Introduction and design
Well this is a turn up for the books. After almost four years of banging the BlackBerry 10 drum it seems the Canadian firm has finally admitted defeat, launching its first Android smartphone in the BlackBerry Priv.
It’s not entirely a surprise – the Priv was rumored for months under the codename Venice, and a move to the Android platform makes sense.
BlackBerry 10 suffered from a serve lack of top flight applications and an interface which wasn’t quite as intuitive for the general public as the now familiar Android and iOS.
That’s all been addressed, with the BlackBerry Priv sporting Google’s stock Android platform and with it access to the app-packed Play Store.
Coupled with an tasty sounding display, some handy BB apps and BlackBerry’s legendary keyboard the Priv is finally letting the Canadian firm make some positive strides in the market. But is it all a little too late again from the firm which was left behind by the original smartphone revolution?
The BlackBerry Priv’s 5.4-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and 18MP rear camera means it stands up against the flagship competition of 2015 – thing is it’s arriving around six months later.
With a SIM-free cost of £559 (US$699, around AU$975) the BlackBerry Priv certainly carries a flagship price tag – the only problem is its rivals have all dropped in price since launch, and thus are cheaper.
You can pick up a brand new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, HTC One M9, LG G4, Nexus 6P or Sony Xperia Z3+ for less than the Priv – and these are some of the best phones in the world.
The BlackBerry Priv has its work cut out then, if it’s going to convince people to part with more cash and shun the established names in the Android market.
The ‘Priv’ name stands for Privacy, but on the box it also says Privilege – so things are already a little confusing. Luckily it’s not all bad news, as BlackBerry’s managed to make a surprisingly good handset.
Design
The BlackBerry Priv is a smartphone I’ve been genuinely excited to see, as it brings something different to the Android market and I was pretty content when it arrived in my hands.
It’s been years since I had a slider phone – I loved my Nokia N95 – and the satisfying sound and action as you pop open and close the BlackBerry Priv will no doubt transport you back to the early naughties when slider phones were big business.
There’s a slight metal ridge towards the bottom of the Priv, between the screen glass and front facing speaker, allowing you to get your thumb under and push the handset up to reveal the keyboard.
Push the screen two thirds of the way up the keyboard and the Priv will finish the sliding pop action for you. I found myself idly playing with the slider throughout the day – there’s something comforting about flicking the Priv open and closed.
Satisfying slide aside, the BlackBerry Priv isn’t exactly small – nor is it lightweight. At 147 x 77.2 x 9.4mm the Priv is sizable in the hand, but not completely dominating.
I was able to hold it one handed and perform basic tasks, but for intensive periods of writing you’ll want to hold on with both mitts. Especially when you consider the Priv tips the scales at 192g.
Flip the phone up to reveal the keyboard and the height grows to 184mm, which feels very top heavy when you’re tapping away on the keys – but more on that in the next section.
BlackBerry has followed in Samsung’s footsteps when it comes to the screen, as the Priv sports dual-curved sides just like the Galaxy S6 Edge and S6 Edge+. The edges aren’t quite as pronounced as Samsung’s implementation, but it still generates an eye catching effect which draws the eye in.
The glass front surrounded by the metal rim, which is raised at the top and bottom to protect it when it’s face down, makes the Priv appear suitably premium. Pick it up though and the illusion is somewhat shattered.
BlackBerry has clad the back and sides of the Priv in what it calls a tensile weave, which basically means it’s not metal or glass, but what feels like plastic.
It’s the same finish as found on the Q10 and Z30, and while it does have a nicer finish than the plastic Samsung used to insist on splashing on its flagships it’s certainly no match for the elegance of the iPhone 6S, One M9 or Galaxy S6.
The plus side here is the material is extremely grippy and the rounded edges of the BlackBerry Priv means it can be held securely in hand.
I found the plastic covering to be a little creaky in places too, and applying just a small amount of pressure on the side below the power/lock key generated a squeaking noise from the handset.
That doesn’t scream high level of craftsmanship, but my review handset was one of the very first Priv handsets off the production line so hopefully this will be addressed in later batches.
