BlackBerry isn't giving up just yet, unveils 5-inch Z30 smartphone

Scorpus

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BlackBerry isn't putting the cue in the rack just yet, today unveiling a brand new smartphone and the successor to the original BlackBerry Z10. Known imaginatively as the BlackBerry Z30, the new flagship handset packs the latest version of the BlackBerry OS, 10.2, into a body that, like its predecessor, lacks a physical keyboard.

Keeping in line with the display size trend of late, the BlackBerry Z30 packs a 5-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1280 x 720, which comes in with a density of 295 PPI. The SoC powering the phone has also been upgraded: the Z30 includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC, and although the exact model wasn't specified, the chip will come with a 1.7 GHz dual-core CPU and Adreno 320 GPU on-board.

The Z30's camera setup appears identical to the Z10, with the device packing an 8-megapixel rear camera with f/2.2 lens and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Other specs include 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, a large 2,880 mAh non-removable battery, 4G LTE connectivity, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n.

BlackBerry hasn't specified how much the Z30 will cost, but it's slated for release next week in the United Kingdom and Middle East, with a United States launch occurring before the holiday season. Although the handset comes with an improved set of specifications and a range of new features thanks to BB OS 10.2, it remains to be seen if the device can lift BlackBerry's slipping market share.

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IMO 1280 x 720 is perfect for a 5" screen. I like the looks of this phone but it looks just like any other phone out there. I hope BB can do something unique to it to make it stand out or more desirable but without inflating the cost too much. That new customizable Motorola phone with timber panels etc. is on the right track but unfortunately the price is not
 
IMO 1280 x 720 is perfect for a 5" screen. I like the looks of this phone but it looks just like any other phone out there. I hope BB can do something unique to it to make it stand out or more desirable but without inflating the cost too much. That new customizable Motorola phone with timber panels etc. is on the right track but unfortunately the price is not

I'll tell you what Blackberry could offer to set themselves apart: a sensible, intuitive UI and a trackpad + keyboard. Like they used to have. If they could price it realistically for a change that would be even better.
 
IMO 1280 x 720 is perfect for a 5" screen. I like the looks of this phone but it looks just like any other phone out there. I hope BB can do something unique to it to make it stand out or more desirable but without inflating the cost too much. That new customizable Motorola phone with timber panels etc. is on the right track but unfortunately the price is not

I'll tell you what Blackberry could offer to set themselves apart: a sensible, intuitive UI and a trackpad + keyboard. Like they used to have. If they could price it realistically for a change that would be even better.
That's exactly what I was trying to say but couldn't find the right words. :)
 
And a smart move, an up2 64 GB microSD slot card.They should invest in supporting apps more.
 
Gonna do any benchmarks on that? would be nice to see how it stands against Sony xperia and HTC one :)
 
Give.
the.
phone.
a.
home (or something)
button.

It annoys the bejezus out of me to not have any real physical button...
 
I tried out the Z10 or whatever it is for the first time in a shop last week.

My first reaction was that the phone looks like a 2+ year old model. Bulky, heavy, not sleek at all.

Then I fired it up and tried to do something. Nope. Okay, lets go Home and open another app. Nope. Two minutes later and swiping everywhere, I left the store with no progress.
 
I tried out the Z10 or whatever it is for the first time in a shop last week.

My first reaction was that the phone looks like a 2+ year old model. Bulky, heavy, not sleek at all.

Then I fired it up and tried to do something. Nope. Okay, lets go Home and open another app. Nope. Two minutes later and swiping everywhere, I left the store with no progress.

Have to disagree with this comment entirely. It's not a heavy phone, and it sounds like you just didn't learn how to use it.
 
Have to disagree with this comment entirely. It's not a heavy phone, and it sounds like you just didn't learn how to use it.

It was just my personal two minutes with it, whilst tied down to the promotional bench. Your mileage may vary. :p

And no, I didn't learn to use it. I'm sure that the OS gives you a nice tutorial when you launch it for the first time, but it's definitely not intuitive if given to someone else.
 
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