RIM BlackBerry 9700 (photos)

The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 is available now from AT&T for $99.99 with a two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is the successor to the original Bold and brings new features, such as a sleeker design, next-gen processor, and updated operating system.

The Bold 9700 boasts a more compact design than that of its predecessor, measuring 4.29 inches tall by 2.36 inches wide by 0.56 inch thick and weighing 4.3 ounces.

Given the smaller size, you do lose a little bit in screen real estate. The Bold 9700 has a 2.44-inch display (compared with 2.75 inches) but its 480x360-pixel resolution at 245 pixels per inch certainly keeps things clear and sharp.

On the left spine of the phone, you'll find a 3.5mm headphone jack, a Micro-USB port, and a customizable convenience key.

Like the latest BlackBerrys, RIM replaces the trackball with an optical trackpad. It's extremely responsive and an easy transition from the trackball.

Though not as spacious as the original model, the Bold 9700's 35-button keyboard is easy to use. The large and comfortable buttons are ideal for typing both short text messages and longer e-mails.

On the back, you'll find the smartphone's 3.2-megapixel camera and flash. The camera has variable zoom, auto focus, video recording capabilities, and standard editing options.

While we were happy with outdoor shots, the Bold's camera struggled a bit with indoor shots. Images were clear, but we wish colors were a little brighter.