No featured offers available
We feature offers with an Add to Cart button when an offer meets our high standards for:
- Quality Price,
- Reliable delivery option, and
- Seller who offers good customer service
- VIDEO
Image Unavailable
Color:
-
-
-
- To view this video download Flash Player
PRIV by BlackBerry Factory Unlocked Smartphone - Black (U.S. Warranty)
Brand | BlackBerry |
Model Name | Priv |
Wireless Carrier | Unlocked |
Operating System | Android |
Cellular Technology | 3G |
Memory Storage Capacity | 32 GB |
Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
Color | Black |
Screen Size | 5.43 Inches |
Wireless network technology | GSM |
About this item
- 18 MP dual-flash Schneider-Kreuznach certified camera, Hot-swappable MicroSD slot (up to 2TB)
- Headphones are no longer included with Blackberry Phones. No headphones will be included in the box.
- Powered by Android OS, with full access to over one million applications on Google Play, DTEK by BlackBerry security warning system
- Stunning 5.4-inch dual-curved Quad HD screen, Dual keyboards, slide out physical keyboard and all touch keyboard, Long lasting 3410 mAh battery
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
- TracFone Motorola Moto g Play, 32GB, Black - Prepaid Smartphone (Locked)Amazon's Choicein Cell PhonesFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26
- Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn more
PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Pre-owned Certified: Electronics products are inspected, cleaned and (if applicable) repaired to excellent functional standards. Buying Pre-owned extends a product's life, reducing e-waste and raw material extraction.
- BlackBerry Leap 16GB Factory Unlocked GSM 4G LTE Smartphone - Shadow GreyFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26Only 16 left in stock - order soon.
Compare with similar items
This Item PRIV by BlackBerry Factory Unlocked Smartphone - Black (U.S. Warranty) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | ||
Price | — | $669.95$669.95 | $649.95$649.95 | $39.50$39.50 | $176.99$176.99 | $289.99$289.99 |
Delivery | — | — | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | — | Get it Mar 25 - 27 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Battery life | 3.3 | — | — | 4.1 | 4.1 | — |
Sold By | — | The Whiz Cells 2 | The Whiz Cells 2 | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Kraymerica LLC |
display size | 5.43 inches | 4.5 inches | 4.5 inches | 6.5 inches | 6.8 inches | 4.5 inches |
memory capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB | 32 GB | 4 GB | 32 GB |
model name | Priv | KEY2 | KEY2 LE | Moto G Play | Moto G Stylus 5G | Passport |
operating system | Android | android | blackberry | Android 12.0 | Android 11.0 | BlackBerry 10.0 |
connectivity tech | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Networks + Bands 5G: 2/5/25/26/41/66/71/77/78 4G: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71 3G: 1/2/4/5/8 Bluetooth Technology Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 2.4GHz & 5GHz | Wi-Fi hotspot Location Services GPS (L1), A-GPS, LTEEP, SUPL, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou SIM Card Single SIM (1 Nano SIM + 1 microSD) | Wi-Fi |
display type | OLED | — | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD |
service provider | Verizon;Sprint | T-Mobile | T-Mobile | — | — | — |
cpu manufacturer | — | — | Qualcomm | Android 12 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G processor | — |
input interface | keyboard | — | keyboard | touch screen | touch screen | keyboard |
water resistance | water resistant | water resistant | water resistant | water repellent | water resistant | water resistant |
Product guides and documents
What's in the box
Product Description
BlackBerry Secure smartphone, powered by Android. PRIV combines everything you expect from BlackBerry, plus the full eco-system of Android and its apps. PRIV comes with added security to let you know when your data could be at risk, so you can take action to improve it.
From the manufacturer
PRIV
The power of BlackBerry is now on Android
PRIV Secure Smartphone Powered by Android combines everything you’ve come to expect from BlackBerry with the full Android app ecosystem. With one touch of the physical keyboard you’ll be hooked. It delivers amazing typing accuracy and blazing speed, and then slides easily away when you want to use the virtual keyboard. The BlackBerry Hub lets you see your email, SMS, social media, calendar and phone calls, all in one place. You get all of this, plus all the apps you’ll ever need, legendary BlackBerry security that lets you know when you could be at risk, an 18 MP dual flash Schneider-Kreuznach certified camera that lets you take pictures like a pro, and a colossal battery to power you through the day.
