The BlackBerry era evokes nostalgia for physical keyboards and secure communication. Two devices stand out: the ultra-premium BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983 and the more accessible BlackBerry Q10. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves your attention (and potentially, your money).
🏆 Quick Verdict
The P'9983 wins on luxury and design, boasting a stunning Porsche Design aesthetic. However, the Q10 offers a more practical package with potentially better software support and a slightly more versatile chipset. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities: prestige or practicality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU, EMEA | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - SQN100-1 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 20 - EU, EMEA | 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 |
| | 2, 4, 5, 17 - North America | 25 - SQN100-4 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, October | 2013, January. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 119 x 67.1 x 10.6 mm (4.69 x 2.64 x 0.42 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 | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 139 g (4.90 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~328 ppi density) | 720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~328 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.1 inches, 31.0 cm2 (~38.8% 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 MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro | 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, upgradable to 10.3.1 | BlackBerry OS 10, upgradable to 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (after SW upgrade) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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 | HDMI port |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 45 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) | Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White |
| Price | About 430 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 56h
|
| Camera | - |
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 56h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.856:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983
- Luxurious Porsche Design aesthetics
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- Premium build quality
- Physical keyboard
- High price (even used)
- Limited software support
- Older technology
- Potentially fragile due to premium materials
BlackBerry Q10
- More affordable
- Potentially better software support (depending on carrier/region)
- Reliable physical keyboard
- Good battery life
- Less premium design
- Older chipset
- Limited software updates
- Camera quality is basic
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 3.5-inch touchscreen with a respectable 2.856:1 contrast ratio in sunlight. While both claim an 'infinite' nominal contrast ratio, this is a marketing term. The P'9983's display might have slightly better color accuracy due to its premium build and potentially higher-quality panel, but the difference is subtle.
Camera Comparison
Camera capabilities are similar on both devices, featuring standard photo and video functionality for their time. Image quality is adequate for casual snapshots but lacks the detail and features of modern smartphone cameras. Low-light performance is expected to be poor on both.
Performance
The P'9983 has a slightly more powerful Qualcomm MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset with a Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. The Q10's performance varies depending on the LTE version (Snapdragon S4) or the non-LTE version (TI OMAP 4470) with a Cortex-A9 CPU. The P'9983 generally offers a smoother experience for multitasking and demanding apps, though both are showing their age by today's standards.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an impressive endurance rating of 56 hours. Real-world battery life will depend on usage, but both should comfortably last a full day, even with moderate use of the physical keyboard.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983 is for collectors, luxury enthusiasts, and those who prioritize aesthetics above all else. The BlackBerry Q10 is for BlackBerry loyalists who want a reliable, functional smartphone with a physical keyboard and decent battery life, and are willing to accept older hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are spare parts readily available for these devices?
Spare parts are becoming increasingly scarce for both devices, especially for the P'9983. Finding replacements for the screen, keyboard, or battery can be challenging and expensive.
❓ Can I update the software on these BlackBerrys?
Software updates are extremely limited. Both devices are running older versions of BlackBerry OS 10. While some community-driven efforts exist, official updates are unlikely.
