Blackberry Priv Review!

The Blackberry Priv is presented as a surprising combination of Blackberry’s design language with an Android experience. The reviewer notes early on that Blackberry has not released many phones recently, so this model stands out as potentially the best Blackberry device to date, though it remains mid-to-high range in a crowded Android market. The build emphasizes a vertical sliding keyboard, a grippy carbon fiber-esque chassis, and a compact footprint that feels secure in hand. While the front-facing speaker is modest in quality, the overall materials and chassis feel premium, with the keyboard mechanism described as solid and easy to operate after light practice. The software is described as close to stock Android but with Blackberry enhancements, including a Blackberry Hub and a productivity tab that aggregates notifications, calendar events, and tasks. The reviewer highlights unique productivity tricks like popup widgets and a touchpad feature that lets you navigate apps without finger contact on the screen, which is praised for keeping the display clear while typing or browsing. In terms of performance, the device handles gaming and heavy tasks well, but the 808 chipset shows some slowdowns during multitasking and web browsing, with noticeable warm temps due to the thin back cover. Battery life is deemed decent but not outstanding, and battery life could improve with software updates, including marshmallow, to optimize efficiency. The camera is recognized as an improvement over prior Blackberry efforts but still falls short of top-tier smartphone cameras, especially in low light. The overall verdict is balanced: the Priv offers a collection of clever ideas and distinctive features that can appeal to productivity-focused users, but it may not persuade everyone to switch away from more mainstream Android flagships or iPhones. The reviewer concludes that the Priv is solid and interesting, but not a definitive winner, suggesting potential buyers wait for future updates or consider it as a niche option rather than a universal recommendation.

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