BlackBerry Classic Review
posted by John V.
/ Dec 23, 2014, 6:10 AM
Introduction
BlackBerry is bleeding profusely, struggling to stay afloat amidst the competition. By now, it’s quite obvious that they’re no longer the trailblazing company they once were – so they’ve tried to reinvent themselves with devices and a new platform to keep up with the times. From the all-touchscreen Z10, to its redefined QWERTY in the Passport, there’s no arguing that BlackBerry has been experimenting a lot in order to find that “right” form factor. Unfortunately, none of them have been able to make a significant impact on consumers. Enter the BlackBerry Classic, an old-school ‘berry that employs an iconic design. Indeed, it’s a modern spin on a classic, but is it something that’ll really bring back consumers to BlackBerry’s circle?
The package contains:
- microUSB charging cable
- Wall charger
- Stereo headphones
- Owner’s manual
Design
Nostalgia comes full circle with this one, as we’re reminded of the BlackBerry Bold 9900.
Frankly, the BlackBerry Classic looks almost identical to the 2011-made BlackBerry Bold 9900 – though, it’s slightly larger in size. On one hand, we love the classic design, but on the other, we would’ve liked to see a more profound, evolutionary design. In all honesty, the design is a stark contrast to the BlackBerry Passport, which sports a daring industrial design for the times. Instead, the BlackBerry Classic comes off as tepid, one that attempts to give the classic design some notoriety once again, but comes off as being nothing more than nostalgic.
To see the phones in real size or compare them with other models, visit our Visual Phone Size Comparison page
Keyboard
Boy does it feel good to see this classic keyboard again! It’s a hundred times more useful than the Passport’s awkwardly arranged keyboard.
Thank goodness BlackBerry decided to use the classic Bold keyboard from yesteryear, as opposed to the newer layout and style of the Passport keyboard. No longer are we struggling to type on this QWERTY, as it features the same sculpted keys, stainless steel band separators, and tactile responses that made the old BlackBerry smartphones such a joy to type on. At the same time, the Classic brings back the optical trackpad and physical set of buttons beneath its display – providing another alternative to navigation and operating the platform.
Display
It’s not ground breaking in any sort of way, but its 1:1 aspect ratio is what gives it that “classic” BlackBerry look.
Impressively, the Classic’s display emits a potent 900 nit brightness, which not only makes it more than visible on the brightest of days, but it’s unequivocally the brightest display on a smartphone we’ve come across ever. Everything seems to be in good order with the display, since there are several great characteristics with it. However, our biggest complaint is actually is its size. Due to its square nature and smaller size, we’re constantly causing apps to “minimize” whenever we flick our finger from the bottom bezel towards the top – like the action needed to scroll vertically in the browser.
149 Comments
124. farrid
Posts: 35; Member since: Jun 20, 2014
It has its intended audience and your not it so try not to feel too special. They didn't make it for kids that like cool tricks and big glitzy animations to make you think you have something amazing in your hand. This is for people who know what they want and want to get stuff done, not play games kido
posted on Dec 31, 2014, 10:52 AM 6
143. loknarr unregistered
Yeah, it's not a TOY phone like alot of the junk on the market. I just got one a few days ago and love it.
posted on Apr 26, 2015, 7:17 PM 2
125. miles16852
Posts: 241; Member since: Oct 20, 2011
troll along please!
posted on Jan 01, 2015, 3:58 AM 2
4. hafini_27
Posts: 942; Member since: Oct 31, 2013
Damn, i wanted it to be good.
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 6:27 AM 1
39. Crispin_Gatieza
Posts: 3059; Member since: Jan 23, 2014
It is. You're just not going to know about it here.
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 5:46 PM 2
6. meanestgenius
Posts: 21159; Member since: May 28, 2014
Hey Phonearena, next time try judging the device on its intended purpose. A multimedia device this is not. It's intended for BUSINESS. Food for thought.
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 6:29 AM 17
43. John.V
Posts: 99; Member since: May 27, 2011
Its intentions, I hope, is to be a great smartphone - not just business.
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 7:53 PM 2
46. meanestgenius
Posts: 21159; Member since: May 28, 2014
IT IS a great smartphone, geared towards business. How you can say it's not, and yet the iPhone, which sucks at basic phone functions, is regarded so high by you all at phonearena reeks of bias. Too much BlackBerry hate goes on at this site, and it's also perpetrated by the authors of this site.
