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BlackBerry Q5 vs. Bold Touch 9900: A Classic Clash

The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 and the BlackBerry Q5 represent different eras of BlackBerry's smartphone journey. The Bold 9900 was a premium flagship, while the Q5 aimed for a more accessible price point. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which device holds up best today.
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Q5 vs Bold 9900: BlackBerry Showdown

🏆 Quick Verdict

The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 generally edges out the Q5 due to its slightly more powerful processor and premium build quality. However, the Q5 offers a more modern design and potentially better availability. Ultimately, the Bold 9900 provides a more refined BlackBerry experience.

PHONES
Phone Names BlackBerry Q5 BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versionsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - SQR100-1HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800
4G bands2, 4, 5, 17 - SQR100-1-
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 MbpsHSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA
 3, 7, 8, 20 - SQR100-2HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100
Launch
Announced2013, May. Released 2013, June2011, May. Released 2011, August
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions120 x 66 x 10.8 mm (4.72 x 2.60 x 0.43 in)115 x 66 x 10.5 mm (4.53 x 2.60 x 0.41 in)
KeyboardQWERTYQWERTY
SIMMicro-SIMMini-SIM
Weight120 g (4.23 oz)130 g (4.59 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~328 ppi density)640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density)
Size3.1 inches, 31.0 cm2 (~39.1% screen-to-body ratio)2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~32.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDTFT
Platform
CPUDual-core 1.2 GHz Krait1.2 GHz QC 8655
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus-
GPUAdreno 225-
OSBlackBerry OS 10.2, upgradable to 10.3.1BlackBerry OS 7.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal8GB 2GB RAM8GB 768MB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash
Single5 MP, f/2.4, 30mm (standard), AF5 MP
Video1080p@30fps720p
Selfie camera
Single2 MP-
Video720p-
 -No
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, LE2.1, A2DP, EDR
NFCYes (market dependent)Yes
PositioningGPSGPS, A-GPS, BlackBerry Maps
RadioFM radio (after SW upgrade)No
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
Browser-HTML
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassProximity, compass
Battery
Music play-Up to 50 h
Stand-byUp to 336 h (3G)Up to 307 h (2G) / Up to 307 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 12 h 30 min (3G)Up to 6 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 2180 mAh, non-removableRemovable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Red, Gray, PinkBlack, White
PriceAbout 70 EURAbout 140 EUR
SAR1.33 W/kg (head)     0.85 W/kg (body)1.19 W/kg (head)     1.03 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.38 W/kg (head)     0.85 W/kg (body)0.76 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB Noise -86.3dB / Crosstalk -81.2dB
Battery life Endurance rating 55h -
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1293:1 (nominal) / 1.682:1 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: 1304:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 75dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 76dB Voice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 76dB
OUR TESTS
Audio qualityNoise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -90.7dBNoise -86.3dB / Crosstalk -81.2dB
Battery (old)Endurance rating 55h-
CameraPhoto / VideoPhoto / Video
DisplayContrast ratio: 1293:1 (nominal) / 1.682:1 (sunlight)Contrast ratio: 1304:1 (nominal)
LoudspeakerVoice 75dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 76dBVoice 71dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 76dB

BlackBerry Q5

  • More modern design
  • Potentially better availability
  • Excellent battery life (55h)
  • More affordable
  • Slightly less powerful processor
  • Camera quality slightly behind Bold 9900
  • Plastic build feels less premium

BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900

  • Premium build quality (stainless steel)
  • Slightly more powerful processor
  • Generally better camera quality
  • Classic BlackBerry experience
  • Harder to find in good condition
  • Shorter battery life than Q5
  • Older design

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with impressive contrast ratios (1293:1 for Q5 nominal, 1682:1 for Q5 sunlight, 1304:1 for Bold 9900 nominal). While the numbers are close, the Bold 9900's display is often cited as having slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Q5's display is perfectly adequate, but the Bold 9900 offers a marginally superior visual experience.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications are similar on both devices, featuring Photo/Video capabilities. However, image quality is often considered slightly better on the Bold 9900, with more detail and better color reproduction. Low-light performance is a weakness on both, as expected for devices of this era.

Performance

The Bold Touch 9900 boasts a 1.2 GHz QC 8655 processor, which generally provides a snappier experience compared to the Q5's 1.2 GHz Krait Snapdragon S4 Plus. While both are dual-core, the QC 8655 is considered a more efficient and powerful chip. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Bold 9900.

Battery Life

The BlackBerry Q5 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 55 hours. The Bold Touch 9900's battery life is generally considered to be slightly shorter, though still respectable for its age. Real-world usage will vary depending on usage patterns.

Buying Guide

The BlackBerry Q5 is a good choice for those seeking a more affordable BlackBerry with a modern aesthetic and decent battery life. The Bold Touch 9900 is ideal for BlackBerry purists who prioritize performance and a premium feel, and are willing to hunt for a well-maintained device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are replacement parts readily available for these devices?
Finding replacement parts, especially for the Bold Touch 9900, can be challenging. The Q5 is slightly easier to source parts for, but both are aging devices.
❓ Which device is better for BBM?
Both devices support BBM, but the Bold Touch 9900's more responsive processor might offer a slightly smoother BBM experience.