BlackBerry Leap vs. BlackBerry Q10: A Detailed Comparison

Nostalgia for BlackBerry devices is real, and the Leap and Q10 represent two distinct approaches to the classic BlackBerry experience. Both offer physical keyboards and a focus on security, but which one delivers the better overall package? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The BlackBerry Q10 edges out the Leap thanks to its slightly better battery life and potentially faster LTE connectivity (depending on the variant). While both offer the beloved physical keyboard, the Q10's display and chipset give it a slight advantage for modern usage, despite their age.

PHONES
Phone Names	BlackBerry Leap	BlackBerry Q10

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - North America	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - SQN100-1
4G bands	1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 13, 17 - North America	2, 4, 5, 17 - SQN100-1, SQN100-5
Speed	HSPA, LTE	EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, HSPA, LTE (market dependent)
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
	1, 3, 7, 8, 20 - Global	25 - SQN100-4

Launch
Announced	2015, March. Released 2015, April	2013, January. Released 2013, April
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	-	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	144 x 72.8 x 9.5 mm (5.67 x 2.87 x 0.37 in)	119.6 x 66.8 x 10.4 mm (4.71 x 2.63 x 0.41 in)
Keyboard	-	QWERTY
SIM	Micro-SIM	Micro-SIM
Weight	170 g (6.00 oz)	139 g (4.90 oz)

Display
Resolution	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)	720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~328 ppi density)
Size	5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.7% screen-to-body ratio)	3.1 inches, 31.0 cm2 (~38.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD,	Super AMOLED

Platform
CPU	Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait	Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait (LTE version)/ Cortex-A9 (Non-LTE)
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus	Snapdragon S4 (LTE version)/ TI OMAP 4470 (Non-LTE)
GPU	Adreno 225	Adreno 225 (LTE version)/ PowerVR SGX544 (Non-LTE)
OS	BlackBerry OS 10.3.1	BlackBerry OS 10, upgradable to 10.3.1

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	16GB 2GB RAM	16GB 2GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), AF	8 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), AF
Video	1080p@30fps, 720p@60fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	2 MP	2 MP
Video	720p	720p

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE	4.0, A2DP
NFC	No	Yes
Positioning	GPS	GPS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio (after SW upgrade)
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual band, hotspot

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	-	HDMI port

Battery
Stand-by	-	Up to 360 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 25 h	Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 30 min (3G)
Type	Li-Ion 2800 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Black, White
Price	About 80 EUR	About 110 EUR
SAR	-	1.16 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	1.41 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	-	Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -82.7dB
Battery life	Endurance rating 45h	Endurance rating 56h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.856:1 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	-	Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB

OUR TESTS
Audio quality	-	Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -82.7dB
Battery (old)	Endurance rating 45h	Endurance rating 56h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.856:1 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	-	Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB

BlackBerry Leap

Compact and pocketable
Durable build quality
Physical keyboard for efficient typing
Good security features

Outdated chipset
Mediocre camera
Limited app compatibility
Shorter battery life compared to Q10

BlackBerry Q10

Slightly better battery life
Potentially faster LTE connectivity (LTE version)
Marginally better display contrast
Physical keyboard for efficient typing
Good security features

Outdated chipset
Mediocre camera
Limited app compatibility
Larger than Leap

Display Comparison

Both the Leap and Q10 feature 3.5-inch displays. The Q10 boasts a reported 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), and a 2.856:1 contrast ratio in sunlight, suggesting potentially better outdoor visibility. While both displays are adequate, the Q10's contrast advantage is noticeable. Resolution is similar, but the Q10's display technology might offer slightly better color reproduction.

Camera Comparison

Camera quality on both devices is a weakness by today's standards. Both feature basic photo and video capabilities, but expect limited low-light performance and mediocre image quality. Neither phone is a photography powerhouse.

Performance

The Leap and LTE version of the Q10 share the same Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset with a dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. The non-LTE Q10 uses a TI OMAP 4470 with a Cortex-A9 CPU. Performance will be similar for most tasks, but the LTE Q10 might exhibit slightly better responsiveness due to its more modern chipset. Both will struggle with modern, demanding apps.

Battery Life

The Q10 holds a slight advantage in battery endurance, boasting a rated 56 hours compared to the Leap's 45 hours. In real-world usage, this translates to a few extra hours of uptime on the Q10, which can be significant for users who rely heavily on their devices.

Buying Guide

The BlackBerry Leap is a good choice for users prioritizing a more compact and durable device, and those who don't require LTE. The BlackBerry Q10 is better suited for users who want slightly longer battery life, potentially faster data speeds (LTE version), and a marginally better display experience.