Review: BlackBerry Q10 for Verizon Wireless
BlackBerry did a fine job with the Q10. The hardware is top-notch, the keyboard is great, and the screen looks really nice. The phone managed to always perform well on Verizon's network in terms of connection and the quality of that connection. The Verizon Q10 offers markedly cleaner and louder phone calls than the AT&T version, and the data speeds were excellent. Battery life is quite good, and bests most other devices I've tested in recent months.
As good as the keyboard is, I found the small screen frustrating. I've used all-touch phones for too long and a device such as the Q10 simply isn't for me. That said, anyone who's interested in the Q10 knows that's the deal they're getting with this form factor and likely doesn't need a phablet-size display.
BlackBerry 10 is a fine operating system, but it still has plenty of weaknesses compared to Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. The lack of marquee apps is frustrating and the lack of apps such as Chrome, Google+, and so on is a bit of a let-down for someone entrenched in Google's various services. Again, this is another trade-off you're making by choosing the Q10 and BlackBerry 10.
For what it is, a QWERTY-equipped smartphone, the Q10 earns solid marks, but still misses the mark on occasion.
Our Ratings
Hands-On: BlackBerry Z10 and Q10
RIM Reveals Z10 and Q10, the First BlackBerry 10 Smartphones
BlackBerry Makes Skype Available to Q10
BlackBerry Q10 (CDMA)
