Display:1440 x 1440 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~453 ppi density)
Camera:13 MP, f/2.0, 30mm (standard), AF, OIS
Battery:
Released:Released 2014, September
Introduction to the BlackBerry Passport
BlackBerry, a pioneer in the smartphone industry, has always been known for its reliable and secure devices. In 2014, they released their unique device, the BlackBerry Passport. This phone was a game-changer for BlackBerry as it deviated from the traditional rectangular design and introduced a square-shaped device with a physical QWERTY keyboard. The Passport may not be the most popular device in today's market, but it still holds a special place among BlackBerry enthusiasts. Let's dive into the features and specifications of this iconic device.
Release Date and Operating System
The BlackBerry Passport was released in September 2014, a few months after its announcement in June of the same year. It came with the BlackBerry OS 10.3 out of the box, which was upgradable to 10.3.2. The operating system was known for its security features, fluid interface, and smooth performance.
Design and Dimensions
One glance at the BlackBerry Passport is enough to differentiate it from any other smartphone. Its unique square design with a 4.5-inch display and a full QWERTY keyboard make it stand out in the crowd. Despite its unconventional design, the Passport is surprisingly slim with a thickness of only 9.3mm. It weighs 196g, making it a bit heavier than the average smartphone.
The device's build consists of a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame. This combination makes the Passport sturdy and durable. It also sports a Nano-SIM slot and a capacitive touch 3-row BlackBerry keyboard for easy typing.
Display and Screen Resolution
The Passport has an IPS LCD display with a size of 4.5 inches, giving it a screen-to-body ratio of 56.5%. The square screen and 1:1 ratio make it ideal for viewing documents and browsing the web. It has a high resolution of 1440 x 1440 pixels, giving it a pixel density of approximately 453ppi. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, ensuring its durability.
Platform and Processing Power
The device runs on BlackBerry OS 10.3, which was the latest operating system at the time of its release. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset and a quad-core 2.26GHz Krait 400 CPU. It also has an Adreno 330 GPU for smooth graphics performance. The Passport comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 256GB via a dedicated microSDXC slot.
Camera and Multimedia
The main camera on the Passport is a single 13MP shooter with an f/2.0 aperture, equipped with features like autofocus, OIS, LED flash, HDR, and panorama. It can record videos at 1080p resolution and 60fps. On the front, there is a 2MP selfie camera with an f/2.8 aperture that can record videos at 720p.
The Passport also has loudspeaker capabilities, thanks to stereo speakers, making it perfect for multimedia consumption. There is also a 3.5mm jack for private listening. The device also has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GLONASS, NFC, FM radio, and support for USB 2.0 (SlimPort).
Battery and Other Features
The Passport is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 3450mAh battery that can provide a talk time of up to 23 hours on 3G. It also has features like Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and hotspot for seamless wireless connectivity.
Conclusion
The BlackBerry Passport may not have been the most conventional device, but it showcased BlackBerry's ability to think outside the box. It was a bold move that appealed to a niche market of professionals who preferred a physical keyboard for their daily tasks. Even though it has been discontinued, the Passport remains a unique device with its distinctive design and features that make it stand out in today's sea of smartphones.
