We put head-to-head the best of Android - that's Google's Nexus 4 - and the best of BlackBerry, the BlackBerry Z10. Spec for spec, which smartphone is best?
It's been an awfully long time coming, but BlackBerry is back with its BlackBerry 10 operating system. With fears that the traditionally business-friendly mobile operating system is already too late to the smartphone party, and many of its once loyal fans having already turned their heads to Android devices such as Google's Nexus 4, BlackBerry hopes the Z10 can return it to favour. Here's how the BlackBerry Z10 and Google Nexus 4 smartphones stack up. See also Group test: What's the best smartphone?
Nexus 4 vs BlackBerry Z10: Price
It doesn't create a great first impression for the BlackBerry that the Z10 costs almost twice the price of the Nexus 4, at £534 versus £279 SIM-free (that's for the 16GB versions; the 8GB Nexus 4 costs significantly less than half the Z10's price, at £239).
Let's be honest, though, most users will be picking up a BlackBerry Z10 or Nexus 4 free with a two-year mobile contract. In this case, the best price you'll find right now (until 13 Feb) is a free BlackBerry Z10 on a two-year, £36-per-month O2 plan; alternatively, you can get a free handset with a £47 Vodafone tariff. Meanwhile, the best deal we could find that includes Google's handset free of charge is a two-year, £29-per-month Vodafone plan.
Either way, then, the BlackBerry Z10 costs significantly more than the Nexus 4, a handset subsidised by Google to encourage take up of the Android platform and content sales at Google Play. BlackBerry can afford to do no such thing; it has a lot of ground on which to catch up in the mobile market.
Nexus 4 vs BlackBerry Z10: Dimensions
There's little difference in the dimensions of the BlackBerry Z10 and Nexus 4 - at least, not anything you're likely to notice. The Z10 is ever so slightly smaller, at 130x65.6x9mm versus 133.9x68.7x9.1mm. Unsurprisingly then, the BlackBerry is also a tad lighter than the Nexus 4, with its 137.5g chassis tipping the scales a just 1.5g less than the 139g Nexus 4.
Nexus 4 vs BlackBerry Z10: Build
The Nexus 4 is a cheap smartphone, but it doesn't look it. The premium design has an attractive matrix of tiny silver dots on the rear panel, of which photos do no real justice. There's a rubbery circumference to aid grip, and this shiny black smartphone feels great in the hand. With no removable rear panel, the Nexus 4 also feels very sturdy; its build quality is nothing short of exceptional.
While the Nexus 4 is available only in black, the BlackBerry Z10 comes in black or white. It's BlackBerry's first fully touchscreen phone, with no physical keys or buttons for navigation. (If you're a fan of the traditional Qwerty keyboard, look instead to the BlackBerry Q10.) The design is clean and simple, with straight edges and rounded corners. It doesn't look too dissimilar to the iPhone 5, but it's a cheaper-looking, plastic version of that handset.
Nexus 4 vs BlackBerry Z10: Screen
BlackBerry's Z10 offers the highest pixel density we've seen in a smartphone display, and by some way. With 1280x768 pixels stretched across its 4.2in panel, it offers 356ppi. Although the Nexus 4 matches this 1280x768 resolution, its noticeably larger 4.7in panel means pixels are stretched over a greater area, resulting in a 320ppi pixel density. It's worth noting that the Nexus 4's extra screen space doesn't come at the expense of added bulk: as we mentioned earlier, there's very little difference in the sizing and weight of these two smartphones.
Both BlackBerry and Nexus use in-plane switching (IPS) panel technology, which offers vibrant colours, good contrast and excellent viewing angles. Text and images are crisp and clear.
We did notice with the Z10, however, that it's a magnet to fingerprints: there's clearly no oleophobic coating in use here.
Nexus 4 vs BlackBerry Z10: Processor & performance
Both handsets are fitted with 2GB of RAM and 1.5GHz processors, but performance isn't equal. That's a subjective comment, of course, since BlackBerry 10 isn't supported by our usual benchmarking tool, Geekbench 2, but the quad-core Nexus 4 is the fastest smartphone we've ever tested (the BlackBerry Z10, by comparison, is fitted with a dual-core chip, although BlackBerry claims that like Windows Phone 8 BlackBerry 10 requires less poke to run quickly).