The rear of the Priv is dominated by a sizable, protruding Schneider-Kreuznach camera sensor, with a dual-led flash to its side. These, plus the iconic BlackBerry logo, are the only features on the flat rear of the handset.
On top you’ll find trays for the nanoSIM and microSD card, while on the base a centralized microUSB port resides next to a headphone jack.
All in all, the BlackBerry Priv is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to design – I love the slider action and the dual-curved display, but it’s let down by a weighty construction and creaky plastic.
Physical and digital keyboards
BlackBerry did away with its iconic physical keyboard for its first “proper” smartphones – the Z10 and Z30 – but if there’s one thing fans love it’s those uniquely angled keys beneath their fingertips.
With the Priv, Blackberry gives you the best of both worlds with the keyboard nicely tucked away behind a neat sliding mechanism – much like the BlackBerry Torch from many moons ago.
As well as double tapping the screen, and clicking the power/lock key, there is a third way to wake the display on the BlackBerry Priv – just slide up to reveal the keyboard.
From here (assuming you don’t have a screen lock) you can then use the keyboard itself to quick launch applications, or use it as a trackpad to scroll through home screens by swiping sideways over it.
Hold any keyboard button down and a pop up menu will appear (slowly) on screen prompting you to assign a quick action to the key. Actions include opening a particular app, providing a shortcut to a contact or starting a new message or email.
The Priv will suggest contacts and apps based on the letter you’re attempting to program and your usage – hold ‘C’ down at it’ll suggest apps such as Clock and Calculator and people such as Craig and Claire.
When you’re in an app you can use the trackpad features of the keyboard to scroll up and down pages – especially handy when it comes to skipping through your inbox or scrolling down a long email.
It also means you don’t have to adjust your grip as frequently to reach the touchscreen, allowing you to keep your hands around the keyboard area.
While I was able to type one handed on the BlackBerry Priv, it was a little awkward and I’d certainly recommend employing both hands – especially as the Priv becomes rather top heavy when the keyboard is revealed.
The fact you have to hold the handset so low down to hit the keys means the Priv does fell like it wants to flip out of your hands.
For those coming from fully touchscreen devices the keyboard on the Priv will likely feel outdated and clunky. The keys are small, and I continuous found myself hitting the wrong letters.
Perhaps my action isn’t the best, but on screen keyboards are so good now the physical option feels redundant. The Priv is not only easier to hold when you use the on screen board, but I also found the digital keyboard was more accurate and easier to type on.
Of course BlackBerry keyboard loyalists may well disagree – and that’s fine, I totally get that for some people physical keys are still king – but for many on screen typing is now the way to go.
BlackBerry has transitioned its touch keyboard from BB10 to Android, with next word predictions appearing above individual character keys – these can be added to your message by flicking over them, saving you from having to type out the whole thing.
A swipe down on the board will flick you to the numbers and symbols panel – which is a handy addition – although it doesn’t feel as fully formed as the likes of SwiftKey.
If you really don’t get on with BlackBerry’s board you can always download a third party offering from the Play Store. This is after all, Android.
Something else I noticed during my time with the BlackBerry Priv was the build up of dust in the ridges beside the physical keyboard. It wasn’t huge amount, but after months of use the Priv could start to look a little grubby.
Then there’s the gaping hole at the top of the handset when you’ve slide the Priv open – it’s just asking for pocket lint to build up in there.
Display and BlackBerry Apps
Display
BlackBerry has stuck with a far more traditional smartphone screen for the Priv, avoiding the awkward squares of the Classic and Passport, with a 5.4-inch QHD dual-curved display.
The gently sloping edges allow the BlackBerry Priv to sit a little more snugly in the hand, and gives the Priv an impressive look when illuminated.
With a resolution of 2560 x 1440 is matches the LG G4 and Galaxy S6, and across the 5.4-inch surface area it equates to a pin sharp 540ppi pixel density.
The AMOLED technology ensures colors are bright and vibrant, and I certainly enjoyed looking at the Priv’s screen during my review.
