What's Good: Wi-Fi, trackpad, and more memory.

What's Bad: Keyboard is oddly domed; besides the positive improvements listed in "What's Good," it's virtually identical to the Tour 9630.  Expensive.

Verdict: If you're looking for something to replace your Curve 8330 or 8830 World Edition, the Bold 9650 is worth a look.  But for someone using a Tour 9630 or Curve 8530, I don't think there's enough to justify the upgrade.  I also think the device is a bit pricey, given that the EVO 4G and iPhone 3GS are also $199.99.

Announced at WES 2010 last month, the BlackBerry Bold 9650 has made its way to Sprint (with no Verizon launch in sight as of yet).  Featuring Wi-Fi, a trackpad, additional system memory, and a few cosmetic changes, the device is more of a revision of the Tour 9630 than it is an entirely new model.

The Bold 9650 ships in a box that's identical in size to the Tour 9630 (though the Sprint design has changed a bit).  The unit ships with a battery, SIM card for international travel, USB cable, charger, swivel holster, AC adapter, 2 GB microSD card, and instruction manuals.  From a design perspective, the device closely resembles its older brother, the Tour 9630.  Buttons are in the same place, the chrome looks exactly the same, and the keyboard is the same.  Overall functionality appears to be faster (thanks to the increased system memory), but I'm still running tests to determine if it's true or if it's just me.

I haven't had the device long enough to do any accurate battery tests, but I will say that call quality and signal strength seem to be good.  I briefly took the unit to a Sprint dead spot, and was able to make a call, despite having no bars of service.  The people I've called can all hear me well, and it's clear and loud on my end also.  My Bluetooth headset connects perfectly as well.

Other things that I've found:

• Call me crazy, but I noticed this on the demos at WES 2010, and my unit has the same "issue."  If you place your finger on the trackpad and move from right to left, it's as if the keyboard piece is domed.  It's a strange feeling - it's as if they packed a bunch of stuff under the keyboard, and tried to cram the keyboard over it.  Think of it like overpacking a suitcase; sure, it zips, but you have that telltale bulge in the center of it.  It's just like that.  When I use the keyboard, I feel like it's going to pop off and motherboard components are going to go everywhere.  Maybe I'll get used to it.
• Due to the size increase of the trackpad, the bottom row of the keyboard (space bar row) is a bit smaller versus the Tour.  Overall, the rest is nearly identical.
• The trackpad is a nice addition.  Much better - and more reliable - than the trackball.
• Sprint decided to go with the rubberized back this time around versus the glossy back they used on the Tour 9630.  A welcome improvement, as it doesn't pick up every fingerprint in the world, and it gives the back more consistency. 
• The chrome around the edges looks identical to the chrome around the BlackBerry Tour 9630.  It'll be interesting to see if Verizon goes with the darker chrome from the Tour 9630, or if they stick with the lighter chrome.
• After the negative comments RIM received about putting the microUSB charging port on the lower right hand side of the device (versus the top left as seen on the Bold 9000, 9700, Curve 83XX series, and others), I was surprised to see that they left it in the same place.  I'm guessing it was for design purposes (easier to modify an existing design and get the Bold 9650 to market versus going back to the drawing board).
• "Bold" is written in large letters just above the camera (which is still 3.2-megapixels).
• The battery door is slightly different on the Bold 9650 versus the Tour 9630; the design is comprised of lines versus the carbon fiber look on the Tour 9630.

Now it's time to jump off for the weekend and play with...er, "test" it.  Stay tuned for my full review!