RIM's anticipated BlackBerry Z10 is the first device to run the new BlackBerry 10 OS. It may look like the iPhone 5, but don't be alarmed. With an emphasis on navigational gestures, an HD screen, and high-end specs, the handset is ordained to breathe new life into the struggling company. But can it rise to the challenge?
The Z10 is equipped with a 4.2-inch LCD display. Get used to it, because you'll be running all over it to navigate the phone and close apps (pictured). Its 355ppi touch screen has a 1,280x768-pixel WXGA HD resolution. Above it, you'll find the notification LED light and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.
The BlackBerry 10 OS is heavily based on gestures and apps. Though it takes some getting used to, it is easy to get the hang of things. Here, you can bring up the dialer, search tool, and camera from every screen.
The Z10 has a soft-touch finish on its back cover that makes it comfortable to hold. The tall, thin body shape makes it easy to carry in your pocket and use with just one hand.
The Z10's 8-megapixel camera can shoot 1080p HD video. Some features include a 5x digital zoom, burst mode, and TimeShift, which takes several photos quickly and arranges them in a timeline so you can choose your favorite.
The phone weighs 4.8 ounces and measures 5.1 inches tall, 2.6 inches wide, and has a 0.35-inch profile. Inside, you'll get 16GB of flash storage, 2GB RAM, and a microSD card slot that holds up to 64GB when formatted with the FAT32 file system.
The volume rocker is located on the right edge. In the center is a voice command button that also pauses music. To take a screenshot, press down both volume keys. When the camera is launched, either button works the shutter.
At the top of the handset, you'll see the sleep/power button and a 3.5mm headphone jack. To turn off the device, hold down the power button for a full 3 seconds.
According to our own Jessica Dolcourt's review, it's easy to see why the Z10 (left) looks similar to the Apple iPhone 5 at first glance. However, the former is a bit thicker than the iPhone, and it's more comfortable to hold.
Another comparison shot of the BlackBerry Z10 (left) and the iPhone 5. You can see here that the Z10 is slightly bigger, though the shape is very similar.
