Big screen BlackBerry Z30 means another roll of the dice

Earlier today I had a sneak preview of the BlackBerry Z30.

The BlackBerry Z30 has a large five-inch display and a more powerful battery than the earlier Z10. It comes equipped with the latest 10.2 version of BlackBerry’s phone operating system. There’s an improved antennae – which was already one of the better features of the Z10 and the sound has been tweaked to offer better audio.

BlackBerry’s new software includes a “priority hub” that learns which people and conversations are most important. It also can display previews of incoming BBM messages over any other running app. The phone also includes the Documents to Go software.

Blackberry software upgrades next month

Existing BlackBerry phone owners will be able to upgrade to the new software next month.

Physically the phone looks good. While it’s a fraction too large to control with a single hand, it’s comfortable and manageable. If the BlackBerry Z30 fails to restore the phone maker’s fortunes, nothing can.

Blackberry wasn’t able to say when the phone will be on sale in New Zealand although it is expected to be in the stores before Christmas. The company was also unable to reveal the price.

BlackBerry has been struggling to return to the smartphone business it once dominated. earlier this year it launched two phones, the Z10 and Q10 to a relatively luke-warm reception from reviewers and consumers. Large companies were keener to buy the phone because it includes software that allows them to cordon off business functions from personal use.