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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 →
·

★★★★★★★★★★

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 →
·

★★★★★★★★★★

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 →
·
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
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