BlackBerry Z3
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The BlackBerry Z3 is a solid phone. Comparing specifications and capabilities, it doesn't look good next to Android-based phones in its price range. On the other hand, if you value build quality, deal with hundreds of emails per day and don't have any use for multimedia features, it comes out on top. This phone delivers on the classic BlackBerry promise, finally updated for our century, for those few who still want that.”
“The BlackBerry Z3 impresses in terms of design, battery back up, and performance. However lack of dual SIM, average cameras and the absence of games especially would definitely push some potential buyers away from it.For BlackBerry loyalists, the Z3 definitely is a good choice. Even those who are looking for a good branded handset, the Z3 is an ideal choice.”
“The BlackBerry Z3 is a bit overpriced compared to Android smartphones with similar specifications in the price range. Even the BlackBerry Z10 with a better display and hardware is available. For the price, the Z3 has a solid build, comes with a decent display and offers good battery life. It can also runs most Android apps. Overall, it is a decent smartphone and is an ideal mid-range smartphone for those who are into the BlackBerry ecosystem.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
The BlackBerry Z3 is the company’s first smartphone that came from its 5-year Foxconn partnership and the third full touch BlackBerry 10 smartphone. In order to gain back market shares from Android, the Z3 offers a budget price tag, though this also means that it doesn’t have the latest and greatest hardware. At a glance, however, the phone’s design and build impressed reviewers. NDTV describes the Z3 as “ridiculously good looking” and adds that the rear textured plastic makes it pleasing to hold in-hand. Spanning the front is the 5-inch LCD display. Although it only offers a qHD resolution of 540×960 experts were satisfied with the overall sharpness and color quality although they did have issues with bright light legibility.
As an entry-level device, the Z3 internal hardware is utilitarian. It offers a scant 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 1.5GB of RAM but critics add that it still manages to offer decent performance and run multiple apps in the background. Still, they did notice some lag when swiping through the main menu and when playing some games. Included with the phone is 8GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 32GB via a microSD slot. The 2500mAh battery is non-removable and, according to reviewers’ real-time tests, averages around a full day of moderate usage.
Like the rest of the phone, the main camera for the Z3 is decent but not great. It offers a 5MP resolution and an LED flash for low-light photos. Critics note that while it takes okay pictures in good lighting, it struggles with focusing in low light situations. Fone Arena notes that while daylight and macro shots are good, “…details are missing and the colors are not vibrant.” N4bb, on the other hand, states, “I consider the Z3 to have one of the best cameras for BlackBerry 10 device.”
While the Z3 doesn’t sport the highest specs among the BlackBerry family, experts were pleasantly surprised. Crackberry describes it as “…a very well-rounded device overall” despite some issues with lag and underwhelming camera.
What people actually want to know
When was the BlackBerry Z3 released?
The BlackBerry Z3 was released on April 28, 2014.
How long does the battery last on the BlackBerry Z3?
The BlackBerry Z3 has a 2,500 mAh battery.
Does the BlackBerry Z3 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the BlackBerry Z3 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the BlackBerry Z3 have NFC?
No, the BlackBerry Z3 does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Where can I download the BlackBerry Z3 manual?
You can view and download the BlackBerry Z3 manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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Hi. my blackberry z3 wont turn on but when i plug the charger it shows on top that its charging. what can the problem be?