BlackBerry Bold 9930 vs. BlackBerry Torch 9850: RIM Smartphone Smackdown Discussion

[Grant Hatchimonji]

The BlackBerry Bold 9930 and the Torch 9850 are two of RIM's most recent smartphones with BlackBerry OS 7. Can't decide between them? Read through out this head-to-head comparison and see which one is a better fit for you.

Read the full content of this Article: BlackBerry Bold 9930 vs. BlackBerry Torch 9850: RIM Smartphone Smackdown

Related Articles:

• BlackBerry Torch 9850 Review: No Keyboard? No Problem
• BlackBerry Bold 9930 Review: The Best BlackBerry Yet

[LandSurveyor]

Granted I haven't ever put my hands on a Torch, but I would still prefer a hardware keyboard, especially on a Blackberry.

[Varjak]

LS, this 'Torch' is really a VZW-specific model that takes over for the Storm. A better comparo (I think, unless the premise was to compare keyboard to touchscreen) would be the real Torch, which has a touchscreen AND a hardware keyboard. My father has one, and it's pretty good. I think it's the best BB (for now). And he had a Bold before that.

[Drillbit]

I got some hands on with the 9900 and the 9860 (GSM versions of 9930 and 9850), and I have to say I am impressed, especially being a former Blackberry owner. If I am not into Android I would pick one of the two in a minute. Both of them appears to have what it takes to satisfy the Blackberry owner but I won't bet they would be able to persuade those who have already switched to iPhone and Android. They are more like rewards to keeping the faith things, rather than disruptive to the opposition.

Between the two, I would actually lean more to the 9860, although I am quite impressed with the physical finish of the Bold 9900.

[LandSurveyor]

I would agree. I think only ATT has the slider, though.

[Drillbit]

Quite surprising since I don't live in the continental US, I am not exactly familiar with Blackberry exclusivity to which carriers. Often with our carriers here, all the Blackberry models that tend to be exclusive to one carrier in the US, are all shown in the same glass display all in one sitting. The phones are also generic GSM models. I can see the Torch right next to the Bold 9900, the Curve 9300s, the 9780s and 9800s, and now even the 9860, which is the same touchscreen phone as the 9850 Torch, just without the Torch name and is a GSM version.

So the people who are buying a Blackberry here has to decide with these choices, all under the same carrier.

[Ed Hardy]

LS, this 'Torch' is really a VZW-specific model that takes over for the Storm.

Actually, both Sprint and Verizon offer the Torch 9850. Grant covered both in his review of this device.

More recently, AT&T has announced that it's going to relase its own version.

I think only ATT has the slider, though.

True at this point, but T-Mobile is picking up the newest slider version.
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[Drillbit]

If its for typing, the 9900 would win over the 9850. The 9850 would be similar to typing on a Nexus One, a touchscreen with a rather narrow profile. Its best held sideways if you like to type on it. Unless you are a master of one hand portrait typing, which I am fortunately.

On the other hand, the physical keyboard itself is the fail point for all Blackberries. I've seen enough Blackberries with missing keys or keys with missing paint markings. Sweat and other moisture can get through the gaps into the keys and corrode the contacts on the keyboard over a longer period of time. That's how my bro's 9000 bit the dust. Oh and don't spill your coffee or soft drink into it.

[Varjak]

Sorry Ed, my point was that VZW didn't have a 'slider' Torch; but the touch-only Storm. This essentially supersedes that. And I'd have thought a comparison of two different BB's with hardware keyboards might appeal to more people. Most of the BB users (again obviously anecdotal) I know lean toward hardware keyboard models (either Bold or Torch with keyboard and touchscreen). Not touchscreen-only models. That may change as they become more available on other carriers.

[LandSurveyor]

I can't see any advantage a touchscreen keyboard has over the hardware type other than more screen real estate (when the keyboard is gone).

The Torch slider is the have your cake and eat it too solution.