Similar screen size to an iPhone 6S+ but with a sliding keyboard thereby increasing the effective screen size - i hate typing on a screen for this reason. Keyboard with big screen also broadens gaming options exponentially which has always been an issue with BB phones. Superior software (which is pretty much consensus view now). All apps that are available on Android. BB security.
Finally a BB phone that is actually better than any other phone across the board. Basically unless you don’t have a job, i don’t know how you can’t consider this phone. It will be good to touch and feel as i’m unsure how the sliding keyboard will make the phone feel in your hands with such a heavy phone but damn.
This new phone is the most promising new Blackberry in a while. However, that is not saying much considering the low bar of other recent Blackberry phones. I also suspect that the novel features of the Priv will not be as important to consumers as Blackberry hopes. The keyboard just looks awkward to use - the phone will be top heavy when it slides out, and honestly, touch screen keyboards are actually not that hard to use. Non-enterprise customers don’t care at all about the security software, and if Blackberry was not keeping enough market share from their old phones with similar security, this is not going to matter to business customers as well.
Hopefully, I am wrong and this phone becomes a great success. However, Blackberry says they will stop making phones if 2016 is unprofitable, and that is still the most likely scenario.
aside from how it “feels”, BB looks to have trumped everybody in every aspect. that said, the mobile user population is retardedly brand conscious and most Apple or Samsung weirdoes would never consider a BB, even if its better. i have a hard time understanding the average phone buyer’s thinking process as it seems to resemble a 12 yo girls’. “my friends have it so i have to have it daddy”
Are you sure being Canadian has nothing to do with defending BB?
I guarantee I can type just as fast on an iPhone or Galaxy than on a BB. With the physical keyboard being the only attraction, why would anyone buy a BB at this point?
What do you mean? What are the aspects that BB has done better than everyone at?
OS - same as other Android phones.
Camera - just normal.
Screen - high end, but not better than other high end phones.
Keyboard - yes, other phones have no keyboard, but I don’t think this will outweigh even the inconvenience of sliding the thing in and out.
Form, build quality - it’s premium for sure. However, it doesn’t seem more premium than other $700 phones. The keyboard makes it bulkier than is probably necessary. Not that I have actually held a Priv.
Security - ok sure. But you need to use the horrible Blackberry Hub. Few people probably care about the security features anyway.
It looks like a quality phone, but other manufacturers have good products too. I don’t see why this Blackberry is clearly better.
OS is Android plus key BB10 features that make BB better. most phone critics/reviewers agree.
Camera - okay fine, normal.
Screen - okay fine, as good as the rest.
Keyboard that doesn’t mean using 1/3 to 1/2 of the screen for typing. BB/Android OS allows both onscreen typing or through the keyboard so the keyboard is solely a pro. Keyboard used to be a con b/c it took up screen space, now you get the best of both worlds.
Form - who knows, but likely better than average.
Security - leagues better.
in summary, as good as the next best for all points and better in a few.
i just really hate screen typing so i’m super pumped about what seems like both an effective emailing, word processing and spreadsheet machine and a phone that can actually run all apps and has a big screen.
the only reason people moved from BB to other phones is due to screen size and lack of apps. the screen issue is now a wild positive and that lack of apps no longer exists.
i would love to see a gaming movement that uses BB’s keyboard. you could create much better games than currently exist on mobile. swipe swipe swipe. boring.
the use of a physical keyboard is not the only attraction. the existence of a keyboard now makes the effective screen size larger than all other peers. they just flipped their biggest negative into a major positive. i certainly didn’t predict it.
it’s not just about being Canadian. i live in BB town which is BB employees, 20,000 tech guys (who generally prefer BB as it is superior software), and is the insurance capital of Canada so most people still have BBs here.
biases aside, this is probably the best product BB has come out with since 2005ish? it could actually move the needle and change how people program apps, games in particular. i wouldn’t be surprised to see other companies license phone keyboards to create a similar model.