After years of releasing phones running on their own, exclusive BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry are moving into the Android market with plans to release the Priv, a smartphone running on the Android OS later this year. The Priv will have all the features of a standard Android smartphone but incorporates a hidden QWERTY hardware keyboard in a bid to keep the BlackBerry image. This move comes not long after BlackBerry decided to make its BBM application available to both iOS and Android users. We’ve put together a list of everything we know so far about the Priv.
Curved Display
Similar to the popular Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, the Priv will likely sport a curved display making it look sleeker and allowing users to enjoy a bigger screen size without needed to add inches to the actual handset. The screen itself is expected to be sized at around 5.4 or 5.6 inches, and will have a 1440p retina display, although specifics are yet to be confirmed.
Keyboard
Unlike other handsets, the BlackBerry Priv is reported to have a hidden, slide out keyboard – making the return of the once-popular slider phone imminent. BlackBerry have used this design before with the BlackBerry Torch back in 2010, and experienced great sales results – which is why they’ve probably decided to introduce it again with their brand new BlackBerry Android smartphone. The design feature is unusual and is likely to be welcomed by users who don’t like typing on a touch screen or want to go back to basics with a hardware keyboard. It also means that there will be more screen space when typing.
Processing Speeds and Tech Specs
The BlackBerry Priv is rumoured to be powered by a 1.8GHz 64-bit hexa-core Snapdragon 808 processor with 3GB Ram, which if this is true will put it on the same level as other high end Android smartphone devices when it comes to processing speeds. The rear camera is reported to be planned to be 18MP with a 3MP front camera, making the Priv a top contender in the Android market if these rumours are true. After all, if BlackBerry is going up against top Android phones such as the Samsung Galaxy and Sony Xperia ranges, these are the standards that it will be judged by – and they will need to be high.
Release Date
Currently, the BlackBerry Priv release date in the US is set for around November of this year, although there has not yet been confirmation on a UK release date – meaning that if you really want to get your hands on the BlackBerry Priv as soon as it comes out, you may need to wait a little longer than your friends across the pond. If you do get a BlackBerry Priv however we highly recommend getting gadget insurance – after all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What do you think of the new BlackBerry Priv? Do you think that BlackBerry are doing the right thing by moving to the Android market? Leave your response in the comments.
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