The BlackBerry Q10 and Passport represent a unique era in smartphone design, prioritizing physical keyboards and BlackBerry's signature security. But which of these devices holds up best today? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Passport emerges as the clear winner. Its superior Snapdragon 801 processor, larger display, and significantly better battery life outweigh the Q10's compact form factor. While the Q10 is a solid device, the Passport offers a more modern and powerful experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - SQN100-1 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 17 - SQN100-1, SQN100-5 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 |
| Speed | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, HSPA, LTE (market dependent) | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 25 - SQN100-4 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, January. Released 2013, April | 2014, June. Released 2014, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 119.6 x 66.8 x 10.4 mm (4.71 x 2.63 x 0.41 in) | 128 x 90.3 x 9.3 mm (5.04 x 3.56 x 0.37 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 139 g (4.90 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| | - | Capacitive touch 3-row BlackBerry keyboard |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~328 ppi density) | 1440 x 1440 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~453 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.1 inches, 31.0 cm2 (~38.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 65.3 cm2 (~56.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait (LTE version)/ Cortex-A9 (Non-LTE) | Quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon S4 (LTE version)/ TI OMAP 4470 (Non-LTE) | Qualcomm MSM8974AA Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 225 (LTE version)/ PowerVR SGX544 (Non-LTE) | Adreno 330 |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 10, upgradable to 10.3.1 | BlackBerry OS 10.3, upgradable to 10.3.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, 30mm (standard), AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP, f/2.8, 28mm (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio (after SW upgrade) | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | HDMI port | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 84 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 432 h (2G) / Up to 444 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 18 h (2G) / Up to 23 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3450 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Red, Black&Gold, Silver |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 170 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 |
Noise -91.5dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 56h
|
Endurance rating 73h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.856:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1256 (nominal), 2.595 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 76dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 76dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark X: 10682 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -82.7dB | Noise -91.5dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 56h | Endurance rating 73h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.856:1 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1256 (nominal), 2.595 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB | Voice 76dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 76dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark X: 10682 |
BlackBerry Q10
- Compact and pocketable
- Physical keyboard for tactile typing
- BlackBerry security features
- Good build quality
- Outdated processor
- Small display
- Lower battery life
- Limited app support compared to modern devices
BlackBerry Passport
- Larger display for productivity
- Powerful Snapdragon 801 processor
- Excellent battery life
- Physical keyboard
- BlackBerry security features
- Larger size may not suit everyone
- Design can be polarizing
- Limited app support compared to modern devices
Display Comparison
The Passport boasts a significantly larger 4.7-inch square display compared to the Q10's 3.1-inch screen. While the Q10's contrast ratio is nominally 'infinite' (likely a marketing term), the Passport's 1256:1 nominal and 2.595:1 sunlight contrast ratios offer a more realistic and vibrant viewing experience. The Passport's larger size also allows for more content on screen.
Camera Comparison
While both devices offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Passport's hardware is generally considered superior. The Passport's camera typically produced better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, although both were not flagship-level cameras by today's standards. Specific megapixel counts are not readily available in the provided data.
Performance
The Passport's Snapdragon 801 chipset and quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400 CPU provide a substantial performance boost over the Q10's Snapdragon S4 (LTE) or TI OMAP 4470 and dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive overall experience on the Passport.
Battery Life
The Passport's endurance rating of 73 hours significantly surpasses the Q10's 56 hours. This difference translates to noticeably longer battery life for the Passport, making it a more practical choice for users who rely on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Q10 is ideal for users who prioritize a smaller, more pocketable device with a physical keyboard and appreciate BlackBerry's legacy. The BlackBerry Passport is best suited for those who want a larger screen for productivity, a more powerful processor, and extended battery life, even if it means a larger device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Q10 still worth buying?
The Q10 can be a nostalgic choice for BlackBerry enthusiasts who prioritize a compact form factor and physical keyboard, but its outdated hardware limits its usability in today's app ecosystem.
❓ What is the main difference between the Q10 and Passport?
The primary differences are the display size, processor power, and battery life. The Passport offers a larger screen, a significantly faster processor, and much longer battery life.
