The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 and BlackBerry Q10 represent different eras of BlackBerry's smartphone journey. Both offer a unique BlackBerry experience, but cater to distinct preferences. This review dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Q10 edges out the Bold Touch 9930 thanks to its slightly faster processor, better battery life, and LTE connectivity (depending on the variant). However, the Bold Touch 9930's larger screen and iconic design still hold appeal for some.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - SQN100-1 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 17 - SQN100-1, SQN100-5 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, HSPA, LTE (market dependent) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 25 - SQN100-4 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, May. Released 2011, August | 2013, January. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 115 x 66 x 10.5 mm (4.53 x 2.60 x 0.41 in) | 119.6 x 66.8 x 10.4 mm (4.71 x 2.63 x 0.41 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 139 g (4.90 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~328 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~32.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.1 inches, 31.0 cm2 (~38.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.2 GHz QC 8655 | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait (LTE version)/ Cortex-A9 (Non-LTE) |
| Chipset | - | Snapdragon S4 (LTE version)/ TI OMAP 4470 (Non-LTE) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 225 (LTE version)/ PowerVR SGX544 (Non-LTE) |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 7.0 | BlackBerry OS 10, upgradable to 10.3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 768MB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, BlackBerry Maps | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio (after SW upgrade) |
| 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | BlackBerry maps
Document viewer
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | HDMI port |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 50 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 307 h (2G) / Up to 307 h (3G) | Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 6 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G) | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 1.38 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | 1.41 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -82.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 56h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.856:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -82.7dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 56h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.856:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930
- Larger touchscreen
- Iconic BlackBerry design
- Solid build quality
- Good for basic tasks
- Shorter battery life
- Slower performance
- No LTE connectivity
- Outdated software
BlackBerry Q10
- Longer battery life
- Faster performance (LTE version)
- Physical keyboard
- Potential LTE connectivity (LTE version)
- More modern software (at release)
- Smaller screen
- Less immersive display
- Physical keyboard can be divisive
- Can be difficult to find parts/support
Display Comparison
The Bold Touch 9930 boasts a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen, offering a larger canvas for browsing and media consumption. The Q10 features a 3.1-inch display with a similar contrast ratio (Infinite nominal, 2.856:1 sunlight). While both are adequate, the Bold Touch 9930's larger size provides a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature standard cameras for their time. Image quality is comparable, with decent performance in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is generally weak on both. Video recording capabilities are also similar, offering standard definition video.
Performance
The Q10, particularly the LTE version with the Snapdragon S4, generally offers better performance than the Bold Touch 9930's QC 8655. The Q10's dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor provides a noticeable speed boost for multitasking and app loading. The Bold Touch 9930's 1.2 GHz processor is sufficient for basic tasks but can feel sluggish under heavier loads.
Battery Life
The Q10 holds a clear advantage in battery life, with an endurance rating of 56 hours. The Bold Touch 9930's battery life is considerably shorter, typically lasting a day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 is ideal for users who prioritize a larger touchscreen and a more traditional BlackBerry aesthetic. The BlackBerry Q10 is better suited for those needing longer battery life, faster performance, and potential LTE connectivity, alongside a physical keyboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Q10 worth buying in 2023?
It depends on your needs. If you value a physical keyboard, long battery life, and a classic BlackBerry experience, it can be a worthwhile purchase. However, be aware of limited support and potential software limitations.
❓ Which BlackBerry has the better keyboard?
The BlackBerry Q10's physical keyboard is generally considered superior due to its improved key travel and overall typing experience compared to the Bold Touch 9930's touchscreen keyboard.
