BlackBerry Priv Edition: What You Need to Know

Late last month, the once-popular Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry finally launched. approved plans to launch an Android smartphone. It’s called BlackBerry Priv, which stands for Privacy, and here we’re going to go over a few things all potential buyers should know.

As we approach the end of 2015, we have seen smartphones from all major manufacturers. There are many excellent options from Samsung, LG, Motorola, Google, Apple and more, but now another one is coming. No one expected a premium flagship smartphone from BlackBerry, but this one what exactly is coming Available November 6 on AT&T.

Photos that had been leaked for months showed that a powerful flagship smartphone with a sliding keyboard would be coming, which would run Android and be made by BlackBerry. At first, no one believed the rumors, but it became clear as more evidence accumulated. Then on October 29, BlackBerry released an official video, and we have that and more details after the break.

The video above is BlackBerry’s official video on the new Android powered PRIV. This smartphone has a lot to offer and is targeting multiple manufacturers at once. Similar to the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+, the PRIV has a large 5.4-inch screen with dual curves on both sides of the screen, and also has what appears to be an excellent camera, a big battery, tons of security, and more. more. As comprehensive as it can be and the first real “change” for an Android smartphone.

For years people thought BlackBerry was dead, but this might be exactly what they needed to get the band back. All manufacturers these days are making bigger and bigger Android phones, adding more pixels, crazy curved screens, but that’s it. BlackBerry offers something completely different, unique, and might actually be a little impressive.

Below are a few details about the BlackBerry Priv, including a release date, specs, price, features, and more for those considering a more privacy-focused Android device.

Release date

While BlackBerry has already opened up pre-orders in the US, Canada and the UK, we didn’t have any details on when it would arrive in the United States or who would be the first to offer it. AT&T confirmed today that the BlackBerry running Android will officially hit shelves on November 6, starting at $249 with multiple different payment options. Here’s another video posted by AT&T themselves.

AT&T will offer the phone for $249 on a new 2-year contract and a range of payment options for those who want a different approach.

Buyers can also get Priv with AT&T Next for $24.67 per month for 30 months, $30.84 per month for 24 months, or $37 per month for 20 months. We haven’t heard from other US carriers yet, but we know others will offer it. For now, it looks like AT&T will have a short special event before T-Mobile and more will launch BlackBerry Priv.

Features

If buyers haven’t watched the entire video above by BlackBerry or AT&T, the Priv is actually a pretty impressive all-round flagship Android smartphone. In fact, it’s so powerful that it can give the Galaxy Note 5, iPhone 6s, Moto X and many more good value for money. That is, if customers dare to trust BlackBerry and want a physical keyboard. All information for potential buyers is here.

The Priv has a curved display similar to the last Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, which is a P-OLED display. It both has similar wireless charging standards to the new Galaxy Note 5, has a bigger battery than any other flagship Android device (other than the Nexus 6P) and looks like a pretty good camera.

An impressive looking and sounding phone. It will of course have BBM pre-installed and many other BlackBerry services, not to mention top-notch protections for business users who need privacy.

Other Carriers

The unlocked model offered by BlackBerry works with both AT&T and T-Mobile, but AT&T is the only carrier to make an official announcement so far. There doesn’t appear to be a model that will work with Verizon, Sprint, or US Cellular yet, but we expect Verizon to offer it as well, but when is a guess.

Most likely other carriers will offer Priv, but for now AT&T is the only one on board and we’ll update as soon as we know more.

BlackBerry Priv Price

The BlackBerry Priv is an impressive smartphone with a lot to offer. Its specs match or exceed the Galaxy S6 (excluding processor) or LG G4, it has a large curved screen, a beautiful design and a sliding keyboard. BlackBerry has managed to pack a lot into this smartphone, and with that said, it’s a pretty steep price point.

AT&T asks for $249 with a new 2-year contract, while BlackBerry is accepting pre-orders as we’re talking $699 or $899 for Canadians. It’s a pretty expensive smartphone, but it’s also similar to what we saw on the Galaxy S6 or Galaxy Note 5 when they were first released, two phones that can honestly be compared to the new BlackBerry running Android.

The initial price of the phone appears to be $699, but if sales aren’t as good in the first few months as the company expected, we may charge a lower price from other carriers. That is, if others make announcements to carry this unique smartphone. It’s worth noting that AT&T’s monthly payments are $40 more than the unlocked $699 price, but will be easier on user wallets versus a single price.

All those original DROID and even DROID 3 slider fans should be excited about the Priv, especially if Verizon finishes releasing this phone as well. We hear it’s coming to other carriers eventually, the question is when. Stay tuned for more details. Ready to try BlackBerry? Let us know in the comment section below.