BlackBerry has included the ability to double tap to wake the screen, which I found was easier than hitting the power/lock key on the left of the handset. If you’re left handed the key falls nicely under thumb, but for those who frequently hold their mobile in their right hand it’s not as easy to hit.
You can also wake the screen my sliding the BlackBerry Priv up, which is what I found myself doing most of the time.
Thing is, I didn’t always require the keyboard, I was driven to sliding by force of habit and would immediately push the Priv down to continue my on screen antics keyboard-free.
Your one-stop shop
The BlackBerry Priv may run stock Android, but it still comes with some of Canadian firm’s applications.
One of the big additions here is the BlackBerry Hub which debuted on BlackBerry 10. It’s actually one of the best features from the beleaguered operating system, bringing together all your communication channels in one easy to consume application.
From text messages, BBMs and multiple email accounts, to missed calls and social updates everything is hauled into the BlackBerry Hub. You can view all your notifications in one unified inbox, or filer by account if you’re just too popular.
When viewing your inbox you can swipe a message right to left to delete it, while moving your finger in the opposite direction allows you to set up a reminder – allowing the Priv to display the message as a new alert sometime in the future.
You can select a time for the reminder, or a location, or connected device – so if you want it to buzz you as you step through your front door, or when the Priv connects to your home Wi-Fi network, you can do just that.
The Hub isn’t perfect though, as third party apps such as WhatsApp don’t feed into it, which is a little annoying. There are also separate apps for phone calls, texts and emails already installed on the Priv too, so you can ignore the hub entirely if you want.
Is anyone out there?
Another app that comes pre-installed on the BlackBerry Priv is BBM, the firm’s famed messaging application. Trouble is, BBM has dropped out of the consumer light in recent years with iMessage, WhatsApp, SnapChat and co. all but replacing it.
The result is I didn’t have one friend who had BBM installed on their iPhone, Android or BlackBerry – making the app a bit of a waste of space.
In business sectors BBM may still have a big pull, and for those who rely on it, its inclusion here will be beneficial – but for many it’s a fruitless endeavor from BlackBerry.
To make the transition easier between your old phone and the BlackBerry Priv the Content Transfer app has been included, helping you to transition your way from Android, iOS, BlackBerry or Windows Phone. It’s a handy app, but one you’ll only ever use it once or twice.
On lock down
One of the big draws of BlackBerry devices, especially for businesses, is the added security they provide. The BlackBerry Priv can be controlled by the firm’s BES back-end system, as can all Android phones, but the Priv offers something extra.
BlackBerry has hardened both its hardware and software to make it more secure, and you can control various privacy settings via a dedicated app on the Priv.
Fire up the DTEK by BlackBerry app and you’re instantly met by a visualization of your handset’s security status. The app then has a series of settings which you can enable to increase the Priv’s security level.
Basic suggestions such as adding a screen lock and enabling remote device management are joined by more granular controls for individual applications and system checks such as whether you’re using official BlackBerry hardware and software.
For those concerned about their smartphone privacy and security, DTEK is a welcome addition which is easy to use. It’s a level of security not witnessed on many Android smartphones, with the exception of devices such as Blackphone.
I especially liked the app controls which show the features each app accesses and when it accesses them. If an app keeps checking in on your microphone when you’re not using it, DTEK can flag it and you can then uninstall.
BlackBerry has also committed to monthly security updates for the Priv, ensuring the handset is protected against the latest Android vulnerabilities highlighted by Google.
All this makes the BlackBerry Priv one of the most secure Android devices on the market, which will be great news for businesses.
Interface and performance
As I’ve already highlighted in this review, one of the big draws of the BlackBerry Priv is the fact it runs Android rather than BlackBerry 10 – instantly giving the handset a much wider appeal than its predecessors.
In fact, the Priv sports the stock version of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, giving you a clean, fuss free interface.
With Android on board it means you have access to Google’s suite of applications, including the well stocked app store.
One of the biggest bugbears for consumers using BlackBerry 10 devices was the lack of certain apps on the platform. With BlackBerry moving to Android that issue has been solved.
BlackBerry has added its iconic red and white splat notification icon to the interface on the Priv, with the circular image appearing on the corner of apps to let you know a new message has arrived within it.