Specs
- Display: 5.4” OLED WQHD with dual curves 1440 x 2560 540ppi
- OS & Apps: Android 5.1 OS Google Play. Exclusive BlackBerry apps: DTEK by BlackBerry, BlackBerry Hub BlackBerry Calendar
- Battery: 3410 mAh
- Camera: Rear - 18 MP, With Dual Flash. Front - 2 MP with Selfie Panorama Mode
- Memory: 3 GB RAM, 32 GB Hot-swappable MicroSD slot (up to 2 TB)
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Life, Simplified.BlackBerry Hub brings all of your communications into one place so you can view and respond to all your messages in one location. Connecting to your network has never been simpler. Whether it’s social media*, email, SMS, calendar or phone calls, BlackBerry Hub allows you to see and prioritize all your messages at a glance. Previously a BlackBerry 10 exclusive, it has been proclaimed as the industry’s best communications app. Once you experience BlackBerry Hub, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. PRIV by BlackBerry comes with the best out-of-box calendar experience on Android. When it’s time to join a call, the BlackBerry Calendar will present you with a simple Join Now button that automatically dials you in. When receiving or creating meeting invites, you are presented with adjacent or conflicting appointments. In BlackBerry Hub, you can peek at your agenda with a simple swipe. And with Google Now voice commands, booking meetings has never been easier. |
Best Of Both Keyboards.PRIV by BlackBerry gives you the freedom to choose between a virtual keyboard or a physical keyboard for speed and accuracy. Snap the slider open to gain back screen space and reveal a full physical keyboard. Move your thumb across the touch sensitive keys for scrolling and fine cursor control as if it were a track pad. And, easily program the buttons to launch customizable shortcuts. PRIV by BlackBerry gives you the keys to make life more productive, in a remarkably slim design. |
Colossal Battery Life.Don’t be deceived by the sleek design of PRIV by BlackBerry. It still packs a 3410 mAh battery with enough power to withstand up to 22.5 hours of mixed use*. Using the screens elegant curved edge you can see battery charge status when your device is sleeping, for convenient access from a distance and without having to wake your display. Discover the confidence that comes with proven battery life and the freedom of being unplugged all day long. * Based on mixed usage scenario. Many factors affect battery life, including network connectivity, application usage, feature configuration and battery age. Actual results may vary. |
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Dazzling Photo Quality.The PRIV by BlackBerry camera is engineered to deliver professional looking photos with minimal effort. With an 18 MP dual-flash camera, certified by Schneider-Kreuznach, it integrates technologies commonly found in professional DSLR cameras. When taking photos is this simple and this beautiful, unlocking a passion for creativity will come naturally. The PRIV by BlackBerry camera is equipped with a range of professional settings that you can apply as you frame the scene, including live colour filters and exposure control. Plus, features like Phase Detection Auto Focus, OIS, and a dual-color flash are designed to help the camera focus instantly and accurately, deliver feedback to the photographer quickly, and capture blur-free, realistic looking photos, even in low light. |
Tough and Beautiful Screen.The PRIV by BlackBerry has a stunning 5.4 inch immersive dual-curve display, protected by the rigorously drop tested Corning Gorilla Glass 4. At a resolution of 2560x1440, it sports an incredible pixel density of 540 PPI – that’s 4x the amount of pixels of a standard HDTV. And because the display is OLED, it delivers richer colors and deeper black levels with less power consumption, so you can revel in its beauty for even longer. |
Expandable Memory.PRIV by BlackBerry offers a micro SD card slot to expand the smartphone’s storage. With support for micro SD cards up to 2 TB, the PRIV by BlackBerry gives you the flexibility to add affordable and hot-swappable memory to download, install, capture and share as your needs evolve. |
Take Control Of Your Privacy.
