Nostalgia for physical keyboards and BlackBerry's legacy is strong. The Classic and Q5 represent different approaches to that legacy – one prioritizing a pure, classic experience, the other adding a few modern touches. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Q5 edges out the Classic due to its camera, slightly faster processor, and overall more modern feature set. While the Classic offers a purer, no-frills experience, the Q5 provides a better balance of functionality and performance for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - SQR100-1 |
| 4G bands | 4, 13 | 2, 4, 5, 17 - SQR100-1 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 3, 7, 8, 20 - SQR100-2 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, February. Released 2015, March | 2013, May. Released 2013, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 131 x 72.4 x 10.2 mm (5.16 x 2.85 x 0.40 in) | 120 x 66 x 10.8 mm (4.72 x 2.60 x 0.43 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 120 g (4.23 oz) |
| | Optical trackpad | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~291 ppi density) | 720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~328 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 39.5 cm2 (~41.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.1 inches, 31.0 cm2 (~39.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus |
| GPU | - | Adreno 225 |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 | BlackBerry OS 10.2, upgradable to 10.3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 8GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.4, 30mm (standard), AF |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (after SW upgrade) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort) | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+/FlAC player
DivX/XviD/MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Photo/video editor
Document viewer | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 384 h (3G) | Up to 336 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (3G) | Up to 12 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2180 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White, Red, Gray, Pink |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | 1.41 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | 1.33 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.38 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 55h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1293:1 (nominal) / 1.682:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 75dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 76dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 55h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1293:1 (nominal) / 1.682:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 75dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 76dB |
BlackBerry Classic Non Camera
- Pure BlackBerry experience
- Excellent physical keyboard
- Simple and distraction-free
- Durable build quality
- No camera
- Slower performance
- Outdated software
- Limited app support
BlackBerry Q5
- Physical keyboard
- Camera functionality
- Slightly better performance
- More modern software (at release)
- Good battery life
- Outdated hardware
- Limited app support
- Plastic build quality feels less premium
- Screen resolution is low by modern standards
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 3.5-inch display with a respectable 1293:1 contrast ratio (nominal) and 1.682:1 in sunlight. While the resolution is similar, the Q5's slightly better color reproduction and viewing angles give it a marginal advantage. The Classic's display is functional and clear, but lacks the vibrancy of the Q5.
Camera Comparison
The Q5 has a clear advantage here. It features a photo and video camera, while the Classic notably lacks one entirely. The Q5's camera is basic by today's standards, but it's a significant feature absent from the Classic.
Performance
The Q5's Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset, though older, generally performs slightly better than the Classic's Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor. This translates to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking on the Q5. The Classic can feel sluggish at times, especially with multiple apps open.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 55 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under typical usage. However, real-world performance can vary based on usage patterns and network conditions. Both offer solid battery performance for their age.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Classic Non Camera is ideal for die-hard BlackBerry enthusiasts who prioritize the physical keyboard and a minimalist, distraction-free experience. The BlackBerry Q5 is a better choice for users who want a slightly more modern smartphone with a camera and a bit more processing power, while still enjoying the tactile feel of a physical keyboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Classic worth buying in 2024?
It depends. If you're a hardcore BlackBerry enthusiast who values the physical keyboard above all else and doesn't need a camera, it might be. However, be prepared for limited app support and slower performance.
❓ What operating system do these phones use?
Both the BlackBerry Classic and Q5 run BlackBerry 10. However, software updates are no longer provided, so they are vulnerable to security risks and compatibility issues.