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 7:56 PM 6
142. meanestgenius
Posts: 21159; Member since: May 28, 2014
Dude, you're STILL responding to this article?? Let it go, dude.
posted on Feb 16, 2015, 11:58 AM 1
123. whowhy5
Posts: 1; Member since: Dec 30, 2014
It's intentions as presented by their CEO John Chen is to be a great business and productivity tool geared at their core enterprise customers, not to be a great smartphone for consumers who focus on multimedia, emojis, games and apps (even though users have access to the Amazon App Store, Blackberry World and with very little work the Google Play Store.)
This review should have been done based on who the phone was designed for and what it was designed to do. You wouldn't compare a mini van against a luxury sports car would you?
"The 2014 Ford Mini Van is really sluggish compared to the 2014 Porsche 911 and we aren't really sure why Ford would release such a vehicle."- Phone Arena 2014
posted on Dec 30, 2014, 9:40 AM 4
148. bmobini
Posts: 2; Member since: Jul 11, 2016
Every tool has a purpose. In the same way that one would not attempt to cook food under a clothes iron, one should not expect to watch movies on a Blackberry. They are great phones that excel at their intended purpose, which is messaging. I have used various iPhones, Android devices, and even Windows phones to no avail. Typing on a touch screen is very inaccurate and spell check or correction incorrectly changes words to make my messages completely convey the wrong messages. I use an Android tablet for media consumption and my Blackberry for messaging and emails, since I am self-employed. Besides, watching movies all day makes one poor and fat.
posted on Jul 11, 2016, 9:34 AM 0
145. farrid
Posts: 35; Member since: Jun 20, 2014
You are like the kids in the new generation that know nothing but the touch screen and brainwashed on what you think should be. You obviously can't think outside of your box and won't appreciate the true benefit and functionality of BB10 phones. Your a slow learner and I will have to give you some slack I guess.
posted on Apr 29, 2015, 9:55 AM 3
7. Bondurant
Posts: 755; Member since: Jun 04, 2014
A 3 layer keyboard of passport on the classic would be awesome. The screen being 3/4 the front surface of classic and keypad for the rest, cut off a bit more of the top bezels too. Would make the classic more next generation and attractive to non-business consumers.
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 7:32 AM 1
9. toiletcleaner
Posts: 224; Member since: Oct 10, 2012
You want a multimedia device, go and buy one Ipod touch. want a phone? get the Blackberry classic
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 7:52 AM 5
45. John.V
Posts: 99; Member since: May 27, 2011
How about wanting a great phone?
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 7:55 PM 2
58. Crispin_Gatieza
Posts: 3059; Member since: Jan 23, 2014
I defy you to find a better messaging phone or platform. Go ahead, I'll wait.
posted on Dec 24, 2014, 12:10 PM 3
10. Anshulonweb
Posts: 468; Member since: Feb 07, 2014
wtf!....900 nits!...
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 7:58 AM 4
11. g2a5b0e unregistered
How is 2515mAh a modest battery size for a device with a 3.5" screen? That's huge! Unless it is horribly optimized, this phone should get awesome battery life.
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 8:20 AM 6
126. miles16852
Posts: 241; Member since: Oct 20, 2011
yes, it does, I have it, and so far it says battery is at 27% and time since last charge is 2days and 9hours!
posted on Jan 01, 2015, 4:00 AM 1
12. fairnuff
Posts: 3; Member since: Dec 23, 2014
6.5? really? 7.5-8 shouldve given it justice. its a business phone not an iPhone.
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 8:56 AM 8
14. SaintHelena
Posts: 397; Member since: Nov 05, 2014
This phone is 4 years too late. It should be 4.5.
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 9:18 AM 3
22. SaintHelena
Posts: 397; Member since: Nov 05, 2014
4 years ago it would be a great upgrade for the bold.
Right now... who cares.
posted on Dec 23, 2014, 10:57 AM 2
* Some comments have been hidden, because they don't meet the discussions rules.
- Display 3.5" 720 x 720 pixels
- Camera 8 MP / 2 MP front
- Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4, Dual-core, 1500 MHz
- Memory
- Storage 16 GB + microSDXC
- Battery 2515 mAh(11.7h 3G talk time)
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