Where does Blackberry stand?

[ryankul]

I have the opportunity to snag a Z10 still sealed in box for $100. Not that I need another phone... lol. But it seems like a good deal. I already passed on one awhile ago.

So few questions maybe someone can give some input on. First is how does the latest Blackberry OS compare to Windows Phone 8.1 (what I'm currently on)?. Secondly is app availability worse, better or the same as WP? Lastly how does the Z10 compare to the Lumia 635 overall? Seems like most places are painting a bad picture of Rim overall lately as a company on its way out.

Thanks for any input.

 

[MRU]

The z10 is not a bad phone. Currently 10.2 is available OS wise but 10.3 should roll out officially soon enough.

Blackberry hub is the big seller here and how message centric the device is.

Yes the main issue is still app related. Whilst it can be alleviated by side loading android apps often they don't properly work (we don't have google services/framework baked in) and performance wise android apps can be very poor overall. The Blackberry world has a very weak selection of BB10 native apps and there is so much 'unadulterated crap copy apps' that are on the App Store it's embarrassing. Local content such as Banks and such are like windows phone really poorly serviced too..

So yeah it's a nice phone, ok battery life, nice OS once you are used to its swipe navigation. But the app selection is poor and the amount of pure detritus apps on the store (often promoted by BB in the store) is embarrassingly shameful.

10.3 should bring enhanced Android support for side loading apps - but do not expect them to all work or performance to come closer to a genuine android device.

Call quality is very good, messaging & email a strong point with BB Hub.

For $100 it's a decent backup handset....

 

[thecurryman]

$100 sealed? thats an amazing deal

Right now I've got a blackberry passport and an iPhone 6+ with the passport being my main phone right now

Apps wise: The blackberry app store has most apps that people would use, it has an instagram, snapchat, pandora etc replacement. The nice thing about blackberry is that you can install android apps so you can install any app that is available for android (except for those that require google services). IMHO this puts it ahead of windows 8.1 because you can simply google the app you want to download and install the apk directly.

also i had the lumia 635 and while its a nice phone it would get quite laggy and bogged down. When i had the z10 i never had those issues!

z10 is a good back up phone or a phone to play around with (not sure if you could use it as a daily though since the battery isn't the biggest and it has outdated hardware)

 

[ryankul]

Great input as usual. Thanks guys! Yea, I was debating between the z10 deal or picking up a Lumia 535. It has a larger display then my 635, twice as much ram and a front facing camera $139. Only downside as it's not an LTE phone. Deciding if I should just hold out for a new Microsoft Lumia w/ LTE. Decisions decisions..

 

[OzExige]

It's Just a Lame attempt at Humor

 

[nfl46]

I just wanted everyone to know that I love BlackBerry. Thanks. I hope that was helpful.

 

[mikeo007]

Z10 is almost 2 years old, with 3 year old hardware and terrible battery life. Not to mention the inherent problems with all the new Blacberrys. If you must have a blackberry, get something newer. Otherwise, avoid IMO.

 

[K-Funk]

I've got a Blackberry Passport. The width takes some getting used to, but the phone is awesome. The Android apps from the Amazon Appstore run fine.

 

[Hastings101]

I love my Z10, but the battery life is just terrible unless you buy a bulky extended battery. Blackberry Hub is pretty much what keeps on me on the phone and will probably keep me glued to Blackberry until they go bankrupt lol; the Hub really makes all the Blackberry phones the perfect communication devices for those of us that mostly do a lot of e-mail, calls, texting, and social media. BB10 is also a great OS but it has the same curse as Windows Phone - it just lacks apps. $100 to mess around for fun if you're a techie is not a bad deal.

App availability is better because you can sideload Android apps through the Amazon App Store, or you can also just Google around for android apps (but this isn't always the safest thing to do).

 

[cube]

You don't need a bulky external battery for the Z10. The BlackBerry Battery Charger Bundle is awesome and inexpensive.

 

[AppleRobert]

I just wanted everyone to know that I love BlackBerry. Thanks. I hope that was helpful.

Guess I wll not ever know since I never owned one, the displays being much too small back in the day for my vision when their smartphones ruled. And I do not expect to see the Z30 anytime soon that I ordered.

 

[BenTrovato]

I played with the blackberry passport.. I think it's a cool idea but ultimately the design is weird. I can see why few people will like it but it could have been designed a lot better. The blackberry classic is not bad at all. I still think if all you do is email all day they are better devices to work on than any touch screen offering.

