.
Also, many won't care, but I still use a corded headset and have noticed that several of my older blackberry headsets are not auto detected by the 9900. some work, though, so i assume it has to do with the design of the headset and not the device.
Overall, a nice device. No way this converts an iphone user, but a nice berry for berry users.
Good phone for new Blackberry users but Ok phone for BB amateurs. After such a long wait it has been a disapointment to see so many cons add up near the tower of pros for this phone and also so little change with the essentials being forgotten (like the Auto-Focus). I have given my Blackberry Bold 9780 away recently in order to get this phone...but now I regret it and all I have in mind is getting it back !!! :'(
Best Smartphone for Businss out there. Not even close ...I have had no call issues or voice quality with my phone.
Three steps backwards, three steps forward (battery lire, no auto focus, call quality vs, NFC, Touch/Zoom and snappier speed. Just slightly more compelling for BB users to upgrade but not enough to convert new smartphone users. When will RIM actually retake a LEAD in the market they once established?
I am a long-time BB user, although not a corporate account. I currently own 9700 and Playbook. I waited months for this phone to come out, but it has turned out to be a big disappointment. While it looks cool and the keyboard is great, I can think of no good reason to get this phone instead of a BB 9780. At this point, I am considering going to iOS, Android, upgrading from my 9700 to 9780, or nothing (probably in that order). If BB had simply done a 9780 with 9900 keyboard and added mobile hotspot, I would be all over it. Then I could have used my iPod Touch for apps while waiting for the QNX-based BBs. Now I am forced to considering leaving BB. That is a sad state of affairs.