BlackBerry Bold

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The BlackBerry Bold was a line of premium smartphones from BlackBerry (formerly Research In Motion). It started in 2008 with the Bold 9000, which was BlackBerry’s flagship before the Storm. The Bold family was known for its sturdy build, distinctive full QWERTY keyboard, and strong messaging features.

Key Bold models and highlights:
- Bold 9700 (2009) and 9630: smaller, lighter designs that kept the familiar keyboard and BlackBerry feel.
- Bold 9650 (2010): a World Phone that could work on both CDMA and GSM networks and added Wi‑Fi.
- Bold 9780 (2010) and 9788 (2011): improved camera and memory; 9788 was a China variant using TD‑SCDMA.
- Bold 9900 and 9930 (2011): the first Bold with a touchscreen, returning to the classic Bold look with a premium build. 9900 was GSM; 9930 added CDMA compatibility.
- Bold 9790 (2011): a more compact Bold with updated internals.

Software evolution:
- BlackBerry OS 6 released around 2010.
- BlackBerry OS 7 released in 2011, with HTML5 support, better graphics, and improved web experience.
- BlackBerry OS 7.1 released in 2012, adding Wi‑Fi tethering and other features.

Carrier launches:
- Bold 9650 launched on Sprint in May 2010, with Verizon Online in June 2010 and in stores shortly after.
- Bold 9900/9930 rolled out across multiple carriers worldwide in 2011.

Legacy:
- The Bold line was eventually succeeded by newer BlackBerry models, with the BlackBerry Q10 as a notable successor. The Bold family is remembered for its premium materials, reliable messaging, and the enduring physical keyboard.