BlackBerry Bold 9790 review

Internet is basic
The 2.45in display is not really ideal for browsing full-blown websites, although it is still possible to view them. The inclusion of pinch-to-zoom does make it possible to navigate websites, although there is a noticeable checker board effect when zooming in and you will have to be prepared to view web pages in bite-sized chunks. We generally found viewing mobile sites much better, but users wanting something akin to a desktop web experience should look at getting a larger device.

Browsing is swift. In our tests, we were able to load web pages in a couple of seconds over 3G when using a Vodafone test SIM. Browsing over Wi-Fi is even smoother, as would be expected.

The lack of Adobe Flash support and small screen mean this isn't the device for someone who wants to view a lot of video content. That said, it is still possible to view videos from YouTube as HTML5 is supported, which should keep most people happy.

Battery life and calls
A surprisingly good feature of the device is the battery life. The 1230mAh pack is  the same that is found in the high-end Bold 9900. The smaller screen size of the 9790 works to its advantage here as it drains less juice.

With moderate usage you will be able to get well over a day's usage from the 9790. However, when you start to sync up email, social networking accounts and make phone calls, battery is likely to drop to a full working day.

The Bold 9790 is available free from £21 per month or around the £340 mark SIM-free. It is a good choice for users who are looking for a dedicated messaging device. Considering that the device performs just as well as the Bold 9900, has a slightly longer battery life and is cheaper, it could be a better option.

Business users who have the budget for two devices and who want a dedicated messaging device could do worse than invest in this handset.

However, for those wanting an all-round smartphone and who are only looking to invest in one device it would be better to shell out the extra for an iPhone 4S or high-end Android such as the Galaxy S II or Galaxy Nexus.