Sunday, March 16, 2014
The All New BlackBerry Z30
The All New BlackBerry Z30FOR
- Fast, slick OS
- Larger screen
- Fast, slick OS
- Larger screen
AGAINST
- Expensive
- Lacks appeal
- Expensive
- Lacks appeal
Here is BlackBerrys touchscreen phablet, the BlackBerry Z30.
The device is the first to run the 10.2 version of the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which features updates to the OS including the BlackBerry Priority Hub, which collects the most important messages across email, social networking and other accounts to give users quicker access to high-priority conversations.
It features a five-inch Super AMOLED display, and a 1.7GHz quad-core processor. In the UK it goes on sale exclusively at department store Selfridges this weekend for £529 without a contract, with other retailers and mobile operators selling it next week.
In the flesh, BlackBerrys freshly announced flagship smartphone, the BlackBerry Z30, looks even more alluring than I thought it would. Billed by the company as its biggest, most capable handset ever, on paper the Z30 certainly has plenty of head-turning features such as a large 5-inch AMOLED screen, updated BlackBerry 10.2 software, and a high-capacity battery.
When I spotted the BlackBerry Z30 at a recent press event in New York, a BlackBerry PR reps personal unit, I couldnt resist checking it out up close. While the Z30 phone I toyed with briefly was an early model not meant for sale or even formal reviews, I was nonetheless impressed with what I saw. Frankly this is what the previous Z10 handset should have been.
Design
If you were left underwhelmed by BlackBerrys first BlackBerry 10 smartphone, the BlackBerry Z10, youre not alone. Sales figures for the device apparently have been dismal and even the more traditional physical-keyboard touting Q10 didnt exactly fly off store shelves.
With the Z30, however, BlackBerry decided to make a larger splash. Most notable is the Z30s massive footprint and gargantuan 5-inch screen to match. Sure, compared with the latest Android monster devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, Motorola Droid Maxx, not to mention the Galaxy Megas and Xperia Z Ultras of the world, the Z30 isnt that huge.
Still, when stacked up against the BlackBerry Z10 with its smaller stature, and 4.2-inch LCD screen, the Z30 represents a significant departure. Its sizable display, which uses AMOLED technology, is a first for the company and does in fact offer image quality on par with competing superphones. Its 720p HD resolution matches what the Motorola Droid Maxx offers.
I can also confirm that the Z30s display produces vivid, saturated colors and has high contrast. Viewing angles were pretty wide as well, something I look for in big-screened phones since they tend to do double duty as mobile multimedia presenters (much like tablets).
Put the Z30 next to the Z10 and theres a clear improvement in screen colours, although line it up against the full HD brigade and youll notice the clarity isnt anywhere near as strong.
Thats not to say the screen is poor though, as everything looks pretty crisp and sharp and you wont have any trouble reading text on the BlackBerry Z30. Its just not as stunning as the competition.
The screen is responsive and during our time with the Z30 we didnt experience any issues with finger-press detection, allowing us to glide through the BlackBerry 10.2 operating system.
BlackBerry Z30 review
We found the Z30 had a quite a high weight (it tips the scales at 170g), but its mix of plastic frame and glass weave rear means it doesnt look or feel as premium as the HTC One or iPhone 5S.
Some will prefer the finish over the very plastic Galaxy S4 or LG G2, and the Z30 does feel more premium than the Z10.
At 140.7 x 72 x 9.4mm the BlackBerry Z30 is relatively slender and fits pretty well in the palm. We didnt have to over-stretch our hands to fit them round the device, but those with daintier digits will still struggle with one handed use thanks to the larger screen size.
BlackBerry Z30 review
The trio of buttons on right hand side is fast becoming a BlackBerry 10 staple, with volume rocker keys sandwiching a voice command key, while on top you get a centralised power/lock button and a headphone jack.
We found all these buttons were easy to hit when holding the BlackBerry Z30 in one hand, although we did have to shuffle the handset a little then to get to bottom of screen for main swipe up gesture required for exiting any application.
On the left you get microUSB and microHDMI ports, allowing you to hook the Z30 up to your TV or computer with ease, although only the USB cable is bundled in the box.
BlackBerry Z30 review
The glass weave back, which can also be found on the rear of the QWERTY keyboard-toting BlackBerry Q10, can be removed - although we found this to be rather tricky.
We had to exert quite a lot of force to snap the rear off the Z30, and we were concerned about breaking the slender plastic cover. It was so stiff in fact we initially thought the rear couldnt be taken off at all.
The confusion was enhanced as we spotted a break in the plastic frame running round the BlackBerry Z30, which we mistook for a flap covering the microSIM and microSD slots.
Instead this piece of plastic is connected to the glass weave back and comes away from the Z30 when youve finally mustered up the strength to remove it.
The 2880mAh battery isnt removable - giving the Z30 something in common with the BlackBerry Q5 - but you can hot swap microSD cards up to 64GB in size without having to switch off the smartphone.
BlackBerry claims the battery in the Z30 will offer 25 hours of mixed usage, although its not clear exactly what it means by that, as well as 16 days of standby and 18 hours talk time.
BlackBerry Z30 review
Its unlikely well see those battery life figures when it comes to our in-depth Z30 review, but well keep you posted.
In terms of the on-screen experience the Z30 is running the latest version of BlackBerrys new operating system - BlackBerry 10.2
Version 10.2 brings a host of new features with it, and with a 1.7GHz dual-core processor and 2GB behind the scenes it runs very smoothly on the Z30.
So we prefer this phone for its good battery and also for the opreating system .
So we prefer this phone for its good battery and also for the opreating system .
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