Nostalgia is a powerful force, and it's brought back two intriguing devices: the Sony Ericsson Hazel and the BlackBerry Z3. Both represent different eras of mobile technology, but which one holds up best in a modern context? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Z3 edges out the Hazel due to its more robust chipset and processing power. While the Hazel's appeal lies in its retro design, the Z3 offers a more functional and reliable experience for everyday use, despite both being dated devices.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, December. Released 2010, May | 2014, February. Released 2014, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 102 x 49.5 x 16 mm (4.02 x 1.95 x 0.63 in) | 140 x 72.8 x 9.3 mm (5.51 x 2.87 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 oz) | 164 g (5.78 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~41.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 16M colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Krait 200 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8230 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 305 |
| OS | - | BlackBerry OS 10.2.1, upgradable to 10.3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 280MB | 8GB 1.5GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries, Photocall | - |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.4, 30mm (standard), AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Yes | 1.1 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation | GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | USB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront), RSS reader | - |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | HD Voice ready
MP3/eAAC+/WAV player
SensMe, Track ID
MP4/H.264 player
Photo editor
Widget Manager
Organizer
Eco friendly materials
Walkmate, CO2 Calculator
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 84 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 469 h (2G) / Up to 588 h (3G) | Up to 384 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 15 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery (BST-43) | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Superior Black, Passionate Rouge | Black |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -87.3dB / Crosstalk -86.8dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 66dB
| - |
Sony Ericsson Hazel
- Unique retro design
- Potential collector's item
- Compact size
- Limited specs
- Likely poor performance
- Basic camera
- Unknown battery life
BlackBerry Z3
- Physical keyboard
- Better performance than Hazel
- More modern display
- Likely longer battery life
- Dated design
- Limited app ecosystem
- Low resolution display
- Outdated software
Display Comparison
The Hazel likely features a smaller, lower-resolution display typical of its era. The BlackBerry Z3 boasts a 5-inch display, offering a more modern viewing experience, though still limited by its resolution. The Z3 wins here for sheer size and usability.
Camera Comparison
The Hazel is described as having a 'Photo' camera, suggesting a basic camera experience. The Z3 likely has a modest camera setup, but it's probable it offers slightly better image quality and features. The Z3 likely wins, but both are limited.
Performance
The BlackBerry Z3's Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset and dual-core processor provide significantly better performance than the Hazel, which lacks detailed specs. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Z3. The Z3 is the clear winner.
Battery Life
The BlackBerry Z3 likely has a larger battery capacity than the Hazel, given its larger size. Expect longer battery life on the Z3, especially considering the Hazel's older, less efficient components. The Z3 likely wins.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Hazel is for collectors and those seeking a purely nostalgic experience. The BlackBerry Z3 is for users who prioritize basic functionality, messaging, and a physical keyboard, and don't need cutting-edge features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still supported with software updates?
Highly unlikely. Both devices are very old and no longer receive official software updates. Security vulnerabilities are a significant concern.
❓ Can I use these phones with a modern SIM card?
It depends on the SIM card size and network compatibility. You may need to research the specific network bands supported by each device to ensure compatibility with your carrier.
