The Vertu Constellation Quest represented the pinnacle of luxury mobile devices, handcrafted with premium materials. Simultaneously, the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 aimed to deliver a powerful BlackBerry experience with a touchscreen. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which device reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 offers significantly better performance and features for its price. The Vertu Quest's appeal lies solely in its luxurious materials and bespoke service, making it a niche choice for those prioritizing status over raw functionality. The Bold wins on value and usability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| Speed | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, October. Released 2010, December | 2011, May. Released 2011, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116.2 x 60.8 x 12.7 mm, 87 cc (4.57 x 2.39 x 0.5 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 | 165-185 g (6.53 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~325 ppi density) | 640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.46 inches, 18.7 cm2 (~26.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~32.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 16M colors | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 1.2 GHz QC 8655 |
| OS | Symbian OS | BlackBerry OS 7.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 32 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB | 8GB 768MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, BlackBerry Maps |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, compass | Proximity, compass |
| | Facebook, Twitter apps
MP4/H.263 player
MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player
QuickOffice editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
PDF viewer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Organizer
Vertu Concierge service
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 430 h (3G) | Up to 307 h (2G) / Up to 307 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 6 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Pink, Black, Brown, Yellow Gold, Carbon fibre with gold, Carbon fibre | Black, White |
| Price | About 6140 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
|
Vertu Constellation Quest
- Handcrafted luxury materials
- Bespoke concierge service
- Unique design and exclusivity
- Premium feel
- Lack of detailed specs
- Likely limited functionality
- Extremely high price
- Outdated technology
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900
- Good performance with 1.2 GHz processor
- Touchscreen interface
- BlackBerry productivity features
- More affordable
- Average camera quality
- Battery life could be better
- Outdated operating system
- Physical keyboard absent
Display Comparison
The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 boasts a respectable 1304:1 contrast ratio, offering decent image quality. The Vertu Quest, while lacking specific specs, likely featured a smaller display with a focus on clarity and aesthetics, prioritizing a premium feel over resolution. The Bold's larger screen provides a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo/video capabilities, but detailed specifications are unavailable for the Vertu Quest. The Bold's camera was adequate for its time, but not exceptional. The Vertu likely focused on simplicity and ease of use rather than advanced camera features.
Performance
The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900's 1.2 GHz QC 8655 processor provides a noticeable performance advantage over the likely less powerful processor in the Vertu Quest. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the Bold. The Quest prioritized craftsmanship over raw processing power.
Battery Life
Battery life was a common concern for both devices. The Bold Touch 9900's battery performance was average for its era. The Vertu Quest's battery life was likely comparable, though heavily dependent on usage patterns and the size of the battery (information unavailable).
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Vertu Constellation Quest? Individuals seeking a status symbol, appreciating handcrafted luxury, and willing to pay a premium for bespoke concierge services. Who should buy the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900? Users needing a reliable BlackBerry experience with a touchscreen, prioritizing productivity features, and seeking a more affordable option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What made the Vertu Quest so expensive?
The Vertu Quest's high price stemmed from its handcrafted construction using premium materials like titanium and leather, along with the inclusion of a bespoke concierge service.
❓ Is the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 still worth using today?
While outdated, the Bold Touch 9900 can still be used for basic tasks, especially if you value the BlackBerry experience. However, modern smartphones offer significantly better performance and features.
