BlackBerry Bold 9780 vs 9790: A Classic Comparison

The BlackBerry Bold series was synonymous with premium smartphones. The 9780 and 9790, while similar, offered subtle yet important differences. This review dives deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which model best suits your needs, especially if considering a vintage BlackBerry.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The BlackBerry Bold 9790 edges out the 9780 thanks to its faster 1.0 GHz processor and slightly improved overall performance. Both offer the classic BlackBerry experience, but the 9790 provides a more responsive and modern feel, making it the preferred choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	BlackBerry Bold 9780	BlackBerry Bold 9790

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800
Speed	HSPA	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / HSPA
	HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100	HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100

Launch
Announced	2010, October. Released 2010, November	2011, November. Released 2011, December
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	109 x 60 x 14 mm (4.29 x 2.36 x 0.55 in)	110 x 60 x 11.4 mm (4.33 x 2.36 x 0.45 in)
Keyboard	QWERTY	QWERTY
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	122 g (4.30 oz)	107 g (3.77 oz)
	Optical trackpad	Optical trackpad

Display
Resolution	480 x 360 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~246 ppi density)	480 x 360 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~245 ppi density)
Size	2.44 inches, 18.4 cm2 (~28.2% screen-to-body ratio)	2.45 inches, 18.6 cm2 (~28.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT, 65K colors	TFT

Platform
CPU	624 MHz	Marvel Tavor MG1 1.0 GHz
OS	BlackBerry OS 6.0	BlackBerry OS 7.0

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal	256MB 512MB RAM	8GB 768MB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	5 MP, AF	5 MP, AF
Video	Yes	480p

Selfie camera
	No	No

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.1, A2DP	2.1, A2DP, EDR
NFC	-	Carrier dependent
Positioning	GPS, A-GPS	GPS, A-GPS
Radio	No	No
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UMA	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band

Features
Browser	HTML	-
	BlackBerry maps Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF) Media player MP3/WMA/AAC+ Video player DivX/WMV/XviD/3gp Organizer Voice memo/dial Predictive text input	-

Battery
Music play	-	Up to 33 h
Stand-by	Up to 528 h (2G) / Up to 408 h (3G)	Up to 432 h (2G) / Up to 408 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 6 h (2G) / Up to 6 h (3G)	Up to 5 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 20 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery	Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery (JM-1)

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Black, White
Price	About 90 EUR	About 130 EUR
SAR	1.41 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body)	1.35 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	1.15 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body)	1.56 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB	Noise -89.4dB / Crosstalk -32.7dB
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 35h
Camera	Photo	Photo
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1043:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 68dB	Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 63dB

BlackBerry Bold 9780

Classic BlackBerry design
Compact and pocketable
Physical QWERTY keyboard
Reliable and durable

Slower processor
Limited app support
Outdated camera
Proprietary battery

BlackBerry Bold 9790

Faster processor (1.0 GHz)
Improved performance
Classic BlackBerry design
Physical QWERTY keyboard
Reliable and durable

Limited app support
Outdated camera
Proprietary battery
Slightly larger than 9780

Display Comparison

Both the 9780 and 9790 feature 3.2-inch displays with a 342 x 416 resolution and a nominal contrast ratio of 1043:1. While the specifications are identical, subjective user experience might vary slightly due to panel variations. Both offer decent visibility in most lighting conditions, but don't expect vibrant colors or high brightness levels by today's standards.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature a 3.2MP camera. Image quality is comparable, producing acceptable photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is poor on both, as expected for cameras of this era. Video recording is limited to VGA resolution, which is quite low by modern standards. Don't expect high-quality photography or videography from either device.

Performance

The most significant difference lies in the processor. The 9780 has a 624 MHz CPU, while the 9790 boasts a 1.0 GHz Marvel Tavor MG1 processor. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience on the 9790. The 9780 can feel sluggish at times, especially when running multiple applications.

Battery Life

The 9790 has an endurance rating of 35 hours, which is a slight improvement over the 9780. Real-world battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the 9790 generally offers slightly longer usage between charges. Both devices use a proprietary battery, making replacements essential over time.

Buying Guide

The BlackBerry Bold 9780 is ideal for users who prioritize a slightly smaller form factor and a more compact design. It's a good option for those seeking a reliable, classic BlackBerry experience on a budget. The BlackBerry Bold 9790 is better suited for users who value performance and responsiveness, even on an older device. It's a worthwhile upgrade if you want a smoother experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the BlackBerry Bold 9790 worth buying in 2023?

If you're a BlackBerry enthusiast seeking a classic experience and don't need modern smartphone features, the 9790 can be a fun and functional device. However, be aware of its limitations regarding app support and security updates.

❓ What's the difference between the 9780 and 9790?

The primary difference is the processor speed – the 9790 has a faster 1.0 GHz processor compared to the 9780's 624 MHz. This results in a noticeable performance improvement on the 9790.