Attention avid BlackBerry fans – we know that you are out there. If you’re looking for a phone that has many of the features of other high-end mobiles, but doesn’t compromise on the Canadian company’s communication-centric way of thinking, then consider the Z3.
The device is available in South Africa, but it’s important to note that the Z3 was created specifically for those living in Indonesia and its surrounds – they have been deemed as “ultra” BlackBerry users. Therefore, the Z3 is missing features such as LTE because it’s not widely available in those areas.
BlackBerry Z3
If you’re a photography buff, then this is not the phone for you – it hasn’t been built to be a photo-taking device: the 5 MP rear camera is mediocre, but the 1.1 MP front-facing image-shooter is less than sufficient, but oddly enough, BlackBerry has added Full HD video playback functionality.
The Z3 still has BBM available, so there’s no problem keeping in touch with your fellow BlackBerry users; it’s also packed with apps covering travel, lifestyle, music, video, games and news.
So, the bottom line is that the Z3 isn’t a bad phone; if pure communication is the reason that you use a phone, then it’s worth bearing in mind.
Key Specs
- 5.0” Capacitive touchscreen
- Resolution: 540 X 960 pixels
- 5 MP, autofocus, LED flash
- 1.1 MP, 720p
- BlackBerry OS 10.2.1, upgradable to v10.3.1
- Qualcomm MSM8230 Snapdragon 400 chipset
- Dual-core 1.2 GHz Krait 200
- microSD dedicated card slot (expandable up to 32 GB)
- 5 GB RAM
- Internal storage capacity: 8 GB
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
- Bluetooth: 0, A2DP, LE
- microUSB v2.0
- Non-removable Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery
- Up to 15h 30min of talk time
Pros: Supports Android apps; responsive QWERTY keyboard; Full HD video playback; favourable battery endurance;
Cons: Only 8 GB (5.9 GB useable) onboard storage; poor-quality images taken in low-light conditions; not LTE enabled; plain design
Verdict: 5/10