In benchmarking, the Nexus 4 recorded 2,009 points in Geekbench 2, 39fps in GLBenchmark 2.5, and 1,906ms in the SunSpider Javascript test. And, in real-world use, it feels fast and incredibly slick. The Z10, meanwhile, just beat the Nexus 4 in SunSpider with 1,710ms. We noticed some lag in its drawing of animations, but it was otherwise nippy - just not as nippy as the Nexus 4.
Nexus 4 vs BlackBerry Z10: Storage
Two models of Nexus 4 are available, with either 8- or 16GB of internal storage; neither are expandable through removable memory. Although the Z10 is available with 16GB storage capacity only, it also boasts a microSDHC slot that can boost this by 64GB for a potential 80GB. It's interesting to note that while we thought Android was greedy, gobbling up around 2GB of this capacity for system files, BlackBerry 10 consumes a staggering 4GB.
There are ways around the Nexus' storage limit, too. Android actively pushes the cloud as an everyday medium for storage and streaming, with its Play Movies & TV, Books, Magazines, Music and more. But the cloud is accessible only while you're within range of a Wi-Fi hotspot or the constraints of your cellular download limit. At other times, you could consider carrying a Wi-Fi-enabled portable hard drive, such as the Kingston Wi-Drive.
Streaming is made all the more accessible in the BlackBerry Z10 with 4G LTE connectivity in the UK. However, early 4G tariffs are expensive, and available in select cities only.
Nexus 4 vs BlackBerry Z10: Cameras
Both handsets specify 8Mp stills cameras that are capable of full-HD (1080p) video, and are equipped with an LED Flash. The BlackBerry Z10 lists a slightly higher-resolution front-facing cam for video chat, at 2Mp versus the Nexus 4's 1.3Mp, although both support 720p video.
Unique to the Nexus 4, as the only Android smartphone to run version 4.2 Jelly Bean, is Photo Sphere (in addition to the panorama mode introduced by Ice Cream Sandwich). This lets you snap pictures in any direction to create a stunning panoramic effect. Google also shouts about the Nexus 4's ability to take still shots during video recording, and take advantage of continuous focus, real-time zoom and time-lapse mode, plus a Movie Studio app that lets you create your own movies and directly upload them to YouTube.
BlackBerry, meanwhile, boasts BSI for better low-light performance, a dedicated ISP with a 64MB frame buffer, a five-element f2.2 lens, continuous focus, a time-shift mode, a 5x digital zoom (3x zoom for its front cam), plus image and video stabilisation. We like the editing software built into BlackBerry 10, which allows you to make comprehensive edits to your pictures. You can crop and rotate images, adjust settings such as white balance, and add Instagram-style filters and borders.
Neither camera is the best we've seen on a smartphone (the iPhone 5 and Nokia Lumia 920 fare better in this regard), but they are perfectly acceptable for high-end smartphones.
Nexus 4 vs BlackBerry Z10: Connectivity
Connectivity-wise, the Nexus 4 and BlackBerry Z10 are similar. Both support dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Micro-USB for charging, NFC (the Nexus through Android Beam and the Z10 through BlackBerry Tag), GPS and HDMI (although the Nexus 4 has a 'Slimport' connection, and the Z10 a proper 'Micro' port). Each also has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
You'll favour the Nexus 4 if you want to take advantage of its wireless charging, while the BlackBerry Z10 supports 4G LTE and can even act as a 4G hotspot. However, 4G technology is still in its infancy in the UK, and unless it's already available in your area you may be ready for an upgrade by the time it comes around. If you can take advantage (and can afford to), do: switching to 4G is akin to switching from 3G to Wi-Fi.
