Meet BlackBerry's new messaging master (pictures)

With a full 35-key physical keyboard, the new BlackBerry Q10 is ready for messaging action. It also runs BlackBerry's freshest OS, BB 10.1, which adds lots of keyboard tweaks and software fixes.

Shorter and more compact than today's big-screened giants, the BlackBerry Q10 is small enough to grip with one hand.

The BlackBerry Q10's keyboard is comfortable, well designed, and the largest on a BlackBerry yet.

BlackBerry says the back battery cover of the Q10 is crafted from specially treated glass fiber that's stronger than plastic. Also on back is the phone's 8MP camera and LED flash.

You can't quite call the BlackBerry Q10 thin, but it is compact. On the phone's right edge sits a thin volume rocker and play-pause button.

On the BlackBerry Q10's left side are Micro-USB and Micro-HDMI ports.

Placed on the BlackBerry Q10's bottom edge is a large speaker that lends plenty of volume to the speakerphone.

Typical of most smartphones, the BlackBerry Q10 has both a power key and 3.5mm headphone jack on its top edge.

Here's an up-close look at the BlackBerry Q10's 8MP camera and LED flash. Notice the stainless-steel stripe that runs along the back of the handset that adds an extra touch of elegance.

Running BlackBerry 10, the Q10 can operate multiple applications at once.

Sadly, the BlackBerry Q10's screen measures a small 3.1 inches, which makes viewing desktop pages an eye-straining activity.