Smartphones Are Not Perfect: BlackBerry Bold 9700

Research In Motion (RIM) co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie as quoted in CrackBerry:

RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM’s customers don’t need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity.

Here are just a few YouTube videos that test the BlackBerry Bold 9700 for signal attenuation:

• TheBerryFix: Couldn’t duplicate signal degradation.
• ajstonet: Video is very blurry but four bars stays at four.
• tompson16: Signal remains strong at five, drops to four when gripping tightly.
• babanoury: Four bars shrink to two.
• craigsmobileuniverse: At the 3:27 mark. Signal drops from five to three.
• SmartphoneNation: Drops from four to one.
• 1timmahh: Five down to zero.
• TheAlSacco: Five down to four using a tight grip with the right hand. Drops to three while gripping with two hands, stays around four.
• StickyGeko: Five down to zero when cradled with two hands.

Twenty years of antenna design…