 

[nfl46]

Guess I wll not ever know since I never owned one, the displays being much too small back in the day for my vision when their smartphones ruled. And I do not expect to see the Z30 anytime soon that I ordered.

I was joking about loving BlackBerry...they are good devices, though. I am like a "Steve Woz". I pretty much use every platform...but Apple has a special place in my heart.

Are you still waiting on your Z30 as well? I'm annoyed with BB. I ordered TEN days ago, paid for expedited shipping and it still hasn't shipped...because they "claim" it is out of stock...but yet, you can purchase a Z30 (white) on their website right now...wtf.

 

[AppleRobert]

I was joking about loving BlackBerry...they are good devices, though. I am like a "Steve Woz". I pretty much use every platform...but Apple has a special place in my heart.

Are you still waiting on your Z30 as well? I'm annoyed with BB. I ordered TEN days ago, paid for expedited shipping and it still hasn't shipped...because they "claim" it is out of stock...but yet, you can purchase a Z30 (white) on their website right now...wtf.

Still waiting, you ordered before me so I am further back in line. I remember your countdown for the white on the other forum. It remains to be seen if I ever get it. No biggie, another toy if it shows up.

 

[nfl46]

Still waiting, you ordered before me so I am further back in line. I remember your countdown for the white on the other forum. It remains to be seen if I ever get it. No biggie, another toy if it shows up.

Oh crap, that's right...as soon as I read this, I got an alert saying that it shipped. Mines should be here on Friday. That's 12 days from the day I ordered. Smh. They're soooo slow.

 

[AppleRobert]

Oh crap, that's right...as soon as I read this, I got an alert saying that it shipped. Mines should be here on Friday. That's 12 days from the day I ordered. Smh. They're soooo slow.

LOL, same here. Got the shipping notice last night and scheduled for delivery on Friday. Guess that isn't too bad considering the number of orders and the holidays. I never dealt with them before but I'm unsure where the "backordered" status was coming from with people on the other forum calling in and being told that. All I ever was told was that they were working as fast as possible to fill the orders and to be patient due to the large volume. So now I know they were true to their word.

Really looking forward to trying the OS again. The Playbook did not pan out but that was quite awhile ago. We'll see.

 

[ryankul]

How does the Q10 compare? Seems like I can snag one of those for not a lot more. Smaller display but retains the physical keyboard. Display is still touch screen. Bad battery life from what my buddy said (still owns z10) kinda puts me off. Anyone know if the battery life on the Q10 is much better or how it compares in general? Thanks

 

[mikeo007]

It's not a lot better, but it's a smaller screen so will get marginally better battery than the z10. Still 3 year old hardware though. Plus it's actually got a keyboard, which is pretty much the only reason to get a berry.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

The only thing that has my attention concerning BB, is the rumor of a second Playbook.

 

[Heavy Fluid]

I had a Q10, and it was not in the same league as other phones out there. It is a pure communication device, with the keyboard, and email, there is nothing better. I completely despised the hub, and the build quality really turned me off. If you put the phone down any harder than a feather, it rebooted. Apparently this was an issue with some of them. I sold it after that. Always felt like I need to have a physical keyboard phone, but the pickings are slim and that is a reality unfortunately. The platform was stale before it was released.

If I were to get another BB right now, Z30 would be it, not the Z10 or the Q10. Classic when it was available possibly, but more than likely would stick with Android.

 

[ryankul]

(On a budget Z30/Q20 not an option)

Also see they have the Q5 which I somehow missed. I'm looking for one which ill have the least likelihood of having hardware issues (heat, keyboard problems etc). Which I've read on both Z10 and Q10.

So to try out a BB10 device which one should I try? I'm leaning towards Q5 or Q10.

 

[mikeo007]

Q5 is junk. Sub-par keyboard, same specs as z10 and q10, except less memory.
If you just want to play with BB10, why not download a simulator from their Dev site?
It's free, and if you really like it, then fork out the cash to try it on a phone.

 

[InuNacho]

I've owned a Z10 and currently use my Q10. The Q10 easily gets 2-3 times more battery life than the Z10, the Z10's battery life is a complete joke. Q10 has an FM radio but unfortunately most android apps aren't designed for it's 1:1 aspect ratio.
If you're planning on side loading I'd stick with a Z10 and if not, Q10.

 

[ryankul]

Got a new Q10 a few days back. Have been using it for last two days. Had jumped from Android to Windows phone but the browsing experience was horrible. The Blackberry Q10 browsing experience has been awesome. Apps have been a non issue since I have access to Blackberrys ecosystem and the Amazon App store. The whole OS is super fluid. Really wish I would have gotten this first time around!