Soldato
Any of you had major issues with your 9900s? Got mine about a month ago and now the trackpad/touchscreen are playing up and I'm probably gunna have to send it off for a replacement and put up with a crappy phone!
Blackberry 9900/9930
- Thread starter james.miller
- Start date
I've just got my 9900 on Orange (unbranded from phones4u). I'm really pleased with it so far - it certainly feels premium and with the improved browsing it's probably the best handset I've owned.
I've always found apps to be gimmicky and the majority pointless. There are some interesting ones available, but for the most part I like to text, call and browse the Internet so this is great. I had an HTC Desire previously and probably made use of 2 or 3 apps so they're certainly not missed.
I was concerned before purchasing that a lot of people have had issues with phones bricking, dodgy trackpads etc. etc. so it was with some trepidation that I fired up my first 9900. Everything seemed fine, but within 2 hours a bright blue line of dead pixels randomly appeared running vertically along the left hand side of the screen. Nothing fixed it so I returned it the next day (having owned it for half a day!) and got it replaced instantly.
This one seems to be free of problems at the moment, although I don't hold out much hope considering how many different problems have been reported! We'll have to wait and see, but for the time being I'm very happy with the 9900.
I've always found apps to be gimmicky and the majority pointless. There are some interesting ones available, but for the most part I like to text, call and browse the Internet so this is great. I had an HTC Desire previously and probably made use of 2 or 3 apps so they're certainly not missed.
I was concerned before purchasing that a lot of people have had issues with phones bricking, dodgy trackpads etc. etc. so it was with some trepidation that I fired up my first 9900. Everything seemed fine, but within 2 hours a bright blue line of dead pixels randomly appeared running vertically along the left hand side of the screen. Nothing fixed it so I returned it the next day (having owned it for half a day!) and got it replaced instantly.
This one seems to be free of problems at the moment, although I don't hold out much hope considering how many different problems have been reported! We'll have to wait and see, but for the time being I'm very happy with the 9900.
Soldato
Yeah don't get me wrong, I love it 
I know what you mean about apps, I try to keep them to a minimum. I like having one to use the camera LED as a torch, it's so bright so very useful I find.
I think a lot of people have had issues, but there are plenty who's are running fine. My Girlfriends got one too and her's has been fine since day one.
Unfortunately I'm outside of the time when I can get an instant replacement
I know what you mean about apps, I try to keep them to a minimum. I like having one to use the camera LED as a torch, it's so bright so very useful I find.
I think a lot of people have had issues, but there are plenty who's are running fine. My Girlfriends got one too and her's has been fine since day one.
Unfortunately I'm outside of the time when I can get an instant replacement
Soldato
Hey all, for those with BB9900's on Orange, UMA aka "Signal Boost" or whatever we are calling it this week will be coming by Firmware upgrade in Feb. Not sure which release it will be in though sorry.
Soldato
Excellent as I presume UMA means if you have no actual mobile signal it can use wi-fi and you still get a signal? am I correct in that.
If so that would be useful as at work I have no mobile phone signal but I do have wi-fi.
Soldato
100% correct, UMA basically routes the call via the public internet (or via private VPN if you're a cool kid and have a mega super orange corporate contract) instead of the traditional radio network. You get a small bit of added latency but nothing terrible. The only problem is you need to be able to see our UMA server so sometimes you get the odd proxy in the way but hopefully you should be fine.
Caporegime
Rumours are that it will be a 7.1 OS update in Feb.
Soldato
Yeah the downside to it being I believe UMA works over TLS for authentication so you might need our build of the OS to run UMA on Orange or at the very least, our cert.
Just got one of these yesterday & upgraded to the latest official 7.1 build from Crackberry.
Loving the design & build quality. The combination of touch screen & keyboard is fantastic, there's still nothing better than a Blackberry in my eyes when it comes to just getting the job done.
Loving the design & build quality. The combination of touch screen & keyboard is fantastic, there's still nothing better than a Blackberry in my eyes when it comes to just getting the job done.
Soldato
Just got my 9900 today
The OS it has is 7.0.0.261 , is it worth upgrading this?
Can I use a firmware meant for another carrier? This is a SIM free set, purchased in Malaysia
The OS it has is 7.0.0.261 , is it worth upgrading this?
