BlackBerry enthusiasts crave that iconic keyboard and secure experience. But choosing between the luxurious Porsche Design P'9983 and the more accessible BlackBerry Classic can be tough. This in-depth comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide which BlackBerry best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The P'9983 offers a stunning design and premium materials, justifying its high price tag. The Classic provides a more practical and affordable option with a familiar BlackBerry experience. For pure luxury, the P'9983 wins; for value and everyday use, the Classic is the better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU, EMEA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 20 - EU, EMEA | 4, 13 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 17 - North America | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, October | 2015, February. Released 2015, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 119 x 67.1 x 10.6 mm (4.69 x 2.64 x 0.42 in) | 131 x 72.4 x 10.2 mm (5.16 x 2.85 x 0.40 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| | - | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~328 ppi density) | 720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~291 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.1 inches, 31.0 cm2 (~38.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 39.5 cm2 (~41.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro | - |
| GPU | Adreno 225 | - |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 10.3, upgradable to 10.3.1 | BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, 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 | MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+/FlAC player
DivX/XviD/MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Photo/video editor
Document viewer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 45 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) | Up to 22 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 430 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.41 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983
- Luxurious Porsche Design aesthetics
- Super AMOLED display
- 7MP Camera
- Slightly better battery life
- Premium build quality
- High price
- Outdated chipset
- Limited app support
- Fragile construction (potential issue)
BlackBerry Classic Non Camera
- Classic BlackBerry keyboard
- More affordable
- Reliable BlackBerry OS experience
- Compact size
- Easier to find replacement parts
- No camera
- LCD display (less vibrant)
- Outdated chipset
- Limited app support
- Basic design
Display Comparison
The P'9983 features a 3.7-inch Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The Classic has a 3.5-inch LCD display, which is functional but lacks the P'9983's visual pop. The P'9983's AMOLED provides a noticeably superior viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The P'9983 boasts a 7MP rear camera, while the Classic, as the name suggests, lacks a camera entirely. This is a significant difference for users who value mobile photography. The P'9983's camera is adequate for basic shots, but not exceptional.
Performance
Both devices share the same Qualcomm MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset and dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. Performance will be similar for everyday tasks, but the P'9983's slightly better thermal management might allow for marginally sustained performance under heavy load. However, both are showing their age compared to modern smartphones.
Battery Life
The P'9983 typically offers around 10-12 hours of moderate use, thanks to its 2100 mAh battery. The Classic, with its smaller 1800 mAh battery, generally provides around 8-10 hours of use. The P'9983 has a slight edge in battery life.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983 is for those who prioritize luxury, exclusivity, and a statement piece. It's ideal for collectors and individuals who appreciate high-end design. The BlackBerry Classic is for BlackBerry loyalists seeking a reliable, functional device with the classic keyboard and BlackBerry OS experience, at a more reasonable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry P'9983 worth the price?
The P'9983's value hinges on your appreciation for luxury design and exclusivity. If you're a BlackBerry enthusiast with a generous budget, it's a worthwhile collector's item. Otherwise, the Classic offers a more practical alternative.
❓ What operating system do these BlackBerrys run?
Both devices run BlackBerry OS 10. While functional, it's important to note that app support is limited compared to Android or iOS.
