Looking for the best BlackBerry phone to buy? Right now, it's the Priv, which is still the best phone with a physical keyboard.
Best overall
BlackBerry Priv
BlackBerry's first phone running on Android was a bold attempt to buck the latest smartphone trends. In a world dominated by slabs of aluminum and glass, BlackBerry went with a slider design to incorporate a physical keyboard and a soft-touch back that's great for maintaining your grip.
Internally, the BlackBerry Priv runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core 64-bit processor with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (microSD expansion available). It's got a massive 3410 mAh battery and supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 as well as Qi and Powermat wireless charging on most models.
Running on Marshmallow, BlackBerry attempted to keep a mostly stock Android experience while certainly adding their own flourishes, including BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry Hub, and something called the Productivity Tab. These are entirely optional features, but reassuring for those BlackBerry users migrating over to the world of Android for the first time. Then there's BlackBerry's focus on privacy and security. Your data is encrypted via proprietary mechanisms, and the DTEK security app adds another layer of protection to make sure your device is never compromised.
As BlackBerry's first Android flagship, the Priv was quite expensive when it first released back in November 2015. While it may have lost a bit of luster compared to 2016's flagship releases, at a lowered price point it's a great option for folks who were interested in the past but couldn't justify the full price.
Bottom line: With its physical keyboard and top-notch Blackberry security features, the Priv is a unique and powerful option in the Android marketplace.
One more thing: The Priv is available on AT&T and T-Mobile, but won't work on Sprint or Verizon networks.
Why the BlackBerry Priv is the best
Unlike any other flagship on the market.
BlackBerry went all out in their design and execution of the BlackBerry Priv. It instantly stands out from the crowd due to its amazing physical keyboard and design.
It's got enough power to handle most everything, and packs in valuable features including expandable storage via microSD, wireless charging, and some of the best security features found on an Android phone. Sure, at this point there really isn't much competition for the Priv, but it will likely take some keen innovation or
Best for less
BlackBerry DTEK50
The DTEK50 is a solid entry-level phone that provides the security associated with the BlackBerry name without distracting too much from the experience of using an Android device.
The first of BlackBerry's Android devices to be designed and built by an outside company, the DTEK50 includes decent hardware specs for its price point and a serviceable camera. Just keep in mind that this is an entry level device — more than serviceable for all your business-related needs (it's a BlackBerry, after all), but lacking on the specs needed for gaming and other resource-hogging applications.
Bottom line: The DTEK50 is a solid phone with a focus on security that will be appealing to some. And at $299, it's certainly not going to break the bank.
One more thing: The DTEK50 features a customizable Convenience Key, which can be mapped to quick launch an app with a single press and acts as a mute button when you're on call.
Conclusion
With just two BlackBerry phones currently on the market, the Priv clearly stands out as the best available so far if price is no issue. The DTEK50 remains a solid budget option for those who often do work from their phones and appreciate BlackBerry's attention to keeping your business and personal data secured.
Best overall
BlackBerry Priv
BlackBerry's first phone running on Android was a bold attempt to buck the latest smartphone trends. In a world dominated by slabs of aluminum and glass, BlackBerry went with a slider design to incorporate a physical keyboard and a soft-touch back that's great for maintaining your grip.
Internally, the BlackBerry Priv runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core 64-bit processor with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (microSD expansion available). It's got a massive 3410 mAh battery and supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 as well as Qi and Powermat wireless charging.
Running on Marshmallow, BlackBerry attempted to keep a mostly stock Android experience while certainly adding their own flourishes, including BlackBerry Messenger, BlackBerry Hub, and something called the Productivity Tab. These are entirely optional features, but will be reassuring for those BlackBerry users migrating over to the world of Android for the first time. Then there's BlackBerry's focus on privacy and security. Your data is encrypted via proprietary mechanisms, and the DTEK security app adds another layer of protection to make sure your device is never compromised.
As BlackBerry's first Android flagship, the Priv was quite expensive when it first released back in November 2015. While it may have lost a bit of luster compared to 2016's flagship releases, at a lowered price point it's a great option for folks who were interested in the past but couldn't justify the full price.
Bottom line: With its physical keyboard and top-notch Blackberry security features, the Priv is a unique and powerful option in the Android marketplace.
One more thing: The Priv is available on AT&T and T-Mobile, but won't work on Sprint or Verizon networks.
