BlackBerry's legacy is filled with iconic devices, and the Passport and Porsche Design P'9983 stand out as premium offerings. Both catered to a specific audience seeking a blend of productivity and luxury, but they took different approaches. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Passport wins overall due to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 801 chipset, superior display contrast, and exceptional battery life. While the Porsche Design P'9983 boasts a luxurious design, its older Snapdragon S4 Pro struggles to compete with the Passport's performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU, EMEA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 | 3, 7, 8, 20 - EU, EMEA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 | 2, 4, 5, 17 - North America |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, June. Released 2014, September | 2014, September. Released 2014, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 128 x 90.3 x 9.3 mm (5.04 x 3.56 x 0.37 in) | 119 x 67.1 x 10.6 mm (4.69 x 2.64 x 0.42 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 140 g (4.94 oz) |
| | Capacitive touch 3-row BlackBerry keyboard | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1440 x 1440 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~453 ppi density) | 720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~328 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 65.3 cm2 (~56.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.1 inches, 31.0 cm2 (~38.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400 | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974AA Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 225 |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 10.3, upgradable to 10.3.2 | BlackBerry OS 10.3, upgradable to 10.3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 30mm (standard), AF, OIS | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.8, 28mm (wide) | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort) | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | HDMI port
BlackBerry maps
Organizer
Document viewer
Photo/video editor
MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+/FlAC player
DivX/XviD/MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 84 h | Up to 45 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 432 h (2G) / Up to 444 h (3G) | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h (2G) / Up to 23 h (3G) | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3450 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Red, Black&Gold, Silver | Black |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| 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 | - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -91.5dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB | - |
| Battery (old) | 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 | - |
BlackBerry Passport
- Exceptional battery life (73h)
- Powerful Snapdragon 801 chipset
- Unique and spacious square display
- Excellent contrast ratio
- Productivity-focused design
- Square form factor may not appeal to everyone
- Camera not a standout feature
- Older device, potential software support limitations
BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983
- Premium Porsche Design aesthetics
- More compact size
- Classic BlackBerry keyboard
- Significantly weaker performance
- Shorter battery life
- Smaller display
- Older chipset, limited software support
Display Comparison
The Passport's 4.5-inch square display with a 1256:1 contrast ratio offers a unique and immersive experience, particularly for reading and productivity tasks. The P'9983 has a smaller, more traditional 3.1-inch display, likely with a lower contrast ratio (spec unavailable, assumed lower). Sunlight readability is also notably better on the Passport (2.595) than likely on the P'9983.
Camera Comparison
Both devices featured cameras adequate for their time, but neither were camera powerhouses. The Passport likely had a slightly better camera due to the more modern chipset and processing capabilities. Specific megapixel counts and features are not readily available for both, making a definitive comparison difficult.
Performance
Here, the Passport shines. Its Snapdragon 801 chipset and quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400 CPU provide a substantial performance advantage over the P'9983's dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better overall responsiveness on the Passport.
Battery Life
The Passport's battery life is legendary, boasting an endurance rating of 73 hours. This is a massive advantage over the P'9983, which likely had a smaller battery and less efficient processor, resulting in significantly shorter battery life (estimated 24-36 hours).
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Passport is ideal for power users and productivity enthusiasts who value a large, square display and long battery life. The Porsche Design P'9983 is for those prioritizing a premium, exclusive design and a more compact form factor, willing to compromise on performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Passport still worth buying?
If you prioritize battery life, a unique display for productivity, and don't need the latest features, the Passport can still be a viable option. However, be aware of its age and potential software limitations.
❓ What makes the Porsche Design P'9983 special?
The P'9983's appeal lies in its exclusive Porsche Design aesthetics and compact form factor. It's a luxury device for those who appreciate a premium design and a more traditional smartphone size.
