The BlackBerry Passport, released in September 2014, stands out for its square design and focus on productivity. With a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display, 13 MP camera, and a 3-row QWERTY keyboard, the Passport is designed for professionals who need a secure and efficient device. It runs on BlackBerry OS 10.3, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset. Despite being discontinued, the Passport is still appreciated for its unique design, secure operating system, and robust build quality.
BlackBerry Passport Specifications
Here’s a detailed responsive table showcasing the key specifications of the BlackBerry Passport:
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 2G Bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G Bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G Bands | LTE 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 (EU) LTE 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 (NA) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE |
| Dimensions | 128 x 90.3 x 9.3 mm |
| Weight | 196 g |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Keyboard | Capacitive touch 3-row QWERTY keyboard |
| Display Type | IPS LCD, 1440 x 1440 pixels (~453 ppi density) |
| OS | BlackBerry OS 10.3, upgradable to 10.3.2 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974AA Snapdragon 801 |
| CPU | Quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400 |
| GPU | Adreno 330 |
| Internal Memory | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF, OIS, 1080p@60fps |
| Selfie Camera | 2 MP, 720p |
| Battery | Li-Ion 3450 mAh, non-removable |
| Stand-by Time | Up to 444 hours (3G) |
| Talk Time | Up to 23 hours (3G) |
| Music Play Time | Up to 84 hours |
| Colors | Black, White, Red, Black&Gold, Silver |
| Price | About 170 EUR |
BlackBerry Passport Review
Design and Build Quality
The BlackBerry Passport features a unique square design, which is both a strength and a limitation. Its wide frame (90.3 mm) allows for a larger display, making it perfect for reading documents, emails, and spreadsheets. However, the width makes it difficult to handle with one hand. The build quality is top-notch, with a Gorilla Glass 3 front, plastic back, and an aluminum frame for extra durability. At 196 grams, it feels solid in hand, and the 3-row physical QWERTY keyboard provides an exceptional typing experience for those who need to type frequently.
Display Quality
The 4.5-inch IPS LCD display has a resolution of 1440 x 1440 pixels, resulting in an impressive pixel density of ~453 ppi. The 1:1 aspect ratio makes the Passport ideal for business tasks, such as viewing emails, spreadsheets, and web content, but it may feel odd for media consumption, such as videos. The display offers vibrant colors and good contrast, and it is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, ensuring durability and resistance to scratches.
Performance and OS
Under the hood, the BlackBerry Passport is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset with a quad-core 2.26 GHz CPU and 3GB of RAM. The phone performs smoothly during multitasking and handles productivity apps with ease. The Adreno 330 GPU allows for decent gaming performance, though the phone is primarily designed for business use. Running BlackBerry OS 10.3, the Passport offers a range of productivity-focused features, such as BlackBerry Hub, which consolidates emails, messages, and social media notifications in one place.
While the BlackBerry OS ecosystem is limited in terms of apps, the Amazon Appstore offers access to Android apps, which expands its functionality.
Camera Quality
The 13 MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) is capable of capturing high-quality photos and 1080p videos at 60fps. It performs well in good lighting conditions, delivering detailed images with accurate colors. However, in low-light conditions, the performance drops, though the LED flash helps improve image quality. The 2 MP front camera is suitable for video calls and basic selfies but lacks the sharpness of modern front-facing cameras.
Battery Life
The 3450 mAh battery provides excellent battery life, offering up to 23 hours of talk time on 3G and up to 84 hours of music playback. The non-removable battery ensures that the Passport can easily last a full day of heavy usage. While it doesn’t support fast charging, the battery endurance makes it a reliable option for professionals who are constantly on the go.
Connectivity and Features
The BlackBerry Passport supports a wide range of LTE bands, making it compatible with carriers in both North America and Europe. The phone includes standard connectivity features like Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and GPS with GLONASS. The addition of FM radio with RDS is a nice touch for users who enjoy listening to local radio stations without consuming data.
The phone features stereo speakers for a better multimedia experience, and the microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort) allows for video output to external displays.
Storage and Expansion
The 32GB of internal storage should be enough for most users, but for those who require more space, the microSDXC slot supports up to 256GB of additional storage, which is sufficient for storing large amounts of media and documents.
Conclusion
The BlackBerry Passport is an unconventional yet powerful smartphone, perfect for professionals who need a device that focuses on productivity and security. Its QWERTY keyboard, BlackBerry OS, and robust design make it a great choice for business users. While it may not appeal to those looking for a media-centric device, the Passport excels in delivering an efficient work experience. Its strong battery life, solid build, and unique form factor make it a memorable device, even after being discontinued.
Disclaimer
We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