It’s joined by another BlackBerry stalwart, a blinking LED above the screen, which adjusts its color depending on the type of notification received.
As I’ve mentioned in the previous section, BlackBerry has pre-installed a selection of its own applications on the Priv – but it’s a small amount and they are generally quite useful.
That’s not all though, as it’s also added the Productivity Tab. This is a slender bar which resides at the edge of the screen, on the curve, giving you quick access to your calendar appointments, emails, tasks and favorite contacts, on any screen.
It’s a more advanced version of the Edge Screen on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and S6 Edge+, and you can choose whether it sits to the left or right of the display, adjust the length of the bar and tweak its transparency to your personal liking.
And if you don’t like it, you can turn it off completely. It’s worth keeping switched on though as it’s unobtrusive and while I didn’t use it a huge amount, it was handy to quickly check my emails or make a swift phone call.
Another clever feature BlackBerry has built into the Android interface on the Priv is its pop-up widgets. Instead of filling home screens with sizable blocks, you can instead slide up over an app icon to view the available widgets associated with it.
Apps with companion widgets have three horizontal dots below their icon, and sliding up (or down) brings up a window showing you the various widgets on offer. Tapping a widget gets it to pop up on screen so you can view and interact with it.
It saves you precious home screen space, and also saves you having to fully open an app if you just want to quickly check something.
Swiping up from the home button on all Android phones will launch Google Now, but BlackBerry has added a couple of extra quick links on the Priv. Swipe up and you’ll notice the Google icon is joined by shortcuts to the Blackberry Hub and Device Search.
For active users of the Hub or Device Search this is useful integration, and because it’s hidden from view for those who don’t use it, it won’t get in your way.
Performance
The performance on the BlackBerry Priv is unfortunately a little hit and miss. It comes with a Snapdragon 808 processor and 3GB of RAM, matching that of the LG G4 and Moto X Style, so it’s not exactly underpowered.
Sadly that power doesn’t always translate well on screen. Usually, Android ran smoothly when it came to skipping through home screens and firing up apps, but I did experience some noticeable lag.
I found pauses of a few seconds when exiting some apps, and holding down a key on the physical keyboard to assign it to a quick action always resulted in a few seconds of waiting before the Priv kicked into action.
Oddly though, games such as Clash of Clans and Family Guy: Quest for Stuff loaded in good time and ran smoothly on the Priv – making its performance glitches all the more confusing.
The Priv also had a habit of heating up at seemingly random times. I could be playing an intensive game and the temperature would stay relatively low, but then switching to emails it would suddenly heat up. It never got to scorching levels, but it was certainly noticeable, not to mention unexpected.
Running the Geekbench app on the BlackBerry Priv garnered an average multi-core score of 2963. That’s not the best result for a flagship smartphone, and the Priv is comfortably beaten by the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge (4774), S6 Edge+ (4949), iPhone 6S Plus (4309), HTC One M9 (3803) and Moto X Style (3557).
It’s certainly not the worst performer out there, and it can run any app you throw at it, but you’ll just have to accept that you may have to wait around at times as the Priv catches up with you.
Camera
One of BlackBerry’s core focuses for the Priv is the camera, and it’s equipped the handset with an 18MP Schneider-Kreuznach sensor on the rear.
The camera itself is a sizable presence on the back of the Priv, protruding from the tensile weave back cover and accompanied by a dual-LED flash to one side.
BlackBerry highlights the DSLR qualities of the Priv’s camera, which boasts a high frame rate and fast focus for clear, bright shots.
The Priv’s camera app is a relatively straight forward affair which a clear shutter key flanked by a camera switch key, gallery link, mode select and “live filters” to add some Intsagram glam to your shots.
At the top of the display another menu bar resides with toggles for the flash, HDR, aspect ratio, time and advanced settings menu. There’s not a huge array of options in the advanced settings menu, with toggles for picture quality, video resolution, geo-location tags and the option to save images to a microSD card populating the panel.
You do get some control over your shots though, with tap to focus present and an exposure slider at the base of the viewfinder – the latter of which is especially useful when shooting at night.
