Review: Blackberry Priv

It is better late than never. While Nokia met a sad demise recently, another former Smartphone mogul Blackberry has returned a prodigal son to Android. Once used to sitting on the most sophisticated palms, with none other than US President Barrack Obama being its poster boy, the brand in the last few years had almost reached its end.
But just before its obituary could be written, the brand came to its sense, and bowed to Android’s supremacy, and came up with the Priv (a short for its slogan – Privilege Privacy) that ditches BlackBerry 10 OS to run Android Lollipop, and yet delivers top-notch security only to be expected from a BlackBerry.
Launched recently in this part of the world (first quarter of 2016 in the west), the phone packs a punch, with the trademark Blackberry hardened enterprise-grade software (the encryption created enough panic to lead many countries mulling to ban the brand) mated to the world’s most happening and interactive interface: Android. The end result is a Smartphone that makes a better statement than the most.
The inaugural Blackberry Android phone sporting Google’s stock Android platform, and with it access to the app-packed Play Store, is coupled with a crispy 5.4-inch QHD display, handy BB apps and the BB’s legendary keyboard.
Loaded with a Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB of internal storage and 18MP rear camera, the Priv can definitely dare to stare right into the eyes of the other mighty flagships out there. And while some may yammer about it being a bit too late (most of the competition had the specs launched in 2015), we say it is still a gem of a Smartphone.
The Priv makes of itself an exciting prospect as it brings something freshly different to the Android market. All the others literally keep beating around the bush with nothing substantial to put them apart from each other. At best one could boast of a bit higher display resolution, or a bit better camera, or a few extra widgets (useless most of them). In general they are all the same.
But the Priv offers many things different, completely absent in other devices. Being a Blackberry, the best part about is the security. With a system called DTEK, it’s meant to secure your personal data and monitor for any foul play from apps. DTEK automatically watches over your phone (in real time), but takes it a step further by notifying the user when an app requests sensitive information and providing a log of the app’s behaviour.
The security system allows customised personal data permissions, giving the users more control over what applications they can access in the phone. The system also provides a clear, concise break-down of what phone features downloaded applications want access to and why. Furthermore, the S/MIME Support allows on to digitally sign and encrypt e-mails, adding another level of security to communications. The Priv even offers media card encryption support – the feature means the phone content remains protected, in case the device gets stolen.
That said, the Priv performs outstandingly given all that power. It may not be on top of the charts in the performance categories, but it is a strong contender that won’t disappoint. The handy BlackBerry apps such as BBM, Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Tasks, make organising and performing tasks even easier.
Camera is another attraction on the Priv, especially it being a Blackberry, whose devices quite curiously posed themselves as too serious and seriously low on the entertainment part, especially the camera. That’s not the case with the Priv however.
The 18MP rear camera with Schneider-Kreuznach-certified imaging sensor on the PRIV is so far the best to be sported by a Blackberry. Images are sharp and detailed with plenty of settings and effects for augmenting shots both before and after taking the shots. The UX (User Experience design) is pretty easy to use with a slew of nice filters to lend the shots a more professional touch. Matching the best of rivals, the Priv camera also features optical image stabilisation (OIS), phase-detect auto focus and the ability to record 4K video at 30fps.
On the design front, the Priv takes you back to the early days of the Smartphones, when sliders used to mean business. Pushing the slight metal ridge at the bottom reveals the physical QWERTY keyboard, which we are sure the Priv has for no other than being a Blackberry (we are after all living in the age of touch screens virtual keyboard).
The metal rimmed glass front – raised at the top and bottom to protect the screen when it’s face-down; gives the Priv a premium touch. The back and sides of the Priv are clad in what Blackberry terms as tensile weave. Having a Kevlar like appearance, the stuff is neither metal nor glass; it rather has more of a plasticy, rubbery feel to it (nothing like the cheap plastics on the earlier Samsungs). The tensile weave material makes the phone extremely grippy. The rounded edges further make the phone to be held securely in hand.
Seemingly inspired by Samsung, the Priv also sports dual-curved sides on the screen; although not as pronounced as Samsung’s. Swiping the edge gives a sneak peek at info from BlackBerry’s Calendar, Messages, and Tasks apps. You can also set favourite contacts on to it.
All in all, the Priv, though it may not be the bestest and the mightiest Android smartie out there; it still turns out to be a great option in the slew of top-running Androids today. It is in fact the best option for those who are even one bit concerned about the safety of their content amidst all that Android fun.
More exciting prospects are going to be there soon from Blackberry, with BB CEO confirming the brand would be launching two more new Android-based Smartphones in 2016. Feels like Blackberry is soon going to be back in business, if not already.
TECH SPECS:
Blackberry Priv
Operating System
Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (Android Marshmallow update)
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (8992), Hexa-Core, 64 bit
Display
5.43-inch curved AMOLED, 2560x1440 resolution (540 ppi)
Memory
3GB low-power RAM
Storage
32GB Flash storage, MicroSD up to 2TB
Rear Camera
18MP, f/2.2, OIS, phase-detect autofocus
Front Camera
2MP, f/2.8, 1.75um pixel size
Battery
3,410 mAh, Non-removable
Charging
Quick Charge 2.0, Qi wireless
Connectivity
Wifi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, USB 2.0