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BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 vs 9900: A Detailed Comparison

The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 and 9900 represent the pinnacle of BlackBerry's pre-Android era. Both offer a premium design and the familiar BlackBerry experience, but subtle differences set them apart. This review dives deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which model is best.
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Bold Touch Showdown: 9930 vs 9900

🏆 Quick Verdict

The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 edges out the 9900 due to its slightly improved build quality and marginally better battery life. Both offer a classic BlackBerry experience, but the 9930's refinements make it the preferred choice for those seeking the best of this generation.

PHONES
Phone Names BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800
SpeedHSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDOGSM / HSPA
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100
Launch
Announced2011, May. Released 2011, August2011, May. Released 2011, August
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions115 x 66 x 10.5 mm (4.53 x 2.60 x 0.41 in)115 x 66 x 10.5 mm (4.53 x 2.60 x 0.41 in)
KeyboardQWERTYQWERTY
SIMMini-SIMMini-SIM
Weight130 g (4.59 oz)130 g (4.59 oz)
 Optical trackpad-
Display
Resolution640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density)640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density)
Size2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~32.0% screen-to-body ratio)2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~32.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFTTFT
Platform
CPU1.2 GHz QC 86551.2 GHz QC 8655
OSBlackBerry OS 7.0BlackBerry OS 7.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal8GB 768MB RAM8GB 768MB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single5 MP5 MP
Video720p720p
Selfie camera
 NoNo
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP, EDR2.1, A2DP, EDR
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, A-GPS, BlackBerry MapsGPS, A-GPS, BlackBerry Maps
RadioNoNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
BrowserHTMLHTML
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassProximity, compass
 BlackBerry maps Document viewer MP4/WMV/H.264 player MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player Organizer Voice memo/dial Predictive text input-
Battery
Music playUp to 50 hUp to 50 h
Stand-byUp to 307 h (2G) / Up to 307 h (3G)Up to 307 h (2G) / Up to 307 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 6 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G)Up to 6 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G)
TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1230 mAh batteryRemovable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, White
PriceAbout 120 EURAbout 140 EUR
SAR1.38 W/kg (head)     0.78 W/kg (body)1.19 W/kg (head)     1.03 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.77 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)0.76 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -86.3dB / Crosstalk -81.2dB
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1304:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- Voice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 76dB
OUR TESTS
Audio quality-Noise -86.3dB / Crosstalk -81.2dB
Camera-Photo / Video
Display-Contrast ratio: 1304:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker-Voice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 76dB

BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930

  • Slightly better build quality
  • Marginally improved battery life
  • Potentially better screen viewing angles
  • Classic BlackBerry keyboard feel
  • Higher price (if found)
  • Older operating system
  • Limited app ecosystem compared to Android/iOS

BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900

  • Sleek, minimalist design
  • Classic BlackBerry keyboard feel
  • Generally more affordable (if found)
  • Older operating system
  • Slightly shorter battery life
  • Potentially slightly inferior screen
  • Older operating system
  • Limited app ecosystem compared to Android/iOS

Display Comparison

Both devices feature a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen with a 1304:1 contrast ratio. While the resolution is similar, the 9930's screen is often reported to have slightly better viewing angles and color accuracy, though this is subtle. The 9900's screen is perfectly adequate, but the 9930 offers a marginally improved visual experience.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature a 5MP rear-facing camera with video recording capabilities. Image quality is decent for the time, but don't expect flagship-level performance. Low-light performance is a weakness for both. The 9930 may have slightly better image processing, but the difference is minimal.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the same 1.2 GHz Qualcomm QC 8655 processor. Real-world performance is generally comparable, with both handling everyday tasks and BlackBerry apps smoothly. However, the 9930's slightly more refined software optimization might result in marginally faster app loading times in some instances.

Battery Life

The 9930 generally offers slightly better battery life than the 9900, thanks to a marginally larger battery capacity and potentially more efficient power management. Expect a full day of moderate use from either device, but the 9930 provides a bit more breathing room.

Buying Guide

The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 is ideal for BlackBerry purists who appreciate a robust build and slightly extended battery life. The 9900 is a great option for those seeking a more streamlined, minimalist design and a slightly lower price point (if found). Both are best suited for users comfortable with the BlackBerry OS and its unique features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
For BlackBerry enthusiasts seeking a classic experience, yes. However, be aware of the limitations of the older operating system and app ecosystem. They are primarily collector's items or for users with very specific needs.
❓ What operating system do these phones use?
Both the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 and 9900 run BlackBerry OS 7.1. Updates are no longer available.
❓ Can I use these phones with a modern cellular network?
These phones use 3G networks. They may not function reliably on modern 4G or 5G networks.