Dive into the modes and again BlackBerry has kept things to a bare minimum on the Priv, with video and panorama your only other options.
Head into video mode and you can choose from 720p, 1080p or 4K recording, allowing you to shoot satisfying footage with the Priv. It won’t be Oscar winning quality, but it won’t let you down when you play it back on your computer or TV.
Back to shooting photos, and the BlackBerry Priv performs well. I was able to get highly detailed shots close up, as well as well focused landscapes with ease.
I was impressed with its low light capabilities when I dropped the exposure at nighttime, although indoor shots with poor lighting can end up looking rather grainy.
The Priv was sluggish at times though, with a delay between hitting the shutter and snapping a photo, and then a further delay saving the image witnessed on more than one occasion.
The front facing 2MP camera is serviceable, but don’t expect anything special from it. For the odd selfie or video chat it’s fine, but it can’t hold a candle to the front facing snappers on some of the Priv’s rivals.
I was pleasantly surprised by the camera on the Priv, as historically BlackBerry has struggled to put decent cameras in its smartphones – although that’s not usually been a huge problem thanks to their business focus.
An Android device needs a strong camera though, and the Priv doesn’t disappoint. It’s not the best smartphone snapper on the market, but it’ll take great shots the majority of the time.
Camera samples
Click here for the full resolution image
Click here for the full resolution image
Click here for the full resolution image
Click here for the full resolution image
Click here for the full resolution image
Click here for the full resolution image
Click here for the full resolution image
Battery life
BlackBerry has managed to squeeze a sizable 3,410mAh non-removable battery in the Priv, which makes it one of the largest power packs in the 2015 flagship lineup.
The Canadian firm claims the BlackBerry Priv is good for 22.5 hours on a single charge with “mixed usage” – and to be fair the Priv does get close to that figure.
I found the Priv regularly managed to see out a full day (7am to 11pm) on a single charge, although when it came to plugging it in at night I did find the level tended to be in the low teens, with Android’s power saving mode switched on.
A day’s usage usually consisted of a couple hours of Spotify streaming, a handful of calls and texts, multiple emails and WhatsApp messages as well as a healthy dosage of web browsing, social media action and gaming.
This means the BlackBerry Priv pretty much matches the battery performance of its flagship rivals, with a full day now the benchmark for our top flight phones.
I ran the 90 minute HD video test on the Priv, with screen brightness on full and various accounts syncing over Wi-Fi in the background. At the end of the video the BlackBerry Priv had lost 20% of juice – a pretty respectable result.
It leaves the Priv on par with the iPhone 6S Plus (22% loss) and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ (23%), while performing better than the HTC One M9 (31%) and Moto X Style (30%).
For those planning on transitioning over from the BlackBerry Classic or BlackBerry Passport, the Priv’s battery performance is also on par, but if you’re looking to finally upgrade from an older Bold or Curve the Priv won’t last as long.
If you do starting running low the good news is the BlackBerry Priv comes with Quick Charge, allowing you to regain seven hours of usage from a half hour charge. You will need the quick charge enabled plug adapter to take advantage of this though.
The edge screen also comes in handy when you’re charging the Priv, displaying a slender battery meter with the handset’s battery percentage.
This means you can sit the Priv on your desk or bedside table and see how much juice you’ve currently got without having to illuminate the full display, saving on power consumption.
Competition
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge / S6 Edge+
One of the closest competitors to the BlackBerry Priv is the Galaxy S6 Edge (and larger S6 Edge+), which in itself is good news for the Canadian firm. It’s been years since its handset could be seriously considered worthy rivals to the Korean giant’s high-end offerings.
The Galaxy S6 Edge also has a luscious dual-curve QHD display which looks simply fabulous, but Samsung has wrapped it in a beautiful metal and glass body. The overall effect is a handset which looks like it’s travelled back from the future.
The Priv can’t match the S6 Edge in terms of premium look and feel, nor can it match the Samsung’s performance which is consistently slick. Then consider you can pick up the S6 Edge for less than the Priv SIM-free and it’s tricky to recommend BlackBerry’s latest smartphone over it.
