It is, windows mobile IS archaic compared even to BBOS, WM7 looks promising, but unless its a confirmed update on the HD2, no point buying it.Also the glaring 65k olor limitation.
I’ll have to really stretch my budget for HD2. WM7…well the advantages of 6.5 is that it already has a large and solid app library for it. And who knows, maybe 6.5 will have a better UI than 7.
Thanks bro, that’s very helpful of you. 
Could you please share your personal experiences of web browsing on the 9000?
Also, for browsing please use Bolt Browser, its MUCH better than both Opera and the default browser. Ive seen that many sites load properly on the bolt browser which do not load as well as it should on the other two browsers.
I dint do much browsing when compared to what u might be expecting…but how much ever it was, I was satisfied…used it mainly for Google maps and it was awesome, was very help during my visits to Goa, Delhi, Mumbai,etc..
One important point, if u not gonna use the push email feature much then u might complain about the features of it later..
Dont even consider any other phone besides the Bold 2. I’ve been on Blackberry since 2007, and can definitely say that the email functionality of Blackberry is by far better than anything I have seen. Web browsing is not the best, but definitely usable. and with the increasing number of free apps on the BB app store, the number and quality of available software is increasing as well. Also, if u open pdf and MS office on the phone, i would definitely recommend any QWERTY blackberry.
I had bought the Curve in 2007, and was definitely happy with it. Then for a short while last year i switched over to the E71 for its looks, and HATED it. The email functionality was nowhere close to the Blackberry and MS Office and PDF viewing were a pain in the butt. After 3 months of using the E71, i switched over to the Bold 9000 and couldn’t be happier. I would rate iPhone web browsing better than the Bold but not better in the viewing of documents and email capabilities. I cannot comment on Treo and Android phones.
Also, most importantly, the Blackberry Messenger. Nothing better than having all your fellow BB users on an exclusive BB messenger which lets u chat on the go with instant delivery instead of SMS/email. With an increasing number of people getting BBs, BBM is the thing to watch out for.
All in all, I would HIGHLY recommend Blackberry. If email/viewing/editing documents and limited web browsing is your thing, it is THE phone to get. Android has all the google apps and capabilities which are available on the blackberry as well (including GOOGLE maps), but your blackberry functions will not be available on any Android phone. Think about it.
@hyperknight, BB email service can be used on other platforms too and a non-BB phone with BB service easily outguns BB phones. For doc editing, pdf reading and emails/browsing, phones like HTC Hero, Samsung B7610, HD2, Nexus One etc are among the best.
guys i have a bb 9700 and im really happy with this phone except i cant get the damn wifi to work, i have an airtel broadband connection at home and the airtel wifi router, the phone was purchased from a local shop with bill and warranty and its a vodafone blackberry handset with vodafone live pre loaded, can any of you tell me how i can get the wifi to work in this phone.
thanks.
I always wanted to buy 9700 but its good i have not as it sad device with worse keypad, and even at that price no good browser. So i dont say its worth the price better take lower. models still old bold 9000 rocks
buy the hd2 . u can flash the software and the cell radio and it becomes even better .
office files look better on the hd2 . forget winmo 7 as it will have its bugs when it releases.
ive used the hd2 for 3 months . its the best phone . buy a grey market hd2 as u can flash the software to make it better .
flashing voids ur warranty anyway . hd2 now selling on ebay for 26000.
or u can also consider the hd mini for 22000 .
blackberry is a very very closed operating system . buy a e71 instead of a blackberry as at least u can check ur mail using wifi. with berry u have to buy the expensive blackberry service which is 1000+INR per month on vodafone india !!!
e72 has a lot of bugs . e71 has recd a lot of software updates and is a very stable phone now . speed diff is hardly noticable .
e71 or hd2 . chose one of the two . but stay away from blackberry . its a very expensive service and a very closed operating system . after sales of a blackberry is a nightmare as the phones need to be sent to their chennai service centre that means if something happens to ur phone ull have be without a phone for at least 15-20 days .
hd 2 has no problems and evan if u encounter any bugs un the hd2 u can just flash the software .
nokia after sales is the best .. e71 is value for money .
i am not a big fan of nokia touch phones but their eseries is the best amongst all their phones . e71/e72 are excellent award winning phones . 
save some money and pick the e71 over the e72
Even im going through the very same dilemma .. and probably ill be sticking to buy a BB 9700 .. because .. one of my friends has it .. and i found it very easy and fun to deal with .. with a very good look .. a leather back and a metal finishing by the side impressed me a lot .. and its UI is very good .. and to your good news .. if you’re a prepaid airtel user.. theres a prepaid BB plan too .. for some 300-400 bucks only per month .. which is probably the half of the unlimited plan .. i wont be activating my BB plan now .. will do it when ill be having a large no. of BB friends so that BBM comes into use ..!!! 
but yes .. BOLD 9700 is a very good phone .. another advice .. try ebay .. there are many who are selling it for much more lower price than those on-street local shops .. heres a link ..!! :
cheers ..!! 
Already bought it about a month ago. 
ohh .. sorry .. so how does it feel ?
It’s nice overall. Build quality is great, but the screen is a fingerprint magnet. Very smooth interface. Browsing is decent, not as bad as some had said.
Use Opera Mini 5(if you aren’t using it already), its awesome.
And with the new Webkit OS 6.0 coming out, Bold 9700 will really be a good phone.
^^ .. I am busy arranging funds for the very same ..
well, unless you really need a new phone, you’re betting of waiting for the Bold 9650.
I have the 9700,nothig beats the comfort you get in a BB dude..Also it is by far the sturdiest set of phones to have hit india !
karan_n8 how is bose speakers , is it worth the price