The HP Pre 3 and BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 represent distinct eras in smartphone history. The Pre 3, powered by webOS, aimed for a fluid, card-based multitasking experience, while the Bold Touch 9900 doubled down on BlackBerry’s enterprise heritage with a physical keyboard and the BlackBerry 10 OS. This comparison revisits these devices, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses in a modern context.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a glimpse into smartphone history, the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 offers a more functional experience due to its robust keyboard and established enterprise features. While the HP Pre 3’s webOS was innovative, its limited app ecosystem and aging hardware make it less practical for daily use in 2024.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, August | 2011, May. Released 2011, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 111 x 64 x 16 mm (4.37 x 2.52 x 0.63 in) | 115 x 66 x 10.5 mm (4.53 x 2.60 x 0.41 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 156 g (5.50 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~261 ppi density) | 640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.58 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~51.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~32.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.4 GHz Scorpion | 1.2 GHz QC 8655 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | - |
| OS | HP webOS 2.2 | BlackBerry OS 7.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 8GB 768MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| 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 |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, BlackBerry Maps |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Proximity, compass |
| | MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 300 h | Up to 307 h (2G) / Up to 307 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h | Up to 6 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 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
|
HP Pre 3
- More powerful processor (Snapdragon S2)
- Innovative webOS interface
- Potential for custom ROM development
- Limited app ecosystem
- Unknown display quality
- Battery life potentially shorter than Bold Touch
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900
- Physical keyboard for efficient typing
- Secure BlackBerry 10 OS
- Compact and pocketable design
- Less powerful processor (QC 8655)
- Limited app availability compared to Android/iOS
- Aging operating system
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 1304:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Pre 3’s display size is unknown, while the Bold Touch 9900’s 3.8-inch screen is relatively compact. The Bold Touch’s display benefits from its high contrast, making text clear, especially important for a keyboard-focused device. The Pre 3’s display technology is unknown, but given its release date, it likely lacks the advancements in color accuracy and viewing angles found in later smartphone displays. The Bold Touch’s smaller size may appeal to users who prefer a more pocketable device.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer basic photo and video capabilities, but details are scarce. The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 likely prioritizes quick capture and adequate image quality for documentation, while the HP Pre 3’s camera performance is largely unknown. Given the era, neither device is expected to excel in low-light conditions or offer advanced features like optical image stabilization. The focus here isn’t on photographic prowess, but rather on functional image capture for basic needs.
Performance
The HP Pre 3’s Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 with a 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU represents a significant step up from the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900’s 1.2 GHz QC 8655. The Snapdragon S2, while dated, benefits from a more modern architecture, offering better multi-core performance. This translates to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking on the Pre 3. However, the Bold Touch 9900’s optimized BlackBerry 10 OS was designed for efficiency, potentially mitigating the CPU difference in everyday tasks. The Pre 3’s GPU, integrated within the Snapdragon S2, would also offer superior graphics performance, though both devices are limited in their gaming capabilities by today’s standards. The Pre 3’s architecture is more likely to benefit from custom ROM development, potentially extending its lifespan.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for both devices is unspecified. However, the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900, with its focus on productivity and physical keyboard, likely prioritizes battery life for all-day use. The HP Pre 3, with its more demanding webOS and potentially larger display, may require more frequent charging. Charging speeds are also unknown, but both devices likely utilize older charging standards, resulting in slower charging times compared to modern smartphones.
Buying Guide
Buy the HP Pre 3 if you are a collector of mobile operating systems, fascinated by webOS’s unique interface, and willing to accept limitations in app availability and performance. Buy the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 if you prioritize a physical keyboard for efficient typing, require secure communication features, and appreciate a device built for productivity and enterprise use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I still use the HP Pre 3 with modern apps?
The HP Pre 3’s webOS app ecosystem is severely limited and largely unsupported. While some community efforts exist to port apps, compatibility is inconsistent. Expect to rely on web apps and older software.
❓ Is the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 secure for sensitive communications?
The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 was renowned for its security features, including hardware encryption and a secure network infrastructure. However, BlackBerry’s server infrastructure is no longer fully supported, potentially impacting the long-term security of the device.
❓ How does the keyboard on the Bold Touch 9900 compare to modern smartphone keyboards?
The Bold Touch 9900’s physical keyboard offers a tactile typing experience that many users still prefer over on-screen keyboards. It’s significantly more accurate and faster for extended typing sessions, a key advantage for productivity.
