BlackBerry Classic: Pros and Cons
BlackBerry announced the launch of the Classic smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 3.5 inch TFT display, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Classic comes with BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 pre-installed. This phone uses a 3.5 inch TFT display. This phone has only one rear-camera (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Let's see what makes this device stand out.
Table of Contents
- BlackBerry Classic specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the BlackBerry Classic smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.
BlackBerry Classic specifications
| Brand | BlackBerry |
|---|---|
| Name | Classic |
| Model | CLSSC |
| Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 6.24 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.16 x 2.85 x 0.4 inch |
| Colors | black, blue, bronze, cobalt blue, white |
| SIM type | Nano SIM |
The weight of the BlackBerry Classic is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960 |
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| GPU | Adreno 225 |
The BlackBerry Classic comes with BlackBerry OS 10.3.1 out of the box. This Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960 CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | TFT |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 3.5 inch |
| Resolution | 720 x 720 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
This 3.5 inch smartphone comes with a TFT display. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 2 GB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 16 GB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the Classic (16 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 2 MP |
You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Classic does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP, LE |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| NFC | yes |
| FM radio | yes |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The BlackBerry Classic supports 4G/LTE networks. The Classic supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Classic smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Classic has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
| Type | Li-Ion 2515 mAh, non-removable |
|---|
The Li-Ion 2515 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The Classic does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity |
|---|---|
| Specials | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this BlackBerry phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- microSD slot
- Corning Gorilla Glass shield
Cons
- TFT display
- limited-size screen
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.
I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.