One thing the S6 Edge doesn’t have though is a physical keyboard, and that retro-cool slider mechanism.
BlackBerry Passport
The Priv isn’t BlackBerry’s only smartphone, in fact there are two more top level devices currently in the firm’s stable. For those looking for a big screen, but a more BlackBerry-esque experience the oddly proportioned Passport could be up your street.
It’s the only square smartphone on the market, and for many it’s just too crazy, and the presence of the BlackBerry 10 OS keeps this phone out of the mainstream market.
Yet, those who love the BlackBerry keyboard do love the Passport, and the extra screen real estate is perfect for lengthy emails, packed calendars and some serious web browsing.
LG G4
A very similar sized screen (5.5 inches vs 5.4 inches), the same screen resolution, the same power and the same operating – the LG G4 and BlackBerry Priv have a number of similarities.
They even sport slightly unique designs with the G4 featuring a banana-esque curve and (if you opt for it) a leather back.
The LG G4 has witnessed one of the most impressive price drops since launch, and can now be picked up for the same price as some mid-tier handsets.
Battery life isn’t the greatest on the G4 and build – like the Priv – leaves a little to be desired. You can accept the shortcomings more though thanks to the lower price, which is what cripples the Priv a little.
BlackBerry Classic
Is the Priv the perfect smartphone for loyal BlackBerry fans? Probably not. For those who live and die by the physical keyboard the BlackBerry Classic is likely to be far more up your street.
As the name suggests the Classic takes its cues from BlackBerry handsets of old, with the iconic design, keyboard layout and square screen no doubt pleasing the BB faithful immensely.
If you’re looking for a portable email machine the Classic is still the best option out there, but for many we want our smartphones to do a lot more than just email – and it’s in these additional demands where the Classic falls down and the Priv steps up.
Verdict
The BlackBerry Priv is the mullet of the smartphone world. While it’s still business in the front, there’s now a party in the back too.
Is that a combination people actually want though? It’ll divide opinion for sure, but there’s no questioning that the Priv is the best BlackBerry in years.
We liked
The 5.4-inch QHD display on the Priv is excellent. Its subtle dual curved edges are attractive, detail is pin sharp and it allows you to actually enjoy videos and games on a BlackBerry device.
I’m also a big fan of stock Android, which BlackBerry has only altered in a couple of minor ways, while also adding a smattering of its own applications. It’s clean, clutter free and enjoyable to use.
The added security will be a big plus point for many, with the Priv able to show you how to improve the privacy of the handset – and that’s after BlackBerry has done additional work to secure both the hardware and software.
The Priv lacks the premium design to match its premium price tag, but even though the plastic is a bit creaky on the rear I’m quite taken with its stylings. It offers something a bit different, and I could play with that slider all day.
We disliked
My main disappointment with the Priv is its performance. It’s just too patchy for a truly great on screen experience, with noticeable lag in the system and within the camera app.
It doesn’t happen all the time, and for large parts of the review period the Priv ran smoothly, but there were frequent occasions where the slow down was noticeable – and that’s a real shame.
The sliding mechanism is fun to play with, while rekindling fond memories of phones gone by, the physical keyboard it hides feels outdated and clunky. The keys will be too small for many, and the advancements of touchscreen keyboards mean they are now superior to BlackBerry’s dainty keys.
Verdict
Don’t get me wrong, I really, really like the BlackBerry Priv. It’s a great high-end Android phone, especially when you consider who’s made it.
Finally we have a BlackBerry smartphone with all the apps you want, with a screen you can actually enjoy videos and games on and an interface which is far more familiar and intuitive (for the general public at least) than BlackBerry 10.
Trouble is, I wanted to love the Priv – and this is a phone BlackBerry really needs people to love if it’s ever going to get back into the consumer hardware market – but I just don’t.
The flakey performance and the absence of a properly premium design coupled with a price tag which makes it more expensive than the established Android flagship players makes the BlackBerry Priv very difficult to recommend over its closest rivals.
It’s by far the best phone BlackBerry has produced in recent years, but once again I can’t help but feel it’s just too little, too late.
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