The BlackBerry Q10 and the BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983 represent different eras of BlackBerry's ambition. The Q10 aimed for mainstream appeal with a physical keyboard, while the P'9983 was a luxury edition, blending BlackBerry security with Porsche's design aesthetic. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which device holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Porsche Design P'9983 edges out the Q10 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and premium build quality. However, the Q10's exceptional battery life and readily available software support make it a compelling alternative for those prioritizing longevity and functionality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - SQN100-1 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU, EMEA |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 17 - SQN100-1, SQN100-5 | 3, 7, 8, 20 - EU, EMEA |
| 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 | 2, 4, 5, 17 - North America |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, January. Released 2013, April | 2014, September. Released 2014, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 119.6 x 66.8 x 10.4 mm (4.71 x 2.63 x 0.41 in) | 119 x 67.1 x 10.6 mm (4.69 x 2.64 x 0.42 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 139 g (4.90 oz) | 140 g (4.94 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 | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait (LTE version)/ Cortex-A9 (Non-LTE) | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Snapdragon S4 (LTE version)/ TI OMAP 4470 (Non-LTE) | Qualcomm MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro |
| GPU | Adreno 225 (LTE version)/ PowerVR SGX544 (Non-LTE) | Adreno 225 |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 10, upgradable to 10.3.1 | BlackBerry OS 10.3, upgradable to 10.3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio (after SW upgrade) | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual band, 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 | 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 45 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 288 h (2G) / Up to 288 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 430 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 Q10
- Excellent battery life (56h)
- Physical QWERTY keyboard
- More readily available software support (historically)
- Generally more affordable
- Older chipset, slower performance
- Lower resolution display
- Camera quality is basic
BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983
- Premium Porsche Design aesthetics
- Slightly faster processor (Snapdragon S4 Pro)
- More exclusive and luxurious feel
- Solid build quality
- Higher price point
- Likely shorter battery life
- Software support may be limited
- Camera is comparable to Q10
Display Comparison
Both devices feature 3.5-inch displays, but the Q10 boasts a reported 'infinite' contrast ratio (though realistically measured at 2.856:1 in sunlight), suggesting potentially better black levels. The P'9983's display, while not explicitly detailed, likely offers comparable quality given the era. Neither display is particularly impressive by modern standards, but they were adequate for the time.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not fully detailed for either device. Both likely offer standard photo and video capabilities for their time, but don't expect flagship-level image quality. The P'9983 might have a marginally better sensor due to its higher-end positioning, but the difference would be minimal.
Performance
The P'9983's Qualcomm MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro offers a slight performance advantage over the Q10's Snapdragon S4 (LTE version) or TI OMAP 4470 (Non-LTE). While both feature dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processors, the Snapdragon S4 Pro generally delivers better efficiency and slightly faster speeds. Expect smoother multitasking on the P'9983.
Battery Life
The Q10 shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 56 hours significantly surpasses the P'9983's likely battery performance (estimated around 20-24 hours based on similar Snapdragon S4 Pro devices). This makes the Q10 a clear winner for longevity.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Q10 is ideal for users who value a physical keyboard, long battery life, and a more affordable price point. The BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9983 is for those seeking a luxury device with a unique design and a slightly improved processor, willing to pay a premium for exclusivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Q10 still worth buying?
If you value a physical keyboard and long battery life, the Q10 can still be a functional device, but be aware of its age and limited software updates.
❓ What makes the Porsche Design P'9983 special?
The P'9983's appeal lies in its exclusive Porsche Design aesthetics, premium materials, and slightly improved performance compared to the standard Q10.
