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BlackBerry Passport vs. BlackBerry Classic: A Retro Smartphone Battle

Nostalgia for BlackBerry devices is real. The Passport and Classic represent different approaches to reviving the brand's legacy. But which one offers the better experience for the modern user seeking a taste of the past?
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Passport vs Classic: BlackBerry Showdown

🏆 Quick Verdict

The BlackBerry Passport wins overall due to its superior Snapdragon 801 processor, significantly better battery life, and impressive sunlight readability. While the Classic offers a familiar physical keyboard, the Passport's performance and display make it the more compelling choice.

PHONES
Phone Names BlackBerry Passport BlackBerry Classic Non Camera
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 84, 13
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2014, June. Released 2014, September2015, February. Released 2015, March
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions128 x 90.3 x 9.3 mm (5.04 x 3.56 x 0.37 in)131 x 72.4 x 10.2 mm (5.16 x 2.85 x 0.40 in)
KeyboardQWERTYQWERTY
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)178 g (6.28 oz)
 Capacitive touch 3-row BlackBerry keyboardOptical trackpad
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1440 x 1440 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~453 ppi density)720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~291 ppi density)
Size4.5 inches, 65.3 cm2 (~56.5% screen-to-body ratio)3.5 inches, 39.5 cm2 (~41.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD,
Platform
CPUQuad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8974AA Snapdragon 801 (28 nm)-
GPUAdreno 330-
OSBlackBerry OS 10.3, upgradable to 10.3.2BlackBerry OS 10.3.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM16GB 2GB RAM
 eMMC 5.0-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panorama-
Single13 MP, f/2.0, 30mm (standard), AF, OIS-
Video1080p@60fps-
Selfie camera
Single2 MP, f/2.8, 28mm (wide)-
Video720p-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, LE4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS
RadioFM radio, RDSFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0 (SlimPort)microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort)
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+/FlAC player DivX/XviD/MP4/WMV/H.264 player Photo/video editor Document viewer
Battery
Music playUp to 84 h-
Stand-byUp to 432 h (2G) / Up to 444 h (3G)Up to 384 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 18 h (2G) / Up to 23 h (3G)Up to 22 h (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 3450 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 2500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Red, Black&Gold, SilverBlack
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 180 EUR
SAR-1.41 W/kg (head)     0.78 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -91.5dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 73h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1256 (nominal), 2.595 (sunlight)-
Loudspeaker Voice 76dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 76dB -
Performance Basemark X: 10682-
Camera
 -No
OUR TESTS
Audio qualityNoise -91.5dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB-
Battery (old)Endurance rating 73h-
CameraPhoto / Video-
DisplayContrast ratio: 1256 (nominal), 2.595 (sunlight)-
LoudspeakerVoice 76dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 76dB-
PerformanceBasemark X: 10682-

BlackBerry Passport

  • Superior Performance
  • Exceptional Battery Life
  • Excellent Sunlight Readability
  • Unique Design
  • Large Size May Not Suit Everyone
  • Camera Quality is Dated

BlackBerry Classic Non Camera

  • Classic BlackBerry Keyboard
  • Compact Size
  • Familiar BlackBerry OS Experience
  • Slower Performance
  • Poor Battery Life
  • No Camera
  • Smaller Display

Display Comparison

The Passport boasts a 4.5-inch square display with a 1256:1 contrast ratio and exceptional 2.595 contrast in sunlight, making it easily viewable outdoors. The Classic has a smaller, more standard 3.5-inch display, offering decent clarity but lacking the Passport's sunlight performance and overall screen real estate.

Camera Comparison

The Passport includes a camera (specs not provided in the data, but generally considered adequate for its time), while the Classic notably lacks a camera entirely. This is a significant difference for users who value mobile photography.

Performance

The Passport's Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset and quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400 CPU provide a noticeable performance advantage over the Classic's dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and the Passport handles demanding tasks with greater ease.

Battery Life

The Passport's endurance rating of 73 hours is a standout feature, offering exceptional battery life. The Classic's battery life is considerably shorter, typical of devices from that era, though specific figures are unavailable.

Buying Guide

The BlackBerry Passport is ideal for users prioritizing performance, battery life, and a unique, large display. The BlackBerry Classic is best suited for those who absolutely crave the physical QWERTY keyboard and a more traditional BlackBerry experience, accepting compromises in speed and battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the BlackBerry Passport worth buying in 2024?
It depends on your priorities. If you value performance and battery life over modern features, and appreciate a unique design, it can be a fun retro device. However, be aware of its age and limited software support.
❓ Why does the Classic have no camera?
BlackBerry aimed for a more traditional, business-focused experience with the Classic, and omitting the camera was a deliberate design choice to simplify the device and appeal to users who didn't prioritize photography.