1. Faruhs's Avatar
    Hello, I am about to buy a phone with a 2 year contract, and I cannot decide between Blackberry Bold 9900 and Blackberry Torch 9810.

    Which one is better and why?
    Which one is technically better?
    Which has a better keyboard?

    Is there 4G for both of the phones?
    And what does 4G mean?

    Thank you!
    04-12-12 03:34 PM
  2. JR A's Avatar
    What do you mean by technically better? Better specs?

    9900 has better specs, but both the 9810 and 9900 "feel" the same; the difference in cpu speed is marginal. You won't notice a difference in speed/performance. Mainly due to both having OS7.

    9810 has a better camera, auto focus, that is a big difference in "technical specs", other than the obvious bigger screen.


    Better keyboard? Hands down, 9900. Even most if not all 9810 owners will agree.

    Only 4G for all BlackBerry is if your carrier has HSPA+ (faux-G), which isn't really "real" 4G.

    4G (4th Generation) refers to a level of technology that can provide a certain data transfer rate. No carrier right now was able to produce real 4G data speeds, but it is now commonly accepted that LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology is the status quo for 4G speeds, which is anywhere from 5Mbps-20+Mpbs (in the real world instances I have witnessed).






    It comes down to this:

    Do you want a bigger screen or not?
    Do you want a candybar formfactor or a slider?
    Do you want the BEST keyboard experience?


    That's really what it comes down to.
    Last edited by jranciano; 04-12-12 at 03:54 PM.
    04-12-12 03:41 PM
  3. Faruhs's Avatar
    What do you mean by technically better? Better specs?

    9900 has better specs, but both the 9810 and 9900 "feel" the same; the difference in cpu speed is marginal. You won't notice a difference in speed/performance. Mainly due to both having OS7.


    Better keyboard? Hands down, 9900. Even most if not all 9810 owners will agree.

    Only 4G for all BlackBerry is if your carrier has HSPA+ (faux-G), which isn't really "real" 4G.

    4G (4th Generation) refers to a level of technology that can provide a certain data transfer rate. No carrier right now was able to produce real 4G data speeds, but it is now commonly accepted that LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology is the status quo for 4G speeds, which is anywhere from 5Mbps-20+Mpbs (in the real world instances I have witnessed).






    It comes down to this:

    Do you want a bigger screen or not?
    Do you want a candybar formfactor or a slider?
    Do you want the BEST keyboard experience?


    That's really what it comes down to.
    I guess I kind of want a bigger screen and a full qwerty keyboard, that's why I am torn between Torch, but 9900 seems to have better specs, and is the touch screen on 9900 good or bad?

    So what would be your choice?
    04-12-12 03:46 PM
  4. mcg3745's Avatar
    Jranciono, what are these "better specs" that you speak of?
    04-12-12 03:50 PM
  5. papped's Avatar
    If you want the better keyboard get the 9900 no question.

    9810 screen is nicer to use, keyboard isn't quite as good, camera is better. Finding cases for the 9810 sucks though...
    04-12-12 03:52 PM
  6. JR A's Avatar
    Jranciono, what are these "better specs" that you speak of?

    Sorry, fixed my post.

    The 9810 has better specs, due to the auto focus camera.

    I was looking at cpu/ram specs thinking we were talking about the 9800.

    Sorry.
    04-12-12 03:55 PM
  7. _StephenBB81's Avatar
    The BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the BlackBerry Torch 9810 share the same processor, same RAM same GPU, they key internal components between the devices

    The 9900 has a Screen resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, 2.8 inches (~286 ppi pixel density)
    The 9810 has a Screen resolution of 480 x 640 pixels, 3.2 inches (~250 ppi pixel density)

    The 9900 has a far superior keyboard to the 9810, the 9810 has a physically bigger screen

    the 9900 weights 130g @ 10.1mm thick while the 9810 weighs 161g @ 14.6mm thick


    To pick between the devices you need figure out what you do more on the device, if you are doing more typing the 9900 is better
    more viewing of webpages and movies the 9810 is better
    04-12-12 03:57 PM
  8. mcg3745's Avatar
    Alrite. Fair enough. I love my 9810 because it is versatile and the best mix of screen and keyboard for me. My wife loves her 9900 because of the form factor and keyboard.
    04-12-12 04:01 PM
  9. Ben1232's Avatar
    The 9900 has NFC whilst the 9810 doesn't.

    The touch screen is very useful on my 9900. I came from the Torch 9800 and quickly got use to the Bolds smaller screen.

    It would be handy if your carrier offered free trials / cooling off periods for you to try both and see first hand your preference.
    04-12-12 04:03 PM
  10. Faruhs's Avatar
    Hmm, chosing between typing and video/photos is difficult I'm a huge internet person when it comes to my Blackberry.

    I really don't understand what is so sucky about the 9810 keyboard? :S
    04-12-12 04:03 PM
  11. Ben1232's Avatar
    Hmm, chosing between typing and video/photos is difficult I'm a huge internet person when it comes to my Blackberry.

    I really don't understand what is so sucky about the 9810 keyboard? :S
    The 9810 keybord isn't 'sucky'. Try a 9900's keyboard and you'll see what we mean
    04-12-12 04:06 PM
  12. papped's Avatar
    Yep, less typing errors because the keys are larger, the 9810 keys have to be pressed quite a bit harder, the 9810 keys are too loud.