In this world of interconnected apps and networks, controlling what is shared and with whom it’s shared with can be a challenge. DTEK by BlackBerry for Android lets you know when your privacy could be at risk so you can take action to improve it. Know at a glance the overall security rating for your device, as well as for specific security features. Monitor and control application access to your microphone, camera, location and personal information. Take control and be confident knowing your personal data is being kept private.
At BlackBerry we are passionate about raising the bar for security and privacy. But we know that you are best served by security enhancements when they don’t impede on your experience. So even though you can’t see it, know that extra precautions are taken at both the hardware and software level to protect PRIV by BlackBerry from malicious tampering.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
What is an unlocked phone?An unlocked phone is a device that is not bound to any carrier or plan. It allows you to choose your phone first and your carrier second. Upon selecting a plan, simply insert the carrier's SIM card into the phone and you're ready to go. If you decide you want to change carriers down the road or want to take an international trip, it's as simple as replacing your existing SIM card with a new SIM and activating your new plan. |
What are the benefits of an unlocked phone?Freedom: Choose the carrier with the best service or price. If you find a better deal later, you have the ability to change to a different carrier. Travel: Take your phone internationally and use the carrier of your choice. It's as easy as inserting an active SIM card. Selection: Choose the phone with the features you want, whether or not your carrier sells it, and get more service options without a contract. |
How do I set up my unlocked phone?The first thing you’ll need is a SIM card for your desired carrier. When activated, the SIM card will let your phone connect to your carrier’s network. If you decide to upgrade to a newer unlocked phone in the future, you can easily remove the SIM card from your old phone and put it in your new phone—just make sure you get the right size of SIM card (nano, micro, or standard) for your phone. If you want to use your phone while traveling internationally, you can easily buy a SIM card for a carrier that operates where you’re traveling. As long as it’s activated, you can just swap SIM cards when you arrive at your destination. |
Product information
Product Dimensions | 5.8 x 3.03 x 0.37 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 6.7 ounces |
ASIN | B0169SNI3C |
Item model number | Blackberry priv |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
OS | Android |
RAM | 32 GB |
Connectivity technologies | Wi-Fi |
Special features | bluetooth-enabled, smartphone, dual-camera, built-in-gps, touchscreen, lte |
Display resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels |
Other display features | Wireless |
Human Interface Input | Keyboard |
Other camera features | 18 MP |
Form Factor | Smartphone |
Color | Black |
Whats in the box | FREE WIFI, Charging Cable |
Department | Cell Phones & Accessories |
Manufacturer | BlackBerry |
Date First Available | October 22, 2015 |
Memory Storage Capacity | 32 GB |
Standing screen display size | 5.43 Inches |
Ram Memory Installed Size | 3 GB |
Battery Capacity | 3410 Milliamp Hours |
Weight | 0.42 Pounds |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Looking for specific info?
Videos
Videos for this product
1:03
Click to play video
What is an unlocked phone?
Amazon Wireless
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the build quality, performance, and keyboard size of the wireless accessory. For example, they mention that it's tough, works well, and has a great physical keyboard. That said, some complain about the heat and disagree on value, battery life, and speed.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the build quality of the wireless accessory. They say it's made very well, tough, and has good hardware. The screen is big, crystal clear, and sharp, and the images hold up well at 400% magnification. Customers also say the phone is impressive and brings a fresh alternative. They also mention that the call quality is smooth and the screen size and quality is very remarkable.
"...even under pixel-peeping inspection at 400% magnification the images hold up well...." Read more
"...One final point, the build quality is unsurpassed. This thing is tough; a lot tougher than it feels, which is to me, its only downside - how it..." Read more
"...But the phone is built great otherwise and there is no flex in my back-cover like some reviews units without the QI charging coils inside of the..." Read more
"...Looks goofy with keyboard slid outThe back seems thin... I don't feel like this phone would survive a fall very well...." Read more
Customers like the performance of the wireless accessory. For example, they say it works well, has a responsive screen, and an acceptable decent performance for this price range. The keyboard works well and does everything they want it to do. Customers also mention that the OS runs smoothly and is secure. Overall, most are satisfied with the performance and functionality of the product.
"This is an utterly outstanding device -- if you want an Android phone for the "ecosystem" and apps, this may be your next phone...." Read more
"...The crux of my issue is the Android interface. The phone itself is fine...." Read more
"...BB10 can run some Android apps, just not all of them and some of them run poorly. Then I found the Priv...." Read more
"...DTEK is on the phone and works nicely at telling me what apps are using my information (it’s pretty nice to have actually) But overall we have to..." Read more
Customers like the keyboard size of the wireless accessory. They say the physical keyboard is great, a welcome feature, and amazing. Some mention that the on-screen keypad comes in handy. Overall, most are satisfied with the size and functionality of the keyboard.
"...The keyboard is amazing and you don't realize how nice it is until you have the on-screen one up, it's taking up a third of your screen, you slide..." Read more
"...Fourth, the keyboards. Yes, plural. The slide-out physical keyboard is good, although the keys seem small to me...." Read more
"...am using the keyboard more and more and just love the fact you can use it to scroll, select predictive words etc.A keeper for sure...." Read more
"...GREAT Phone call quality! Clear and crisp. The slideout Physical keyboard is beautiful!..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the wireless accessory. They mention that it has an awesome camera and is well built. Some say that the battery is poor and the screen consumes too much. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"...Then I found the Priv. It's an odd but swanky phone that people notice and you'll enjoy using in public...." Read more
"...Especially for the priceOther things:Camera seems fineThe phone is very slim..." Read more
"...The camera is good, interface is smooth and lag-free. I have been less than satisfied with the battery life though, which I will detail below...." Read more
"...Good enough to snapshots around the house, sure...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the wireless accessory. Some mention it's worth the price, while others say that it'll break easily. The keyboard is not as high quality as vintage BlackBerry devices, and the back is kind of cheap.
"...This is a flagship phone and not inexpensive but the hack-hardening, keyboard and productivity apps that are proprietary to this device make it..." Read more
"...in, i was observing the build quality, and it feels like such a premium device...." Read more
"...It was way overpriced when it first came out, but the price has really come down in recent months, making the Priv a wise choice." Read more
"...in all, this phone has been what I've been looking for: a great, high-end phone that can be used for both work settings and casual, social..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the battery life of the wireless accessory. Some mention it works extraordinary well, while others say it's atrocious. They say it overheats, has fast battery drain, and uses a little battery when running apps. Some say the battery lasts only one day and requires frequent reboots.
"...The phone also has both QC 2.0 and wireless charging (wireless charge is slow, as with all such devices -- use the cable if you want fast.)..." Read more
"...occasional use, but once updated to Marshmallow, the battery life got significantly better! I could go 12 hours, and still have 50% when id get home...." Read more
"...Battery life: OK this part actually scares me. The battery life is atrocious. It's actually the main reason I considered returning the thing...." Read more
"...I live in the north so that may help. Battery life today was okay, not great but if memory serves me, Marshmallow improved battery life...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the speed of the wireless accessory. Some mention that it's fast, lag-free, and snappy. They also say that the camera is quick and clear. However, others say that it is a bit slow as compared to other Androids, the physical keyboard lags, and the apps are slow to open sometimes.
"...it's on-par with anything else in the market and the focus is phase-detect fast (nearly-instant.) OIS means stable video as well...." Read more
"...The only time it has felt slow is sometimes in hangouts the physical keyboard lagged(Fixed with DEC 1st update)..." Read more
"...This is a BlackBerry phone in name only.Second, this thing is fast! I mean blazing fast...." Read more
"...I've started to get "overheating messages" which bogs down cpu performance, and makes the phone barely usable until it cools off...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the heat of the wireless accessory. They mention that it often starts running hot, gets warm when charging, and freezes and overheats a lot. Some say that the phone keeps starting the download then pauses and says it's waiting for wifi.
"...So I ended up never using it. Also the reports about it getting hot are true. I ride a Harley Davidson and listen to music...." Read more
"...Awesome device....when it worked! Phone would freeze/lag multiple times, then eventually the physical keyboard stopped working. Fail...." Read more
"...As I type my hands are starting to get cramped up.Heat: it gets hot, doesn't bother me but some other users were griping about it...." Read more
"...Chrome Browser (not a fan of)OverpricedPhone only gets warm when charging..." Read more
Reviews with images
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Okay so I am kind-of a phone junkie… In the past 2 months I have owned an s6 edge, LG G4(H815 international version) Nexus 6p, and now currently the PRIV.
I used blackberry when the Curve 8330 was popular and loved the keyboard and from there I went to the Palm Pre and using Android phones at the same time. The Pre still has that special place in my heart(Some of you know what I mean) and I think the keyboard of the PRIV brings back some nostalgia of those times.. Now onto the phone..
REVIEW:
I have been reading about leaks/rumors about this phone for a long time and honestly I wish they would have kept the name Venice over PRIV but the name is starting to grow on me.
FEEL:
The phone feels good in the hand, not as good as the G4 with the leather back but it is very comfortable to hold. It is much faster than the s6 and the G4 in everything but benchmarks but usability is what matters here. Not some skinned up version of android that forces me to have 60 extra apps I will never use and force me to root/rom the phone to remove them.
SOFTWARE:
The stock android experience of this phone is great, I miss the 6p except for its size unfortunately it was too big for me but even if it wasn’t I think I would still be using this phone for the keyboard. But the PRIV feels nearly as fast as the 6p which has Marshmallow which is great as it’s an Snapdragon 808(PRIV) processor vs the 810 in the 6p.
All of the blackberry apps can be used or disabled if you do not like them. I gave hub a chance but can’t get used to it. I like having my emails in the Gmail app and corporate in their own section. Also since the HUB does not support hangouts to me at this moment it is not useful. If/when the do support hangouts I will give it another try.
I never had any heating issues that some have mentioned or any other software issues the phone feels plenty fast. The only time it has felt slow is sometimes in hangouts the physical keyboard lagged(Fixed with DEC 1st update)
When opening the keyboard on the launcher screens to type and activate google now the keyboard seems to choose which keypress it feels like starting at. This is remedied by tapping the google search bar before you start typing. I imagine this will be fixed on an upcoming update but it is currently the only time the phone feels slow to me.
HARDWARE:
Keyboard: The keyboard is small, I have bigger hands so this was tough to get used to and the buttons seemed very hard to press at first but after using it for 2 weeks I am just as fast if not faster than on the software keyboard and the button presses are nice and soft now as the keyboard is broken in. The keyboard is the reason I paid $700 for this phone and I think it is well worth it.
SLIDER:
Every person I have shown this phone to has NO CLUE there is a slider and thinks the phone is thin and feel great in the hand and then when they see it has a keyboard they are amazed at how well it is hidden and how smooth it is.
Processor, RAM, Screen:
808 processor octacore is more than enough for daily needs for anyone. 3GB of ram and a nice QHD screen with vibrant colors, what’s not to love?
Curved edges on the screen are a gimmick but I am a sucker for the charging icon. Keep in mind this icon is only active in a bright room. In a darker room the battery charging animation is disabled. No way to change this as of yet.
Quickcharge and QI charging work great.
Signal: The phone shows less signal bars than any other phone I have had but upon using actual dB readings the phone is receiving the same signal strength as the 6p and G4, do not remember what the S6 signal readings were.
Design: The slider works well, sometimes when sliding I hear a very faint creak noise from the back it is minimal but a little saddening. But the phone is built great otherwise and there is no flex in my back-cover like some reviews units without the QI charging coils inside of the phone.
I do wish the power button was on the right and the “convenience” button was on the left but that is being nitpicky. I use to think the convenience button was useless until I started using it to pause my music immediately when needed so it does have a positive but I feel it could be used as a dedicated camera button.
