A little under a month ago, I packed a small suitcase and made my way to Chicago. I’ve always had a soft spot for the city—its energy, towering architecture, and constant movement are invigorating. But this time, it wasn’t just the skyline that stole my heart—it was a sleek new device handed to me on June 21st: the BlackBerry Z10.
I was participating in the Verizon Savers Voices program, and the Z10 was my mystery gadget. Now that I’ve used it extensively, I can confidently say—I’m in love.
The Verizon Network
I’ve been a Verizon customer for years, and using the Z10 on their network only reaffirmed why. Verizon was the first to launch nationwide 4G LTE back in 2010, and they’ve poured over $80 billion into their infrastructure. The result? Consistent coverage for over 287 million people—and flawless service throughout my trip.
Meet the Z10
Some may say BlackBerry came to the touchscreen party a bit late, but after using the Z10, I disagree. The OS 10 is a total reboot of the old BlackBerry experience, and while it takes a moment to learn, it's incredibly powerful once you get the hang of it.
BBM Reinvented
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) has long been a favorite for fast, reliable communication. Now, it includes video calls, screen sharing (even over the network!), and private chatting without giving out your phone number—perfect for privacy-focused users.
Apps: A Work in Progress
BlackBerry World launched with 70,000 apps, and hit 120,000 in just 30 days. While that’s far from Apple or Android’s numbers, I found workarounds. Many apps can be accessed via the web browser, and shortcuts can be added to the home screen. I even sideloaded some Android apps using Google Chrome. It’s not perfect, but it works.
Camera Features
The 8MP rear camera includes Time Shift Mode, which is a dream for capturing motion (kids, pets, bonfires—you name it). Front camera is 2MP, and both photo and video resolution is solid. It even shoots in 1080p HD. One standout feature is Story Maker: it lets you combine video, images, music, and credits into a mini-movie ready for social sharing.
Specs That Matter
- 16GB internal storage (expandable via MicroSD)
- 4.2” HD touchscreen (1280x768)
- 1080p HD video recording
- BlackBerry 10 OS with gesture navigation
- 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor
- Up to 10 hours talk time; 13 days standby
The Not-So-Great Parts
It’s not all sunshine. The Hub—BlackBerry’s unified messaging center—is powerful, but takes time to master. Accidentally deleting something in the Hub means it’s gone for good. Also, the battery life doesn’t quite hit the mark with heavy use, though it comfortably lasts a full day.
Why I Came Back to BlackBerry
After years with iPhones (3 through 5), returning to BlackBerry felt like coming home. The stability, encryption, and overall performance are unmatched. The Z10 is secure enough for government use—and that speaks volumes.
Want One?
Through Verizon, the Z10 retails at $499.99, or just $99.99 with a 2-year contract. Best Buy even has it for $49.99. If you're trading in an old phone, Verizon offers great trade-in credit.
There’s also the Q10 for keyboard lovers, featuring all the power of the Z10 with physical keys.
Final word? The Z10 isn’t perfect—but it’s powerful, private, and honestly, a joy to use. Stay tuned for deeper dives into the camera, BBM, and more.
Disclosure: I participated in the Verizon Savers Voices program and received a device and service in exchange for my honest review.