Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Roundups

BlackBerry Priv Review Roundup

The Priv will likely be BlackBerry’s last smartphone. It is a tweaked, suped-up Android phone that just happens to have the BlackBerry name, which is now almost meaningless. The company has been trying to sway users they need a real keyboard, but world has moved on.

Blackberry Priv  Android Smartphone

Consensus

This is really the only option for those that want a Android smartphone with a physical keyboard. But it did not win over the majority of reviewers.

3.43 out of 5

Average Overall Rating

★★★★★★★★★★

3.43 out of 5 stars (6 reviews)

Critics Reviews (Around the Web)

★★★★★★★★★★

3.7 out of 5 stars
Therein lies the beginning of the true story about the Priv. This thing is chock-full of really good ideas, badly executed. Read full review →
·

★★★★★★★★★★

3.5 out of 5 stars
The Priv is a remarkable comeback for BlackBerry, and the best Android phone if you like a physical keyboard. Read full review →
·
The Priv is a good-looking Android phone with three unusual perks: Much better security than most Android phones, a glorious legacy of clever shortcuts and efficiencies, and a slide-out physical keyboard. Read full review →
·
I wouldn’t [buy it], for myself, my friends, or even my worst enemy. I suppose there is a kind of person who might want a flagship quality phone that has a keyboard, even if the keyboard isn't totally useful. Read full review →
·

★★★★★★★★★★

2.5 out of 5 stars
As it stands now, it's a good effort and with the best of intentions. But with so much room for improvement, it's a tough sell for its high price point. Read full review →
·

★★★★★★★★★★

3 out of 5 stars
The Priv feels like a first step toward a device that could bridge the work-play gap -- a promising first step, but one the company really should have taken years ago. Read full review →
·

★★★★★★★★★★

4 out of 5 stars
The BlackBerry Priv is the mullet of the smartphone world. It's still business in the front, but now there's a party in the back too. It will divide opinion, but this is the best BlackBerry in years. Read full review →
·

★★★★★★★★★★

3.85 out of 5 stars
For physical keyboard devotees, there’s not much choice in the smartphone world right now, but BlackBerry does a decent job with the Priv. The high price will deter fair-weather buyers, but if you can’t stand typing on glass, this is your only option. Read full review →
·
Blackberry PRIV
Blackberry PRIV

Pros

  • Clever software optimizations
  • Solid build quality with gorgeous display
  • Runs Android and Google Play Store!
  • Wireless charging and Android Pay capable
  • Slide-out QWERTY keyboard
  • Best phone with hardware keyboard
  • Good battery life
  • Hardened kernel and strong security features
  • Mixes the best of BlackBerry and Android
  • Good-looking device, comfortable to hold
  • Decent camera

Cons

  • Software bugs
  • Slow camera
  • Camera is noisy in low-light
  • Productivity Tab should do more
  • No backward compatibility with BB10
  • Does not actively mitigate privacy incursions
  • Performance can suffer at times, sometimes insufferably
  • Keyboard isn't great
  • Ships with Android Lollipop
  • High price
BlackBerry PRIV Android Smartphone
BlackBerry PRIV Android Smartphone

Our Final Conclusion

The Priv will likely be BlackBerry's last smartphone. It is a tweaked, suped-up Android phone that just happens to have the BlackBerry name, which is now almost meaningless. The company has been trying to sway users they need a real keyboard, but world has moved on.

BlackBerry PRIV Front Closed
BlackBerry PRIV Front Closed

Product Overview

November 3, 2015 - For those who want a physical keyboard to go with their Android phone, BlackBerry announced PRIV -- their first smartphone powered by Google's Android operating system (Android 5.1.1 Lollipop) that claims to be more secure. The BlackBerry PRIV features an elegant, slim design with both a slide-out physical keyboard and touchscreen keyboard, 5.4-inch dual-curved Corning Gorilla Glass 4 screen and powerful 18-megapixel Schneider-Kreuznach certified camera. The BlackBerry PRIV comes with 32GB storage along with micro...

Type:
Smartphones
Released:
Nov 6, 2015
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Our Reviews

ddHiFi TC100-COA USB-C to Digital Coaxial Adapter Cable

Audio Cables

Connect to some of the great DACs of the past with ddHiFi's remarkable TC100 and TC100S USB-C to Digital Coaxial Converters.

Warwick Acoustics Aperio Headphone System Warwick Acoustics Aperio Headphone System

Over-Ear Headphones

At $36,000, Warwick Acoustics APERIO delivers one of the most spectacular headphone experiences we've ever tried.

Arcam Radia A25 Integrated Amplifier with Bluetooth Arcam Radia A25 Integrated Amplifier with Bluetooth

Integrated Amps & Stereo Receivers

Does the Arcam A25 have what it takes to compete with some excellent integrated amplifiers from Rega, Cambridge Audio, and NAD? So many choices....

NAD C 316BEE V2 Stereo Integrated Amplifier NAD C 316BEE V2 Stereo Integrated Amplifier

Integrated Amps & Stereo Receivers

Depending on your budget, the $499 NAD C 316BEE V2 might be the ideal stereo integrated amplifier to build a hi-fi system around.

iFi Go Bar Dongle DAC Bottom View iFi Go Bar Dongle DAC Bottom View

DACs

Our Editor in-chief takes the iFi GO Bar Dongle DAC on the road with Grado and Meze Audio headphones. Find out what he heard.

Final UX3000 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Final UX3000 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

Reviews

The Final Audio UX3000 wireless noise cancelling headphones have raised the bar for performance at only $149.

You May Also Like

New Products

For those who want a physical keyboard to go with their Android phone, BlackBerry announced PRIV — their first smartphone powered by Google’s Android...

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers