BlackBerry Priv is one of 2015’s Most Exciting Releases

It’s official – the BlackBerry Priv finally hit major US retailers today after growing anticipation from BlackBerry fans. The first Android phone from the once neck-in-neck competitor with Apple will surely be a hit with those who love the traditional features of BlackBerry, such as a real keyboard and a robust design, but who clamour for the apps that come with Google Play from Android.

What is the Priv all about?

BlackBerry and Android finally come together in a phone with amazing specs and a slick design, bringing the best of BlackBerry’s prized features to Android and solving the company’s main problem of lack of apps and content to keep up with the industry leaders. And because it’s a BlackBerry we’re talking about, you get all the best aspects of BB10, such as BlackBerry Hub and BlackBerry Blend; and a practical pull-out QWERTY keyboard which, just like the Passport’s, makes emailing and texting quick and pleasurable.

Heavily marketed with a focus on privacy (Priv = privacy), BlackBerry has added their own security suite of apps to the device, known as BlackBerry Safeguard, which includes a lock screen and an app that assesses the relative security of the device based on a user’s settings. But the awesome Priv has so much more to offer than its security.

Design

The BlackBerry Priv boasts a sophisticated design, with a curved, 5.5-inch display and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. This is no doubt the best-looking BlackBerry so far and the keyboard is slim-line and tucks into the Priv without adding weight and bulk. Don’t be deceived by its fine appearance though; the Priv has a woven glass fiber back and is just as robust as any other handset you’ve come to expect from BlackBerry.

Specs

The BlackBerry Priv is a powerful device, in line with its high end competitors. It boasts a Snapdragon 808 64 bit Hexa-Core processor, Adreno 418 GPU and 3 GB of RAM. The BlackBerry Priv comes with 32 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded to 200 GB with a microSD card. Its 3,410 mAh battery is bigger than average, and its 18-megapixel camera is one of the most powerful available.

Cool Stuff

Its 5.43-inch plastic AMOLED display with a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution and high pixel density puts it up there with the Galaxy S6 Edge (577 ppi) and ahead of the LG G4 (538 ppi). The AMOLED screen gives the device brighter colors and allows BlackBerry to add a curve to the screen, while making it ideal for higher definition displays with more pixels, and for saving battery life. And speaking of battery, its mega 3,410 mAh battery is bigger than average, meaning that it should last for longer than a day, giving it a distinct advantage over the Apple 6S.

Operating System

The Priv uses a slightly customized version of Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) but to allow BlackBerry to make the Priv as secure as it is, the company has made some modifications to this, including a cryptographic key at the hardware level to monitor user activity. While those fans who were hoping this new launch would run on a Marshmallow OS, the good news is that an update is already planned and should be available within the next six months.

Software

BlackBerry has already begun loading the Google Play Store with a variety of apps for the BlackBerry Priv, ahead of its release, including MicrosoftexFAT, Notes by BlackBerry, BlackBerry Calendar, Contacts by BlackBerry, and many more.

Pricing and Availability

The BlackBerry Priv is out now and available to order in the US through the official BlackBerry website and other online retailers. The price sits at a rather hefty US$699 unlocked, or various contract prices from AT&T, who will be its first US carrier.

Outlook

Its high price tag may give BlackBerry a tough time persuading would-be consumers away from Apple or Android phones; at $699 it’s more expensive than the iPhone 6S, which starts at US$649. Newer competitors on the horizon, such as Chinese handset makers Huawei and Xaoimi, also look to shake up the cell phone market and it will be interesting to see if BlackBerry can claw back market share with this long-awaited phone.

However, as the first major firm to produce an Android smartphone with a keyboard, there isn’t really another phone like this on the market, and its awesome battery, powerful camera, and unrivaled BlackBerry security features put it in a class of its own. While the Priv may not put too much of a dent into Apple’s market share, BlackBerry lovers are certain to swoon at this sophisticated device.

Image credit: engadget