    Typing is much better on a 9900. The 9810 keyboard is still pretty decent though, better than most other qwertys available.
    04-12-12 04:13 PM
  13. Faruhs's Avatar
    So I guess I'm just left with the keyboard choice. I'll have to put them in my hands, both, and try, I guess. Thanks, guys If u have anything more to say about these phones, please do!
    04-12-12 04:43 PM
  14. papped's Avatar
    9810 is a bit heavier and thicker, too be expected since it's a slider.
    04-12-12 04:45 PM
  15. anthogag's Avatar
    I'm using the 9810. I really like it a lot

    The camera on the 9810 is better because it has auto focus. If you need to make clear close-up shots (Ex. text, magazine articles, business cards) you have to get the 9810.

    Typing on the 9810 requires a bit more concentration compared to the 9900 keyboard. Typing is more enjoyable on the 9900

    Web browsing on the 9810 is better because the screen is longer, the way web pages are laid-out

    They are both 3G+ (or H+) on the 4G network. It's fast but not like 4G LTE. Make sure the carrier sells these as '4G' products.
    Last edited by anthogag; 04-12-12 at 05:09 PM.
    04-12-12 05:00 PM
  16. BoldPreza's Avatar
    Depends on what you want but for typing outright the 9900. For a slim phone, 9900. For future NFC capabilities, 9900.

    For a bigger screen, 9810. Better camera, option of a very good keyboard to use or decent touchscreen keyboard as well, just as quick but overall a more versatile piece IMO.

    Have you looked at the 9860 though? I love mine and would hands down choose it over the others.
    04-12-12 05:32 PM
  17. JAGWIRE's Avatar
    flip a coin LOL. its the best way to decide something because as soon as you see the result you will feel that twinge of sadness if its the wrong side then you know that's not what you really want and then you pick the other
    04-12-12 05:42 PM
  18. schlemer's Avatar
    Bought the 9930 on launch as well as the 9810. Could decide, love them both. So I kept then. Bold keyboard is better and the as well as its camera's color. Except when needing a good close up. Torch feels great in hand good camera, great touch screen. Both handle calls well. Should get the 9860 to round out collection ; )
    04-12-12 06:08 PM
  19. mtint's Avatar
    Both phones at home. Lat Sep got 9900 for myself, and about a month ago 9810 for the better half. At the time (last Sep) for me the "only option" was 9900 and 9810 not into consideration, but ...

    After having some experience with both phones, if getting phone for myself now, not sure I will go with the 9900. For sure, the better qwerty on the Bold is big advantage, but in overall 9810 sounds better choice to me currently.

    The phones having similar specs, I dont care at all at the moment about NFC, better camera is a plus on 9810. Most importantly, for work-done-on-the-phone 9810's bigger screen is a huge advantage. Viewing docs, incl pdf, is not best experience on 9900 - but on 9810 is awesome.

    Best way is to play with the devices and decide for yourself.
    In case typing on the phone is major for you - well, then the Bold is clear winner. But in case typing experience is not that critical - than in overall 9810 comes first.
    04-12-12 07:11 PM
  20. siddo_d's Avatar
    I would chose the 9810, I love my 9800 and waiting for BB10 \=D/

    Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Crackberry forums application
    04-12-12 07:25 PM
  21. djorourke's Avatar
    I came to my Bold 9900 via the first gen Torch.

    The truth is that there is no "wrong" answer. One of the joys of using a Blackberry is the top-notch keyboard. With the Bold 9900 I have the very best phone keyboard...ever! For me, it was the right decision. Though when I see my wife's Torch with its nice big screen I do get a little misty eyed.


    Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk
    04-12-12 07:36 PM
  22. madman0141's Avatar
    I don't know if you have had a chance to play with either but the flat side design of the 9930 will let us see hands down the 9930 is the top of the line BlackBerry.
    04-12-12 07:58 PM
  23. llllBULLSEYE's Avatar
    Yeah you should be happy with Both.
    I choose the 9810 cause I do a lot of close up pics and autofocus is a must.
    The bigger screen helps a lot.
    I love the Bold keyboard plus its a beautiful phone.
    The only thing is the lack of auto focus and add to that a smaller screen
    makes it a downgrade to me.
    here's a pic I took 2 days ago where auto focus has a huge advantage.
    04-12-12 08:27 PM
  24. Faruhs's Avatar
    I have another question, how is the sound quality on both phones?
    Speaker and earphones?
    04-13-12 08:06 AM
  25. PineappleUnderTheSea's Avatar
    I have the 9800, and I'm not a fan of the keyboard: it's cramped, it seems to be recessed in to the plastic more than the 9900, and I make more mistakes on it than I did with my 9700.

    The touchscreen keyboard on the 9800 is not as good as my wife's iPhone, for some reason it doesn't seem as responsive, I don't know how to describe it correctly, but let's just say typing on her iPhone feels more natural.

    As well, since the 9800 is a slider, I find that it gets top heavy after typing for a while, it annoys me since the 9700 was so light that it actually floated in mid-air.

    So you can see that I'm not a fan of the form-factor of the 9800, which will be similar to the 9810. I would go for the 9900 if I had to do it again. If you're worried about screen size, I find that the 9800 doesn't offer that much more real estate than the 9900, the screen would need to be much larger to wow me.
    04-13-12 08:26 AM
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