REINVENTING THE WHEEL
BlackBerry enjoyed immense popularity not too many moons ago with phones like Curve and Bold. But unfortunately the road hasn’t been so smooth for the Canadian company since. Times have changed and the loyal fan base is shrinking, but will the recognisable design of the BlackBerry Classic be enough to excite those that once lived through BBM?
Let’s hope so, because that’s exactly what they’ve done. Introducing, BlackBerry Classic.BlackBerry Classic official
THE BEST BITS
- Sleek, familiar design with QWERTY keyboard
- BlackBerry 10.3 OS
- Android app availability
- All your favourite BB features
- MicroSD card slot for extra storage space
Everything you loved the first time round, and more. The BlackBerry Classic – proving you can teach an old dog new tricks.
PREMIUM FEEL
On first impressions it’s clear the BlackBerry Classic looks and feels a lot like its predecessors. For one, the square trackpad has made a return. And as soon as you pick it up, the premium feel and weight are both telltale signs of something special.
GRAND DESIGN
The handset is fronted by a relatively small display, measuring just 3.4-inches – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Although a lot of manufacturers seem set on making bigger phones these days (including BlackBerry with the Passport), there’s still a lot to be said for the more petit handheld helper.
The silver rim that surrounds the device is a nice touch, and provides a clean-cut finish to a very handsome handset.
‘APPY DAYS
There has been one consistent problem with BlackBerry through the years – an infuriating lack of apps on BlackBerry World. Thankfully this has been sorted. Because BlackBerry has teamed up with Amazon, and as Amazon sells everything in the world ever, you can now get Android apps from the Amazon Appstore. Rejoice.
YOUR VERY OWN PA
Do you often find yourself needing a cautionary nudge to remind you of that all important meeting? Enter Blackberry Assistant, with the power to listen to your requests and dutifully take care of them – be it sending a BBM or checking in on the footy score.
QWERTY KEYS
How could we review a BlackBerry phone and not mention the iconic QWERTY keyboard? The clicky keys haven’t changed much over the years and still give accurate input, despite their small size. They’re joined by the four navigational keys from BlackBerrys of old, which work well with the touch display to give even more freedom to navigate. No complaints here.
THE DOWNSIDES
At only 720p, the screen resolution is a bit of a let down – just one step away from Full HD. Most manufacturers now run with Full HD as a standard, so this mightn’t be the phone for you if you’re looking for standout image quality or vibrant colours.
The camera also comes in at 8 megapixels – which isn’t awful, but there are some much better snappers out there if you’re big on photography.
OUR VERDICT
For those looking for a creative partner you will be disappointed with the camera quality and screen resolution, however the BlackBerry Classic is perfect for the office. It’s understated, sophisticated, elegant and has all the makings of a pocket PA.
Looking for a BlackBerry with more power than the Classic? Then check out our review of the BlackBerry Passport.