[kingston73]

So I've read as many threads on this as I could find, but most just say "get this" and don't really explain experiences with both. I have an 8900 now, and would like to hear from people who've had both. Is it worth the added expense to upgrade to the 9700? I still have another year on my Tmobile contract, so I would have to pay $260 for the 9700, would it be worth it or should I wait and hope that BB will have a newer, better phone in another year?

Just to be clear, I understand all the 9700 pro's, 3G and trackpad mainly, I just don't know if I'd notice a difference.

[NJBlackBerry]

If you don't know why you need the 9700, then do not get it.
You know all the pros; no one can, or should, convince you to get something you don't need.

[kingston73]

Right, I'm not asking anybody to convince me one way or the other, I just wanted to hear real life experiences and opinions from people who've had both phones.

[dankarlinski]

Wirelessly posted (White and Nerdy)

I find the 9700 to be faster. The 3G is nice if your in a 3G rich area. Camera is nice as well to have. However, if 3G isn't a must, the 8900 will work fine

[NJBlackBerry]

I much prefer the 9700 -having the 3G largely (but not totally) negates the need for WiFi. The trackpad blows away the trackball.

[BallHawk3]

Trackpad and Processor speed is worth it alone!

3G, wasn't really a sell, though I must admit, I do appreciate it a lot more now that I have it. Browsing speed improved slightly, barely noticed to be honest (prob due to the BB browser). But streaming and downloading of course is much quicker. Where 3G shines is voice & data at the same time! Can't believe how long I went without this. Take it from someone who's phone goes off constantly....phone calls, BBM, AIM and Yahoo Messenger (which are signed on 24/7) being able to do voice and data simultaneously is priceless!

Trackpad, like mentioned aboved, just blows the trackball away. I have never had a problem with the trackball on any of my blackberrys, but the trackpad is just that much nicer.

What I really appreciated immediately was the processor speed. It was just so much quicker. Talking about 524mhz vs 624mhz. I noticed a huge difference in speed. Now whenever I use the 8900, or a blackberry tour, its just so slow compared to my 9700.

[kingston73]

How well have you found the 9700 to switch from 3G to edge or GSM? One issue I find with my 8900 is if I'm on UMA, it will drop a call when switching to EDGE. A related question, have any of you had both phones at the same time, or have you noticed better reception from the 9700 in marginal areas?

[BallHawk3]

Originally Posted by kingston73

How well have you found the 9700 to switch from 3G to edge or GSM? One issue I find with my 8900 is if I'm on UMA, it will drop a call when switching to EDGE. A related question, have any of you had both phones at the same time, or have you noticed better reception from the 9700 in marginal areas?

I have issues with 3G handoff. Quite a few complaints from people as well.

It's a known issue on t-mobile. Looks like the next t-mobile update will "correct" the problem.

It's frustrating, calls would drop where they normally don't, because of switching from 3G to EDGE. Also have that issue of it dropping to GPRS while on a call and not switching back to 3G until after you hang up the call.

But to answer your question....YES, overall reception is better. I live in los angeles and a majority of the places I goto have 3G. I've noticed stronger signal and "extended" coverage because of the extra 3G band. The only issue is switching from 3G to EDGE, just like the UMA problem of dropping calls.

A test I did with my 9700 within weeks of getting it, I left it on 2G only. And it work basically exactly like my 8900, calls stopped dropping on my daily commutes.

[wabbit]

as far as i can tell one is edge one is 3g. why would i use the slower speed and pay the same as for 3g. its silly to buy an edge phone and pay the same as 3g.

[BallHawk3]

Originally Posted by wabbit

as far as i can tell one is edge one is 3g. why would i use the slower speed and pay the same as for 3g. its silly to buy an edge phone and pay the same as 3g.

He says he has an 8900 right now, and is curious if it is worth to shell out the extra dough for the 9700.

It's not a which one should I buy, 8900 or 9700. In that case 9700 does make the 8900 obsolete, because their pricing is so similar.