Can I use a firmware meant for another carrier? This is a SIM free set, purchased in Malaysia
Caporegime
Yep you sure can, you can update to the latest OS which is 7.1, slightly different to the shipping version which is OS 7.0...7.1 just gives you wifi hotspot and a few new tools in the settings.
Go here to download the latest OS: https://swdownloads.blackberry.com/...C35A169B0&dl=AF4CCB1D078EBCB15906254652FA4789
Go here to find instructions on how to install the latest OS: http://forums.crackberry.com/tips-how-faq-f3/proper-upgrade-downgrade-procedure-53359/
Just be aware that you will need to delete the vendor.xml file and it should install to your device. If you dont delete it then the OS wont install. I do my OS upgrades via the advanced procedure and ive never had anything go wrong with my OS upgrades.
So I have been using the 9900 for about 3 weeks now as my daily phone so thought I would drop in and give my opinion
I have to say for me, this is quite simply the best communication device on the market at the moment. The call quality is excellent and the keyboard is simply outstanding; nothing comes close.
The browser is so much better than previous bb devices (whether that's due to the faster chip or re-coded browser I'm not sure). The only thing that let's the browsing experience down is the naturally smaller screen but you know this when deciding on a device of this form factor.
The only downside is probably the battery, I'm struggling to get through a full day on the latest firmware, something that never happened on the torch. Obviously the app environment is lacking but honestly I don't miss this at all (I have had Android phones in the past)
Integration with the playbook is excellent - I'm using the 9900 keyboard to post in this forum on my playbook.
I work for Everything Everywhere so get to handle all the latest devices. Before receiving the 9900 I was seriously considering the HTC One X but now it just seems so cumbersome to use as a communication device compared to the 9900. If media or apps are something you really look for in a device then this isn't the phone for you. If your after something that excels in email, text and calling then I'm not sure there is anything better on the market at the moment.
I have to say for me, this is quite simply the best communication device on the market at the moment. The call quality is excellent and the keyboard is simply outstanding; nothing comes close.
The browser is so much better than previous bb devices (whether that's due to the faster chip or re-coded browser I'm not sure). The only thing that let's the browsing experience down is the naturally smaller screen but you know this when deciding on a device of this form factor.
The only downside is probably the battery, I'm struggling to get through a full day on the latest firmware, something that never happened on the torch. Obviously the app environment is lacking but honestly I don't miss this at all (I have had Android phones in the past)
Integration with the playbook is excellent - I'm using the 9900 keyboard to post in this forum on my playbook.
I work for Everything Everywhere so get to handle all the latest devices. Before receiving the 9900 I was seriously considering the HTC One X but now it just seems so cumbersome to use as a communication device compared to the 9900. If media or apps are something you really look for in a device then this isn't the phone for you. If your after something that excels in email, text and calling then I'm not sure there is anything better on the market at the moment.
This may well be a very stupid question, but I'm going to ask it anyway...
Are you still charged by your service provider (in my case Orange) for calls made over WiFi? Not tried it but figured it might be a way to save my free minutes when at home if not.
Are you still charged by your service provider (in my case Orange) for calls made over WiFi? Not tried it but figured it might be a way to save my free minutes when at home if not.
Soldato
i am also interested in this. I have good signal at home with orange, but since updating the software on the 9900 I have noticed wifi calling option. Do not know if it is worth putting on or not.
This is exactly the reason I own the 9900, and why I cannot see myself replacing it with anything bar the BB10 QWERTY device. But even that loses the dedicated call buttons which I like so much
Any ideas anyone?
Caporegime
Probably best to call Orange and find out from them. Doubt if anyone on here would know as there arent many BB users here as it is.
You could try over at crackberry and ask there to see if anyone knows.
Soldato
I think my 9900 has had it. Major battery issues. I can charge it all night and 2 hours later it will be dead. Charge it for 10 mins then back up to like 80%, then it would die over and over.
Tried a security wipe and a software update from scratch, still the same. Cleaned the terminals etc.
Now using a HTC Hero until I get my S4 next week.
My 9900 has served my very well until now, and has had lots of abuse being used in a workshop daily! That's the end of my Blackberry ownership for now
(Just noticed the age of this thread before submitting, oh well
)
Tried a security wipe and a software update from scratch, still the same. Cleaned the terminals etc.
Now using a HTC Hero until I get my S4 next week.
My 9900 has served my very well until now, and has had lots of abuse being used in a workshop daily! That's the end of my Blackberry ownership for now
(Just noticed the age of this thread before submitting, oh well
)