The BlackBerry Bold series was synonymous with business productivity and a premium feel. Two titans of this era, the Bold Touch 9930 and the Bold 9790, offer distinct experiences. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The 9930 boasts a faster processor and touchscreen, offering a more modern experience. However, the 9790 delivers exceptional battery life and a more robust physical keyboard. For speed and a touch interface, choose the 9930; for longevity and tactile typing, the 9790 is the winner.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO | GSM / HSPA |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, May. Released 2011, August | 2011, November. Released 2011, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 115 x 66 x 10.5 mm (4.53 x 2.60 x 0.41 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 | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 107 g (3.77 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 480 x 360 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~32.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.45 inches, 18.6 cm2 (~28.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.2 GHz QC 8655 | Marvel Tavor MG1 1.0 GHz |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 7.0 | BlackBerry OS 7.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 768MB RAM | 8GB 768MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 480p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | Yes | Carrier dependent |
| 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 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | 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 | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 50 h | Up to 33 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 307 h (2G) / Up to 307 h (3G) | Up to 432 h (2G) / Up to 408 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G) | Up to 5 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery (JM-1) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 1.38 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | 1.35 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | 1.56 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.4dB / Crosstalk -32.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 35h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1043:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 63dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -89.4dB / Crosstalk -32.7dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 35h |
| Camera | - | Photo |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1043:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 63dB |
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930
- Faster Processor
- Touchscreen Interface
- Slightly Better Camera
- More Modern BlackBerry Experience
- Shorter Battery Life
- Less Robust Build Quality (compared to older models)
- Can feel dated
BlackBerry Bold 9790
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Physical QWERTY Keyboard
- More Durable Build
- Classic BlackBerry Feel
- Slower Performance
- No Touchscreen
- Outdated Software
- Less Responsive
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 3.2-inch display with a nominal contrast ratio of 1043:1. However, the 9930's touchscreen offers a more interactive experience compared to the 9790's purely visual display. The 9930's screen also generally exhibits slightly better color accuracy and brightness, though both are adequate for their time.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a photo camera, but details are scarce. Generally, the 9930's camera is considered slightly better in terms of image quality, offering marginally improved color reproduction and sharpness. However, neither camera is particularly impressive by today's standards. Expect basic photo capabilities suitable for casual snapshots.
Performance
The 9930's 1.2 GHz QC 8655 processor provides a noticeable performance advantage over the 9790's 1.0 GHz Marvel Tavor MG1. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience on the 9930. The 9790, while functional, can feel sluggish by modern standards.
Battery Life
The 9790 shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 35 hours significantly surpasses the 9930's battery life. The 9790's power efficiency, combined with its smaller screen and less demanding processor, allows it to last considerably longer on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 is ideal for users who prioritize a responsive touchscreen, faster performance for multitasking, and a more contemporary BlackBerry experience. The BlackBerry Bold 9790 is best suited for those who value long battery life, a physical QWERTY keyboard for efficient typing, and a more traditional BlackBerry feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Bold 9930 worth buying in 2023?
It depends. If you're a BlackBerry enthusiast seeking a touchscreen experience and don't mind shorter battery life, it can be a nostalgic choice. However, consider its age and limited app support.
❓ Which BlackBerry has the best keyboard?
The BlackBerry Bold 9790's physical QWERTY keyboard is widely considered superior for tactile typing and overall keyboard feel compared to the 9930's touchscreen keyboard.