Camera:
Front facing is 2MP and is good enough for most people, yes it’s not wide angle or 13MP like the HTC eye, but it is more than good enough for use when needed.
Rear:
With the newest update processing of HDR photos is much faster and focusing seems a little quicker. Overall the quality is comparable to the 6p or the G4 in auto modes. In manual mode the G4 blows both out of the water but Blackberry is adding more features (like in the recent update) and will continue to do so. Overall I would rate it a great camera in terms of cell phones. This is not a DSLR and you should not expect that quality from any cell phone. But it takes vibrant and clear pictures that look very nice and the detail is all there as expected. I have not had a blurry picture yet.
Battery Life:
I get about the same battery life I did with the 6P. I can get a full day with 3—4 hours of screen on time easily. I am usually listening to music for 5-6 hours of my 10 hour work day also. About 30 minutes of phone calls and way too many hangouts messages. A lot of googling is also done throughout the day.
SECURITY:
Blackberry tells us a large amount of things they have done to secure the phone… We cannot verify any of this as it is closed source code. GPL requires the kernel to be released but does not require the proprietary underlying code where a large amount of hardening was done, or so they say. DTEK is on the phone and works nicely at telling me what apps are using my information (it’s pretty nice to have actually) But overall we have to take blackberry’s word that this phone is secured on hardware and software level.
On Dec 1st Blackberry pushed out the December security patch update from google so it is good they are continually releasing the monthly patches meaning the Blackberry is at least as secure as a Nexus which are the most secure in terms of android security updates and patching.
No fingerprint reader, I assume this was actually on purpose as most Corporate accounts do not even allow fingerprint unlocking, like mine, they still require pin or password unlock. The blackberry comes with picture unlock which is nice but I never use it as I use a trusted device (Sony smartwatch 3) to keep my phone unlocked when in range.
Overall I love this phone and it may force me to not change phones for a while as it will be difficult to find something else that checks as many boxes as this one does for me. I most likely missed a lot in this review so please ask questions or critique as necessary.
If you are looking at this phone for a great stock android experience but you do not think you will use the keyboard the 5X or 6P may be a better idea for the price but if you want the keyboard or the talked about security this phone is the one you will want.
I'll mention the worst aspect of the phone right up front -- the front camera ("selfie cam") is not impressive at all. It's a 2MP, and I suspect the issue there is simply space; there wasn't room for anything bigger, so it is what it is.
However, the bad news ends there. The rear camera is 18MP, and the image quality is outstanding. People claiming that it "shoots slow" probably have auto-HDR on and it's using it -- and by the way, it doesn't cheat -- it takes the full three shots before merging (most smartphones only take two.) The quality is out of this world. It's not a dSLR (I own a Canon 5d3) but even under pixel-peeping inspection at 400% magnification the images hold up well. The camera tends to overexpose highlights a bit BUT it has manual exposure bias control in the viewfinder; knock it down a stop and that goes away. Compression artifacts are well-controlled.
Compared against the Passport's main camera (which I also own) the shooter in here puts the Passport to shame. It's not a $5,000 dSLR and lens, but it didn't cost $5,000 either. Qualitatively it's on-par with anything else in the market and the focus is phase-detect fast (nearly-instant.) OIS means stable video as well. The lens is wide-angle, probably around 28mm equivalent. I intend to get some ~28-35mm equivalent shots with both the Passport and my 5d3 in the next few days and will be posted a full review over on my blog including them.
The keyboard is amazing and you don't realize how nice it is until you have the on-screen one up, it's taking up a third of your screen, you slide the screen up to expose the keyboard and suddenly you have the entire display page back. No other high-end device on the market makes this possible.
The battery is a very large 3,400maH model. Like all Android handsets you can shoot yourself in the head in terms of battery life (e.g. using an "active" wallpaper, for example) and apps can as well. But here we have a new weapon in the form of DTEK and it's a BlackBerry exclusive -- it has already caught a couple of apps that when you simply hit "HOME" keep asking for position every few minutes, which of course turns on the GPS and does horrid things to your battery. Hit the square and close 'em completely, the problem goes away and your power drain while idle, screen off, falls to a very respectable ~25-30ma. In other words, close to 100 hours of endurance on standby. Will it go through the day? Yes, for most people if you're intelligent about not running apps that blow your battery up. The phone also has both QC 2.0 and wireless charging (wireless charge is slow, as with all such devices -- use the cable if you want fast.)
