Released in the early days of modern smartphones, the Motorola DROID 2 Global and BlackBerry Bold 9780 represent diverging philosophies. The DROID 2 aimed to deliver a more powerful Android experience, while the Bold 9780 doubled down on BlackBerry’s strengths: secure communication and physical keyboard usability. This comparison dissects their core differences to help understand their respective appeals.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a more capable smartphone experience, the Motorola DROID 2 Global is the better choice due to its significantly faster 1.2 GHz Cortex-A8 processor. However, users prioritizing secure email and a tactile typing experience will find the BlackBerry Bold 9780 more suitable.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 10.2/5.76 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, November. Released 2010, November | 2010, October. Released 2010, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116.3 x 60.5 x 13.7 mm (4.58 x 2.38 x 0.54 in) | 109 x 60 x 14 mm (4.29 x 2.36 x 0.55 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 122 g (4.30 oz) |
| | - | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 480 x 360 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~246 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~53.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.44 inches, 18.4 cm2 (~28.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT, 65K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.2 GHz Cortex-A8 | 624 MHz |
| Chipset | TI OMAP 3640 | - |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX530 | - |
| OS | Android 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread) | BlackBerry OS 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 256MB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UMA |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | - |
| | MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC+ player
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) | BlackBerry maps
Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)
Media player MP3/WMA/AAC+
Video player DivX/WMV/XviD/3gp
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 230 h | Up to 528 h (2G) / Up to 408 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 20 min | Up to 6 h (2G) / Up to 6 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1420 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Black, White |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 1.58 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) | 1.41 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -89.7dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 68dB
|
Motorola DROID 2 Global
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- More modern Android operating system
- Potentially better camera capabilities
- Likely shorter battery life
- Android OS less focused on security than BlackBerry
- No physical keyboard
BlackBerry Bold 9780
- Excellent physical keyboard for fast typing
- Strong focus on security and data protection
- Potentially longer battery life
- Significantly slower processor
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Android
- Less capable for multimedia and gaming
Display Comparison
Information regarding display specifications is unavailable. However, given the release timeframe, both devices likely utilized LCD panels. The DROID 2, being an Android device, likely had a larger display geared towards media consumption, while the Bold 9780’s display was optimized for text readability and keyboard interaction. Bezels were substantial on both, typical of the era.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 'Photo' camera, but specific details are lacking. Given the market positioning, the DROID 2 likely had a higher resolution sensor and more features, leveraging Android’s growing camera capabilities. BlackBerry cameras were generally functional but focused on simplicity and reliability rather than cutting-edge image quality. The absence of detailed camera specs suggests neither device was a primary focus for photography enthusiasts.
Performance
The Motorola DROID 2 Global’s 1.2 GHz TI OMAP 3640 processor, based on the Cortex-A8 architecture, provides a substantial performance advantage over the BlackBerry Bold 9780’s 624 MHz CPU. The Cortex-A8 is a more advanced architecture, allowing for faster processing speeds and more efficient multitasking. While the Bold 9780’s processor was adequate for BlackBerry’s optimized OS, the DROID 2 could handle more demanding applications and a smoother user interface. The OMAP 3640 also included a PowerVR SGX530 GPU, offering superior graphics performance for the time.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is unavailable for both devices. However, the BlackBerry Bold 9780, with its focus on efficiency and a smaller screen, likely offered comparable or even better battery life than the DROID 2 Global. The DROID 2’s more powerful processor and larger display would have consumed more power, potentially requiring more frequent charging. Charging speeds were slow by modern standards on both devices, relying on micro-USB connections.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola DROID 2 Global if you need a faster processor for running applications and a more modern smartphone experience. It’s ideal for users exploring the Android ecosystem and wanting more processing power. Buy the BlackBerry Bold 9780 if you prioritize secure communication, a physical QWERTY keyboard for efficient typing, and the BlackBerry ecosystem’s focus on productivity and data security.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Motorola DROID 2 Global a good choice for running modern Android apps?
No. The DROID 2 Global runs an older version of Android and has limited processing power. While some basic apps might function, it will struggle with most modern applications due to the 1.2 GHz Cortex-A8 processor and limited RAM.
❓ How secure is the BlackBerry Bold 9780 compared to the Motorola DROID 2 Global?
The BlackBerry Bold 9780 is significantly more secure. BlackBerry’s operating system was renowned for its robust security features, including encrypted communication and strong data protection. The DROID 2 Global, running Android, was more vulnerable to malware and security breaches, especially on older versions of the OS.
❓ Can I easily find replacement batteries for either of these phones?
Finding original batteries can be challenging for both devices. Aftermarket batteries are available, but their quality and reliability can vary. The Bold 9780's battery is generally easier to find than the DROID 2 Global's.
