The BlackBerry Bold series was synonymous with business productivity and premium design. But which Bold truly stood out? We're pitting the iconic 9780 against the innovative 9900, dissecting their features to determine which offers the better experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 wins thanks to its faster processor, touchscreen display, and video recording capabilities. However, the 9780 remains a compelling choice for those prioritizing a physical keyboard and slightly longer battery life in certain usage scenarios.
| 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 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, October. Released 2010, November | 2011, May. Released 2011, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 109 x 60 x 14 mm (4.29 x 2.36 x 0.55 in) | 115 x 66 x 10.5 mm (4.53 x 2.60 x 0.41 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 122 g (4.30 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 360 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~246 ppi density) | 640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.44 inches, 18.4 cm2 (~28.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~32.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 65K colors | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 624 MHz | 1.2 GHz QC 8655 |
| 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 |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, BlackBerry Maps |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UMA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | HTML |
| Sensors | - | Proximity, compass |
| | 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 50 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 528 h (2G) / Up to 408 h (3G) | Up to 307 h (2G) / Up to 307 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h (2G) / Up to 6 h (3G) | Up to 6 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.41 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | 0.76 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB |
Noise -86.3dB / Crosstalk -81.2dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1304:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 68dB
|
Voice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 76dB
|
BlackBerry Bold 9780
- Excellent physical keyboard
- Solid build quality
- Slightly longer battery life (in some scenarios)
- Classic BlackBerry design
- Slower processor
- No video recording
- Outdated display technology
- Limited app ecosystem compared to modern smartphones
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900
- Faster processor
- Touchscreen display
- Video recording capability
- Sleek and modern design
- Improved camera (likely)
- Shorter battery life (under heavy use)
- Physical keyboard absent
- Fragile screen (common complaint)
- Limited app ecosystem compared to modern smartphones
Display Comparison
The 9900 boasts a vibrant touchscreen display, offering a more modern and interactive experience. The 9780 relies on a smaller, non-touchscreen display, which some may find more comfortable for reading text but lacks the versatility of a touchscreen. Both have a nominal contrast ratio of 1304:1, indicating good image quality, but the 9900's larger size and touchscreen capabilities provide a significant advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo capabilities, but the 9900 adds video recording. The 9900's camera likely offers slightly improved image quality due to advancements in sensor technology during its production. The 9780's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but lacks the versatility of the 9900's video recording.
Performance
The 9900's 1.2 GHz Qualcomm QC 8655 processor significantly outperforms the 9780's 624 MHz CPU. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The 9780, while capable, feels noticeably slower by comparison.
Battery Life
While both devices utilize BlackBerry's proprietary battery technology, the 9780 often demonstrated slightly better battery life in certain usage scenarios, particularly with heavy keyboard use. However, the 9900's larger screen and more powerful processor can impact battery life under heavy use.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Bold 9780 is ideal for users who heavily rely on a physical keyboard for typing and prefer a more traditional smartphone experience. The Bold Touch 9900 is best suited for those who want a touchscreen interface, faster performance, and the ability to record videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Bold 9780 still worth buying?
It depends. If you prioritize a physical keyboard and don't need video recording, it can be a decent option. However, be aware of its limitations in terms of performance and app availability.
❓ Which BlackBerry Bold has the best camera?
The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 generally has the better camera due to its ability to record video and likely improved sensor technology.