NEXT PAGE: Nexus 4 vs BlackBerry Z10 software, batttery life and verdict >>
Comments
Bobbybiscuit10 said: Says the ahem blackberry fanboy
Bobbybiscuit10 said: So basically your position as I understand it is that there is no point in comparing two similair pieces of electronic hardware that are both designed to perform exactly the same functions because they cannot be compared What a complete nonsense They are both smart phones and are designed to function as communication devices The fact that they run on dissimilar software a dissimilar architecture or are designed from a completely different perspective and approach does not for one second change the fact that they do the same things IE allow one to communicate electronically with other human beings Your point of view does not hold up to logical scrutiny Im afraid and the only one who has come across as being biased or mis-informed is you
Bobbybiscuit10 said: Jeez it seems some of the blackberry fanboys have been drinking a little too much of the French Canadian koolade of late judging by the comments section here Look blackberry are dying and they have been for the last few years They have no one to blame for this but themselves either manufacturing a series of terrible phones with an outdated and crippled OS Hence people stopped buying them preferring the many many better quality alternatives that were availableBlackberry do seem to finally have woken up to this fact however and there is no real reason why they cant make a comeback in the smartphone market but to say they have their work cut out is a massive understatement Just being blackberry isnt good enough anymore that fanatical user base has dwindled and to remain even remotely relevant they have to be among the best Therefore comparisons against the best on offer from Android and apple is an extremely helpful thing to doSeeing as the z10 is only just coming out now it doesnt take a genius to be able to work out that consumers have generally had no access to this device yet Therefore the only relevant and interesting opinion to be found on it so far is from the tech press pcadvisor for example For people to then jump down pcadvisors throat regarding their opinions on the Z10 seems to me to simply be the ramblings of obsessed fanboys After all these people have spent no time with the Z10 so how on earth can they accuse anyone of being biased etc when they have no knowledge to base that assumption on Put simply the Nexus 4 from what I have read at least is objectively a better piece of equipment If you dont like that then that is your subjective opinion you are entitled to it but that doesnt make you rightFor me then I will never buy a blackberry I never have before so I have no reason to switch now For too long they have made terrible products and relying on brand cache can only last so long Unfortunately for blackberry their chickens have come home to roost and whatever your opinion of the Z10 it may already be too little too late
george k said: thank you for your kind reply and for taking my comments into consideration I appreciate your openness to discussion and the mere fact that you listen and respond to constructive criticism is in my opinion a rare quality to be appreciatedneedless to say that I am open to receive your criticism if in any way you believe my comment being off point or insulting since this is in no way my intentionbest of regards
Matt Egan said: Thanks for your comment I never get upset but I do have to counter suggestions of bias and corruption I should delete the comments really but thats so much less fun You make some good points which well certainly take on board
george k said: Dear Matt I understand you being upset by other comments here but in my opinion where all reviews of this kind flaw is that there is no consideration in the parameter for what is it better There is no doubt the nexus 4 is a very good if not one of the best phones out there On the other hand you seem to dedicate long paragraphs of analytical data on it and just proportionally less on the Z10 in each section In some ways it creates the feeling that every time you mention something good about the Z10 you finish off with a vague or insignificant negative commentPhones are to cover needs thus the whole comparison without pointing out the usage factor for what is one better than the other is apparently missing the point of comparing all togetherPlease do read aboutTransparent Distributed Processing in the QNX OS platforms and you ll see my pointto illustrate the above you write The key difference between these two smartphones is the mobile operating system they run The Nexus 4 showcases the latest version of Androids Jelly Bean platform 42 while the BlackBerry Z10 runs BlackBerrys much-anticipated BlackBerry 10 platform This means the likes of Google Maps and Chrome youd usually expect to see on your smartphone screen have in the Z10 been replaced with BlackBerry Maps and the BlackBerry BrowserThis clearly is not an informed and unbiased account of the OS differences as any IT person could easily demonstrateOf course you are entitled to your opinion but comparing oranges to apples as both being fruit not even food is not helpful to me as a consumerI am sorry but one thing i integrity and another informed reporting I for one respect your integrity but believe your article comes short in its intended purpose of informing adequately and consider it unintentionally misleading in some aspectsbest of regards
Pcadvisor said: Well said Matt I find you reviews helpful and interesting
Matt Egan said: Who writes it is pretty clear Theres a byline and a linked therein to an author page Not sure what you mean by stock holders mouth pieces you should look up apostrophes btw If you are suggesting that we are somehow biased you are not even being original Just juvenile and plain wrong And libellous That we dont agree with you doesnt make us wrong And it certainly doesnt give you the right to question our integrity
Matt Egan said: Or perhaps you dont like what were saying so youve decided were biased Youre not even original
Anarchosis said: feels like you have wandered in to a Google sales training seminar
Matt Egan said: Grow up
DK said: What is this garbage Who writes this nonsense Does anyone know where there are legitimate tech sites and not stock holders mouth pieces
Joel said: Expert verdict like the comparative review of the iPhone v Z10 there is NO expert view page for the Nexus 4 v Blackberry Z10 - why not