BlackBerry Tour 9630
Average Ratings
A STEP BACKWARDS
This my fifth Blackberry (4th from VZ) and I am coming from the Curve. Problems so far:
1) Loose Battery Door (others are having the same problem)
2) Tin sounding speaker.
3) I am also getting error messages while I sync
I am in the NY Metro region and I don't see any difference in the surfing speed.
I am thinking about sending it back.
Love the Tour
This phone is one of the best phones I have ever had. The display is like no other. The pictures are so clear; you won't need your digi cam anymore. The processor is fast and the Internet rocks. I previously had the Curve 8330.
Pros
*Awesome display
*Awesome reception
*Phone has a high-end look to it
*Has some nice ring-tones and some familiar ones from the Curve
*Maps application that comes standard works well.
Cons
*Call quality is really good but the highest volume level for calls is still too low
*The keyboard keys weren't made for someone with big fingers
*The battery does not last, even when using the standby mode
*Can't use the micro usb power cables anymore
In the end the one thing I couldn't get past was the small keyboard. The Curve's keys are separate and this makes it very easy to text and send emails, which is what I do the most. The Tour is better in every way than the Curve but the Curve just feels light and convenient in your hands. I can type on the Curve with my eyes closed. On the Tour, I am constantly misspelling words. So I would recommend testing the keyboard if you have medium to large fingers. I returned my Tour and went back to my Curve to wait for an updated Curve. For the vast majority of people, the Tour will blow you away.
I'm Not Impressed.....
It's a great phone but coming from the Curve 8330 I guess I was expecting more. My first Tour had a faulty track ball and of course a very loose battery door.
It was replaced under warranty and the second one is fine.
The Tour is heavier than the Curve and the keys are too close together for my (average size) thumbs.
Was going to go back to my 8330 but I think I'll wait for the new Curve 8520 with the optical pad that replaces the track ball.
On Tour Now ...
Got the Tour yesterday and switched from the BB Storm.
The Tour acts like a "big" curve with the updated (better) OS and screen.
The keyboard takes a little getting used to, but similar to the Curve.
So far, battery life has been good as well as reception.
The only complaint so far is the battery back is loose, not sure if Vz Wireless can fix it. Also, it does not work with the pouch I had for my Storm -- have to the use in the included holster, which I'm not fond of due to the clip on it.
I'll keep touring for now....
Tour
Great phone BUT I am on my THIRD one since its launch. I have had real problems with them locking up to the point that I have to do a hard reset. The first one and to a lesser extint the current one keeps going to the "Switch Application" screen when trying to send an email, etc. Very annoying! I basically have 5 days to decide to keep it and put up with "Switch Application" screen or go back to th 8330.
Still has issues
Just got the tour and will probably return it. Not having any issues with the battery door or the keys. The Tour still shares issues that many other Blackberry devices have. Cannot synch email through the USB port and their desktop manager. Email messages are limited to 32k download. Silly since you can download a 5 megabyte attachment.
Great phone but falls way short
Pros
Great feel
Great Size
Great programs & software
Awesome Camera
Keypad very nice
Cons
Huge issue - defective track balls inherit in the design. I am on my 5th phone in less than 1 year. Sooner or later they always fail.
RIM almost hit a homerun with this unit. Unfortunately the track ball issue trumps everything good about this phone. Go to any BB forum and read the endless complaints and issues regrading the track ball. Most owners have gone through at least 2 or 3 units...
The new 9650 Bold has addressed the issue with a track pad. Do not buy this phone...wait for the 9650.
It's like buying a great laptop but the the keyboard does not work, pointless.
Buyer Beware
The trackball on this device is unresponsive. At times you can roll it five or six times without any response, and then suddenly it will jump forward and bypass the icon you are trying to select.
Curiously enough, when I was buying this phone the person in front of me was returning the same model for the same problem. I incorrectly assumed/hoped he had a one-off problem. Obviously not so.
The other major problem is that the sound quality is unacceptable. The moment I switched to this phone (previously I was using the 8830 addition) almost everyone I was speaking with told me it was almost impossible to hear me.
When I took it back to Verizon, the best they would do is send me a refurbished one. Considering the phone was behaving this way from day one, this option is entirely unsatisfactory to me, especially after paying $369.99 for the phone on August 04, 2009.
After owning dozens of BlackBerrys since they first came out (a longtime loyal fan) I am done forever with both Blackberry and Verizon.
The BB phone issues are unacceptable. The Verizon service issue disappointing after approximately 6 years of loyalty at $200 plus per month.
Time to find a better phone, and a better service provider.
Who cares what the PROs are, if no one can hear you and you cannot make a selection from the menu?
Blackberry Tour- AWESOME
To all those who are dead serious about purchasing a serious smart phone listen up. I have the DISTINCT differences between the Tour and the Palm Pre.
1) BB Tour
PROS: a) Plenty of options and preferences, so that you are able to almost customize the way the phone is setup 100%.
b) Brower is very fast, and processes pages efficiently.
c) The screen resolution and clarity are superior.
d) Phone conversations are crystal clear, whether holding the phone or using the plug in headset.
e) VERY easy email setup
f) External speaker sound is very good.
g) Battery strength is very good.
h) Signal strength is very good.
i) Video camera and camera..great
CONS: a) BB still hasn't firgured out how to put ONE conversation of texts under ONE message box-- BB currently continues to open up new boxes for incoming individuals, even if its the same person. According to Sprint, there will be a release of a 5.0 OS that will resolve these texts message issues.
b) Emails are not organized well. Unless the email carrier, for example, gmail is used, it will setup inbox, outbox, sent and junk; furthermore, the BB will not organize your email accounts with an "inbox, outbox, sent, junk, etc" ALSO, BB will not download all of your previous emails when you load in your account. IT WILL ONLY receive new and send new emails BUT it will not provide previous emails. According to Sprint.. this is the way it is.. thats a bit frustrating for me.
Palm Pre:
PROS: looks great, can multitask, surfs fast
CONS: 1) Flimsy design--dropped once will crack or chip the shell
2) The phone is like an oil absorbing machine.. touch it a few times and its like viewing the screen thru fog.
3) When the phone is fully opened, its looses its structural integrity and is very cheap feeling.
4) VERY SLOW in and out of Apps.
5) Phones prehistoric compared to the BB Tour.
I came running back from the touch pro II
i originally came to this device from the storm, which as everyone knows is an epic failure of a device. i immediately fell in love with the tour. the form factor and size are perfection. it is a very fast device. i was not disappointed by the lack of wifi because i have never used wifi and probably never will. the back cover on the device could be a little more snug with the housing but its not that big of a deal as a have a hard plastic cover over the device. i was excited to hear that verizon was coming out with a predecessor to the tilt so i immediately ordered one. it was a large mistake on my half. the device itself was great but there were no applications available and windows mobile is mostly business oriented and i myself am not. so i returned the touch pro 2 and got my bb back. im glad i did so because of all of my applications and how personalizable it is compared to the touch pro 2. enough rambling...
PROS:
-camera quality
-keyboard
-browser speed
-global gsm capable
-thousands of apps available
-very user friendly
CONS:
-battery life is poor
-i suppose not having wifi in this day and age is a little silly.
-keypad is VERY slightly cramped, but i do have big fingers.
overall i love the phone and recommend it to anyone that loves to be connected to anything at any given moment.
