ET Review: BlackBerry Z3

NEW DELHI: The Z3 is BlackBerry’s newest device on the new BB10 platform — designed specifically for emerging markets, the Z3 is a device that delivers everything that BB10 has to offer at an affordable price.

It has a 5-inch screen, smart design & anti-slip, anti-fingerprint textured back panel. The different button and port placement gives you a hint that is not a device manufactured by BlackBerry — it is, in fact, made by Foxconn and is the first phone of many to be made under the new 5 year agreement that the two companies have. The power button, volume up/down and voice control button are along the left edge while the right edge gets a flap covering the SIM and micro SD slots.

If you’ve used the BB10 platform, you’ll see that it works exactly the same way as on other phones like the Z10 and Z30. It works on any data plan, there’s a hub that collects all your accounts in one place, you get effortless multitasking with cards and a keyboard that learns as you type. BlackBerry Maps is now active too (on all BB10 devices).

It may only have a dual core processor but the hardware is optimised to give a great experience. The camera is adequate — acceptable quality outdoors but too much noise indoors. The large battery and ‘frugal’ hardware result in excellent battery life — most users should get 2 days out of it. The screen is probably the biggest compromise in the device. It’s not a ‘bad’ screen per se: colours are punchy, it is responsive and brightness levels are good. The compromise is in terms of screen resolution, which at 960 x 540 pixels is too low for 5-inches.

We’ve been spoilt by cheap phones with high-res screens So the Z3 doesn’t have the best hardware or the best screen even at Rs 15K. But it is sturdy, smart, functional, responsive and good value. You could also get the older Z10 — it has a better screen & a more manageable size at the expense of battery life.



SPECIFICATIONS

BB OS 10.2, 5-inch LCD (960 x 540 pixels; 220ppi), 1.2Ghz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, 1.5GB RAM, 8GB memory (4GB available) – expandable via micro SD, 5MP rear + 1.1MP front cam, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, FM, A-GPS, 2,500mAh, 164 grams





Good: Smart design, great battery life, smooth operation on BB10, compatible with Android apps

Bad: Low resolution screen, feels heavy for the size, no HDMI out, no NFC