The BlackBerry Bold series was legendary for its physical keyboards and secure communication. But which Bold reigns supreme? We're pitting the Bold Touch 9930, with its touchscreen, against the iconic Bold 9700, a physical keyboard champion, to see which offers the better experience today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Bold Touch 9930 offers a faster processor and a larger touchscreen, providing a more modern smartphone experience. However, the Bold 9700's physical keyboard remains a beloved feature for dedicated BlackBerry users. Ultimately, the 9930 wins for performance, but the 9700 holds nostalgic appeal.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO | GSM / HSPA |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, May. Released 2011, August | 2009, October. Released 2009, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 115 x 66 x 10.5 mm (4.53 x 2.60 x 0.41 in) | 109 x 60 x 14 mm (4.29 x 2.36 x 0.55 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 122 g (4.30 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 480 x 360 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~246 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~32.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.44 inches, 18.4 cm2 (~28.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT, 65K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.2 GHz QC 8655 | 624 MHz |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 7.0 | BlackBerry 5.0, upgradable to 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 8GB 768MB RAM | 256MB 256MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 3.15 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, BlackBerry Maps | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UMA |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | - |
| | BlackBerry maps
Document viewer
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | BlackBerry maps
Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Media player MP3/WMA/AAC+
Video player DivX/WMV/XviD/3gp
Organizer
Voice memo/dial |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 50 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 307 h (2G) / Up to 307 h (3G) | Up to 408 h |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G) | Up to 6 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 1.38 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | 1.55 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | 1.36 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.8B / Crosstalk -88.6dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 72dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 73dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -89.8B / Crosstalk -88.6dB |
| Camera | - | Photo |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 72dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 73dB |
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930
- Faster Processor
- Larger Touchscreen
- Improved Battery Life
- Slightly Better Camera
- Less Durable Physical Keyboard
- Larger Size
- Potentially Higher Price (if found)
BlackBerry Bold 9700
- Excellent Physical Keyboard
- Compact Size
- Classic BlackBerry Feel
- Generally More Affordable
- Slower Processor
- Smaller Screen
- Shorter Battery Life
- Outdated Software
Display Comparison
The 9930 boasts a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen, offering a more responsive and modern display compared to the 9700's 3.2-inch LCD screen. The 9930's resolution is also slightly higher, resulting in sharper visuals. While the 9700's screen is functional, the 9930's touchscreen is a significant upgrade.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 3.2MP camera, but image quality is generally better on the 9930 due to software enhancements and processing capabilities. Low-light performance is also slightly improved on the 9930. While neither camera is exceptional by today's standards, the 9930 offers a marginal advantage.
Performance
The 9930's 1.2 GHz QC 8655 processor significantly outperforms the 9700's 624 MHz CPU. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The 9930 handles demanding tasks with greater ease.
Battery Life
The 9930 has a larger battery capacity (1500 mAh) compared to the 9700 (1400 mAh). This generally results in longer battery life for the 9930, especially with its more power-efficient processor. Expect a noticeable difference in usage time between the two devices.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 is ideal for users who prefer a touchscreen interface and need a faster processor for multitasking. The Bold 9700 is perfect for those who prioritize a physical keyboard for efficient typing and a more traditional BlackBerry experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Bold 9930 worth buying in 2024?
It depends on your needs. If you want a faster BlackBerry with a touchscreen, it can be a decent option. However, be aware of its age and limited software support.
❓ Which BlackBerry has the better keyboard: 9930 or 9700?
The Bold 9700's physical keyboard is widely considered superior due to its tactile feedback and comfortable key spacing. The 9930 relies on an on-screen keyboard.
