BlackBerry Classic (GSM)
Phone Scoop Review
Dec 24, 2014 by Eric M. Zeman
BlackBerry returns to what it knows best with the Classic: a compact handset that is best used for managing email. The Classic is a one-trick pony in a stable full of tricked out ponies. read review ›
User Reviews
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Finally, a next-gen BlackBerry!
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When BlackBerry first announced BB10 and the Z10 phone I think they made a huge mistake. Actually, they made the mistake of ditching the physical keyboard when they tried their hand at an all-touchscreen Strorm. However, BB10 has evolved, and so has the company. The BlackBerry Classic is by far the best phone the company has released since the Bold!
The build quality, battery life, screen, and keyboard are all fantastic. My wife does not have to charge her phone during the day at all, and she's a heavy user, reading Feedly, downloading and listening to podcasts, playing games, constantly checking and replying to work and personal email, etc. She has yet to go to bed with less than 30%, and most days it's higher. I realize this is anecdotal, but the battery life is great, and performance is solid. Android apps can install and mostly work great. They may take SLIGHTLY longer to load, but you can suspend them and go back in later if that's a big deal. The Hub is fantastic and every phone should have it.
The camera might be one of the weaker elements by comparison to newer phones with 20MP+ sensors, but the 8MP camera works well, is fast, and certainly is good enough for sending pictures messages.
Back to the Android aspect, the fact that you can get the Play Store, Google Play Services, and Google Login means that you can also get the official YouTube, and Google Maps onto your device, which makes up for the built in BB Maps app that isn't as good, but does load quickly and do turn-by-turn directions.
If you use Exchange email at work, or miss having a physical keyboard..or perhaps you've held onto an older BlackBerry device, well the time has come! With the return of the utility belt and improved build from the Q10, this is a fantastic phone that you'll be very happy with.
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Better Late Than Never
Carrier: AT&T
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Two words come to mind to describe the BlackBerry Classic...Professional and Quality. This is the phone that should have been released instead of the Q10. The design is flawless, quality and weight in the hand is undeniable, it doesn't feel like a colorful play toy, more like a device for adults, professionals, etc... OS 10.3 has a slightly different look than 10.2, but navigating around is almost identical. The keyboard is the best ever from Blackberry in terms of size and feel, making the phone more efficient than ever. 128Gb of microSD storage, audio quality, organization of OS 10.3, and security are arguably best in class. It's loaded with everything you need (including the handy flashlight) and nothing you don't (unless you need to play and have time to play games). The size is considerably larger than the BB Bold/Curve/Q10 of yesteryear - similar to Galaxy 3/4/5/6, and thus much larger and visible than iphone 5. If there is a CON, it would be the processor speed and interface speed - while fine, its not snappy quick. Blackberry could have and should have easily improved the processor from the 1.5 Ghz like in the Q10 to 1.7 or 2.0Ghz. Our office replaced 90 percent of the hodge podge of phones with this Classic - everyone is VERY happy to have that keyboard back AND the larger screen. For the company that set the bar very high for so long...welcome back with this masterpiece.
