The BlackBerry Q5 and Q10 represent a pivotal era for the brand, attempting to balance legacy features with modern demands. Both phones feature the iconic physical keyboard, but differ significantly in their internals and target audience. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one holds up best today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Q10 edges out the Q5 thanks to its superior display, potentially faster processor (LTE version), and slightly better overall performance. While both offer excellent battery life and the beloved keyboard, the Q10's refinements make it the more compelling choice for those seeking a premium BlackBerry experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - SQR100-1 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - SQN100-1 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 17 - SQR100-1 | 2, 4, 5, 17 - SQN100-1, SQN100-5 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, HSPA, LTE (market dependent) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | 3, 7, 8, 20 - SQR100-2 | 25 - SQN100-4 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, May. Released 2013, June | 2013, January. Released 2013, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 120 x 66 x 10.8 mm (4.72 x 2.60 x 0.43 in) | 119.6 x 66.8 x 10.4 mm (4.71 x 2.63 x 0.41 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | QWERTY |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 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 (~39.1% 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 1.2 GHz Krait | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait (LTE version)/ Cortex-A9 (Non-LTE) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus | Snapdragon S4 (LTE version)/ TI OMAP 4470 (Non-LTE) |
| GPU | Adreno 225 | Adreno 225 (LTE version)/ PowerVR SGX544 (Non-LTE) |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 10.2, upgradable to 10.3.1 | BlackBerry OS 10, upgradable to 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 30mm (standard), AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | 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 (market dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio (after SW upgrade) | FM radio (after SW upgrade) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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 |
| | - | HDMI port |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 336 h (3G) | Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2180 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Red, Gray, Pink | Black, White |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 1.33 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.38 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) | 1.41 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB |
Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -82.7dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 55h
|
Endurance rating 56h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1293:1 (nominal) / 1.682:1 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.856:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 75dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 76dB
|
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB | Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -82.7dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 55h | Endurance rating 56h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1293:1 (nominal) / 1.682:1 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) / 2.856:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 75dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 76dB | Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
BlackBerry Q5
- More affordable
- Decent battery life
- Physical keyboard
- Compact design
- Lower quality display
- Slightly slower processor
- Plastic build quality
BlackBerry Q10
- Superior display
- Potentially faster processor (LTE version)
- Premium build quality
- Physical keyboard
- Higher price
- Can be harder to find
- Similar camera performance to Q5
Display Comparison
The Q10 boasts a significantly superior display with an 'infinite' nominal contrast ratio and a much better sunlight readability ratio (2.856:1) compared to the Q5's 1293:1 nominal and 1.682:1 sunlight. This translates to richer colors, deeper blacks, and better visibility outdoors on the Q10.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature similar camera hardware, but image quality is often dependent on software processing. Expect decent, but not exceptional, photo and video capabilities from both devices. Low-light performance will likely be a weakness on both.
Performance
The Q10's LTE version features a slightly faster 1.5 GHz Krait processor, while the non-LTE version uses a Cortex-A9. Both are dual-core, but the Q10's Snapdragon S4 (LTE) generally offers a noticeable performance boost over the Q5's Snapdragon S4 Plus. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization and usage.
Battery Life
Battery life is remarkably similar, with both devices achieving an endurance rating of 55-56 hours. This suggests comparable battery capacity and power efficiency.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Q5 is a good option for budget-conscious users who prioritize a physical keyboard and decent battery life. The Q10 is ideal for BlackBerry purists and those who value a higher-quality display and potentially faster performance, especially the LTE variant.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Q5 or Q10 better for typing?
Both offer excellent physical keyboards, but the Q10's slightly larger keys and potentially better key travel might provide a marginally better typing experience for some users.
❓ Which BlackBerry is easier to find and repair?
The Q5 is generally easier to find as it was produced in larger quantities. Repair parts for both models can be challenging to source due to their age.
