Nostalgia for physical keyboards and BlackBerry's heyday is real. The BlackBerry Q5 and Classic offer a return to that era, but with different approaches. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right one.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Classic edges out the Q5 thanks to its slightly faster processor and overall refined feel. While the Q5 boasts impressive battery life, the Classic's improved performance and iconic design make it the preferred choice for BlackBerry purists.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - SQR100-1 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 17 - SQR100-1 | 4, 13 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | 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 |
| | 3, 7, 8, 20 - SQR100-2 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, May. Released 2013, June | 2015, February. Released 2015, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 120 x 66 x 10.8 mm (4.72 x 2.60 x 0.43 in) | 131 x 72.4 x 10.2 mm (5.16 x 2.85 x 0.40 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 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 (~39.1% 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 1.2 GHz Krait | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus | - |
| GPU | Adreno 225 | - |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 10.2, upgradable to 10.3.1 | BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 30mm (standard), AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | - |
| Video | 720p | - |
| 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 (market dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio (after SW upgrade) | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+/FlAC player
DivX/XviD/MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Photo/video editor
Document viewer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 336 h (3G) | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 22 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2180 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Red, Gray, Pink | Black |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | 1.33 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) | 1.41 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.38 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 55h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1293:1 (nominal) / 1.682:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 76dB
| - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB | - |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 55h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1293:1 (nominal) / 1.682:1 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 75dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 76dB | - |
BlackBerry Q5
- Excellent battery life (55h)
- Physical keyboard
- More affordable
- Includes a camera
- Slower processor
- Older chipset
- Less refined design compared to Classic
BlackBerry Classic Non Camera
- Faster processor (1.5 GHz)
- Classic BlackBerry design
- Physical keyboard
- Generally better build quality
- No camera
- Shorter battery life than Q5
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 3.5-inch display, but the Q5's contrast ratio (1293:1 nominal, 1.682:1 sunlight) suggests better outdoor visibility. The Classic's display, while not explicitly detailed in specs, is generally considered to offer good clarity and color reproduction for its time.
Camera Comparison
The Q5 includes a basic camera, while the 'Non Camera' Classic, as the name suggests, lacks one entirely. This is a significant difference for users who value photography, making the Q5 the only option in this regard.
Performance
The BlackBerry Classic holds a slight advantage with its 1.5 GHz dual-core Krait processor compared to the Q5's 1.2 GHz version. This translates to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking on the Classic, although both are limited by their older architecture.
Battery Life
The Q5 shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 55 hours. The Classic's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the Q5's longevity, likely due to the slightly more powerful processor.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Q5 is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and a more affordable price point. The BlackBerry Classic is best suited for those who value the classic BlackBerry experience, a physical keyboard, and a slightly more powerful processor, even without a camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Classic worth buying in 2024?
It depends on your priorities. If you crave the classic BlackBerry experience and don't need a camera, it's a fun retro device. However, be aware of its limitations and the lack of modern features.
❓ Which BlackBerry has better performance?
The BlackBerry Classic has a slightly faster processor (1.5 GHz vs 1.2 GHz) and generally offers better performance.
