The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT and BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981 represent the pinnacle of luxury smartphones, blending exquisite materials with unique design philosophies. But beyond the premium price tags, which phone truly delivers a superior experience? This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981 offers a more functional experience with its Snapdragon processor and BlackBerry OS, albeit dated. The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT prioritizes unparalleled craftsmanship and exclusivity, sacrificing performance for a truly bespoke luxury item. The P'9981 is the more practical choice; the Vertu, the ultimate status symbol.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, January. Released 2011, Q2 | 2011, October. Released 2011, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 118 x 45 x 18 mm (4.65 x 1.77 x 0.71 in) | 115 x 67 x 11.3 mm (4.53 x 2.64 x 0.44 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| | Flashlight | Optical trackpad |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density) | 640 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~286 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.0 inches, 12.4 cm2 (~23.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~31.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 16M colors | TFT |
| | Sapphire crystal stainless steel keys
Chronograph stopwatch | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | 1.2 GHz |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8655 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 205 |
| OS | - | BlackBerry OS 7.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB | 8GB 768MB RAM |
| Phonebook | 2000 contacts, Photocall | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML | - |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP4/H.263 player
MP3/WAV/AAC+ player
synchronization service
Vertu Concierge service
Vertu Fortress secure back up service
Organizer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | MP3/eAAC+/Flac/WAV player
MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 300 h (2G) / Up to 300 h (3G) | Up to 348 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) | Up to 5 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion battery | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Gray, Black |
| Price | - | About 800 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT
- Unparalleled craftsmanship
- Exclusive materials (Ferrari branding)
- Personalized concierge service
- Unique design
- Lack of detailed specs
- Potentially limited performance
- Extremely high price
- Limited app ecosystem
BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981
- Physical QWERTY keyboard
- BlackBerry OS security features
- More readily available (compared to Vertu)
- Functional smartphone experience
- Outdated operating system
- Limited app selection
- Lower performance compared to modern smartphones
- Small display
Display Comparison
The BlackBerry P'9981 features a 2.8-inch square display, adequate for its time but limited by resolution and size. The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT likely boasts a smaller, high-resolution display, prioritizing aesthetics and integration with the phone's design. The P'9981's screen is functional; the Vertu's is likely more visually appealing.
Camera Comparison
The BlackBerry P'9981 has a 5MP camera, typical for its era. The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT likely features a higher-resolution camera, though image quality may be secondary to the phone's overall design. Expect better image quality from the Vertu, but not flagship-level.
Performance
The BlackBerry P'9981's Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 chipset provides decent performance for BlackBerry OS tasks, but struggles with modern apps. The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT, while lacking detailed specs, likely utilizes a more modern, albeit potentially optimized, chipset to ensure smooth operation within its intended use case. The P'9981 is noticeably slower.
Battery Life
The BlackBerry P'9981 offers a reasonable battery life for its time, around 8-10 hours of moderate use. The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT's battery life is unknown, but likely optimized for its intended usage patterns, potentially prioritizing longer standby time over heavy usage.
Buying Guide
The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT is for the discerning individual who values exclusivity, handcrafted materials, and personalized concierge services above all else. The BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981 is for those who appreciate a blend of luxury design and a functional, albeit older, BlackBerry experience, prioritizing physical keyboard and security.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still supported with software updates?
No, both phones are long past their software support lifecycle. Expect limited functionality with modern apps and services.
❓ How much do these phones typically cost?
The BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981 can be found used for around $500-$1000. The Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT commands a significantly higher price, often exceeding $15,000, depending on condition and rarity.
