BlackBerry launches budget smartphone Z3 for Rs 15,990 in India

After unveiling the same at the mobile world congress (MWC) 2014 earlier this year, struggling Canadian handset manufacturer BlackBerry (previously Research in Motion or RIM) has launched its Z3 smartphone in the Indian market. Targeted at the mid-price range segment of the market, it is available for purchase for Rs 15,990. Prior to India, the device was launched in the Indonesian market.

"Z3 offers consumer engaging user experience with all the features of BlackBerry 10 combined in one smartphone. It is also the first smartphone to be introduced from our strategic partnership with Foxconn and it further strengthens our commitment to enhance our devices portfolio," said Sunil Lalvani, India MD at BlackBerry.

Here is a look at the specifications of the device.

The smartphone has a 5 inch capacitive touchscreen display (540 x 960 pixels resolution) with 220 ppi pixel density and runs on the BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.2.1. It is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and has 1.5GB of RAM. The internal memory of the device is 8GB that can be further expanded up to 32GB with a microSD card.

Z3 has a 5 megapixel autofocus rear camera with LED Flash that can also record full high definition videos (1080p) at 30 frames per second and a 1.1MP front facing camera for video calling. On the connectivity front, it has Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, 3G as well as a microUSB port and microSD card slot.

The dimensions of the device are 140mm x 72.8mm x 9.3mm and its weight is 164gm. It comes with Near Field Communication (NFC), FM radio and GPS (with A-GPS support). BlackBerry has provided a 2,500 mAh battery that it claims will provide up to 15.5 hours of talk time and 384 hours of standby time. It is available in black colour.

Some of the key features of the BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.2.1 include:

BlackBerry Maps: For the first time ever the company has launched BlackBerry Maps for its users in India. This app provides 2D maps, local search as well as 3D voice guided turn-by-turn directions— similar to a GPS navigation system.

BlackBerry Priority Hub: Lets you access all your work and personal email, BBM, text messages, social media updates and notifications in one place, with the ability to 'peek' into the BlackBerry Hub from anywhere. The Hub can be customised to identify priority messages and to filter the message list by various criteria.

BBM: Apart from the latest features of the mobile social network, you also get BBM voice and video chatting with Screen Share and support for BlackBerry Natural Sound letting you hear nuances and variations in tone in a BBM Voice chat- making the conversation sound like you're in the same room.

BlackBerry Keyboard: The keyboard learns what words you use and how you use them, and then offers them up to you so you can type faster and more accurately.

Time Shift & Story Maker: Time Shift camera feature lets you capture a group shot where everyone is smiling with their eyes wide open. You can also use Story Maker to bring a collection of photos and videos together, along with music and effects, to produce an HD movie that you can instantly share on YouTube.