The Hub is also present; it's a bit different than BB10 but the convenience of having all your emails and main social media account notifications in one place is not to be missed. And, the "spark" tells you which apps have notifications pending for them. Nice.
I set mine up against my Exchange server and had my contacts, calendar and emails on the device in minutes; syncing has been flawless.
The screen on this phone is gorgeous; you'd expect it from the specs, and it does not disappoint. It's also nicely usable in full sunlight, which many phones are not. And while it's OLED BlackBerry has managed to keep the over-saturation under control, the nemesis of color fidelity in a lot of these panels. Hats off to the folks who put the display together; they have a winner.
The slider mechanism is precise and feels awesome. For that matter so does the back cover; it's a grippy carbon-fiber like material that has been used before; I believe it's the same as the Z10 and Z30 (I own a Z10.) The phone feels great in the hand and doesn't threaten to slip out and wind up on the floor with a smashed screen. Bravo.
WiFi signal retention is excellent (better than my Passport by a wide margin) and cell service works well too. The phone is Band 12 capable if you're on T-Mobile; they're deploying a lot of it and this is one of the devices that can take full advantage of that. It has all the bands used by all the GSM carriers in the US and Canada; unfortunately it does not have CDMA so it won't work with Verizon or Sprint.
Make sure to manually update all the BlackBerry apps when you first get the phone. There are updates for all of them on Google Play but the first time they won't come down automatically because they were not loaded from there originally, being on the device native. Once you update them manually the first time they will track on their own from then on. There are serious improvements in the updated versions on the Play Store, particularly in the Hub and Camera.
For those who want an unlocked Android device BlackBerry has a winner here. This is a flagship phone and not inexpensive but the hack-hardening, keyboard and productivity apps that are proprietary to this device make it well worth consideration if you're looking for a flagship-level device.
Recommended.
Update 6/12: The black box, factory unlocked model will get Marshmallow when turned on. The orange box, AT&T model will *not*, so do check which you're buying -- Amazon itself sells the black factory unlocked model, but some vendors selling on Amazon have the AT&T unit which is functionally identical but cannot accept the factory unlocked firmware and are tied to AT&T for updates at the present time.
Top reviews from other countries
Even with my big hands, the physical keyboard is very comfortable to use. It takes a short while to get used to, but I prefer it over software keyboards now. That was the big selling point for me, the slide-out keyboard because I didn't want to compromise screen size, but still wanted the physical buttons. The display is amazing and vibrant and the battery lasts a while.
The phone's body has a nice texture for grip, so I use it without a case. I'd say this is the perfect phone to use without a case even. All in all, it's a solid phone and the slide-out keyboard makes it a unique option even today when no new slider smartphones have yet to come out.
RESEÑA A CASI UN AÑO DE SU USO:
El equipo responde muy bien, calidad de video, audio, fotos¡ si bien es cierto que la camara frontal es su punto debil, aun asi puedes tomarte selfies¡ Es cierto, el equipo con juegos o aplicaciones demandantes se calienta de manera mas que notable. En un principio lo habia comprado por su teclado fisico, sin embargo lo he usado en este año solo un 5%. Recomiendo ampliamente comprarle un protector de pantalla ya que es muy delicada¡ un telefono movil recomendable, sobre todo por que en la Ciudad de México casi nadie lo trae: Cuando mis conocidos lo ven se asombran que Blackberry tenga telefonos con Android¡¡¡
En resumen muy buen equipo, muy elegante, diferente, sistema operativo muy cercano a lo que era BlackBerry y con el plus de la libertad de aplicaciones de Android. muy recomendable compra. Muy satisfecho en relación Calidad/precio (lo pagas supera lo que veras en el equipo)