BlackBerry Priv Review: Is it Still Worth it!? (7 Months Later)

How does the BlackBerry Priv hold up 7 Months Later? With all the recent updates to Android 6.0 Marshmallow has the phone improved? And is it still worth the purchase?

BlackBerry Priv Amazon Links:

-

-
-
-

Follow me on Social Media:

[brbevil]

First time Android user - converted from iPhone. I really enjoy the phone and the experience. I travel frequently and find the keyboard super useful for longer emails etc when I'm on the road and don't want to break out the laptop. Never having used Android before I wasn't sure what to expect but I have been very pleased with all the configuration options, launchers etc.. Glad I purchased and went Blackberry and Android.

[canoopsy]

Awesome video Matt! Hopefully the next few rumoured Blackberries improve a bit.

[mbirth]

That creaky back is not normal. I don't have that and I have the European model where they left out the Qi charging receiver. With the current software version I'm more than satisfied with the whole device and try typing blindly (e.g. while walking) on a software keyboard… then you'll understand the advantages of a physical keyboard. Oh, and BlackBerry managed to somehow deliver they monthly updates even 1-2 days BEFORE Google.

[Nebulasmoke]

I bought this phone inspite of this video because I find many to most reviewers are far to critical of the phones they are reviewing....when I checked it out for myself I found the build quality to be very good....no squeaks or creaks, the slider is REALLY fantastic...it's really built well and becomes a very addictive thing to open and close....there's zero heat issues since the Marshmallow update, no software issues either. I do agree it's not Blackberry's best keyboard and it is alittle cramped but after about a week you get completely used to it but one of the super cool features speaking of the keyboard IS...since the Marshmallow update not only can you use Swype on the on screen keyboard but you can also use Swype on the Physical keyboard...now how goddamn cool is that 😎. The camera is above average, great sound through the speaker as well. Honestly I love it I wish they'd make a follow up to the Priv in the slider form. So I guess what I'm saying is if you can get this phone in the $300-$400 dollar range your getting a great phone and a great experience...the slider believe it or not is a really addictive feature....so go out and try it for yourself don't go by what someone tells you....what one person might hate another will love and vice versa. So check it out yourself and make your own opinion.👍

[Johnhale]

Is the phone worth the orig 700 dollar price tag? No, it never was. is it worth 350-400 (Yes I do believe so) - At the end of the day this is an android device and it will have the same issues any other android device has. Which is quite honestly stability. the Keyboard i will agree is not their top notch design. the actual design of the phone is classy and elegant. I don't have those noises you pointed out and I have a TMO branded one.

The camera on it, is actually quite up there with the S7 and others iMHO. Ive shot 4K video with it and I've shot some amazing pictures with it. with it getting android 6.0 (It makes this phone even better)

[Matticitt]

I am a BB Priv owner. I bought it even though I don't really use the physical keyboard. I don't like Samsung though, and all other phones are just boring. This phone is interesting, it's different. I can't say I'm dissapointed. I truly enjoy BB's commitment to software improvements. Where on other phones updates may never come, here there've been 3 camera app updates for example which gradually added every feature people wanted. BB seems to be listening to customers. And BB is one of only 2 or 3 Android OEM's which release Google's monthly security updates.

I hate the performance though. Even though I'm on Marshmallow it's just laggy. Way worse than my 3yo Xperia Z for example.

[Gammaspirt]

I am a priv owner and after the marshmallow update it is perfect ...its a great phone doesn't heat up anymore which shows that blackberry pays attention to consumer reports ....its better than most phones out there its only flaw is the selfie cam, nothing else

[JayLeespeaks]

Blackberry's marketing team should be released of their duty. The Priv is an excellent phone. Their marketing team is doing a poor job of showcasing this phone to the marketing place leaving outsiders to do it of them. Yes I know, outsiders will do that anyway but the bulk of this should be coming from Blackberry.

I don't even use the physical keyboard. Why didn't this guy show the virtual keyboard features? Who cares that the back makes noise? Who's going to walk around pressing down on the back of a damn cell phone? I didn't know about the back making noise because I uses the front of the phone, not the back. I know someone is going to come for me on this but hey, I have the phone and I loves it.

[michaelpan]

I just recently bought the Priv and I am quite satisfied with it. I thought the build quality was great

[muthuselvisidhanathan]

I own a Priv and am very very happy with it. Infact I don't even use the physical keyboard, but everything about the Priv is really smooth.the camera is super cool too.

[andyhagon]

Great to have someone who knows what they're talking about review this phone 7 months down the line. I'm thinking about getting one, but I also do not expect to keep it for long. Thanks for the good work! :^)

[LaVerite]

lazy follow up review, thanks for doing it tho. Will be getting the Priv

[vikrammatthews]

I honestly liked this review better than other ones I see ...thank u very much ...you've cleared my doubts and I always liked your honest reviews

[robertsaladino]

I used one in the store last week and I was very very impressed I don't know why all the bad reviews, 3 things that I noticed up front
1) curved screen looks better the Galaxy Edge don't know why just looked more stylistic.
2) I took a photo comparison one with my Galaxy S 6 vs the Priv...the Galaxy photo had a yellowish tint, the Priv was crystal clear. it was probably the lighting but hey it still counts.
3)the back of the Priv didn't bend and felt like a boss to hold.
I was very impressed with the phone if that phone came out yesterday I would have bought one, I even forgot It even came out it's gotten no press and no marketing whatsoever. Hope for Priv 2?

[GambanJasonC]

I've had this phone for about 7 months now and it does get hot when using apps that require a lot of power. I like using a physical keyboard than the digital one, less fingerprints on the screen. For me, it does the job

[pattycarljackson]

I love this phone. I use it along side my Nexus 6 and the keyboard is great for me I hate using on screen ones. Blackberry's software is also nice and I like that they add useful features. I use it more for productivity and emailing people as well as school work and editing papers.

[rjk]

This phone has gotten better and better with each software update. Its BlackBerry features overlayed on Android give it a unique experience. Too much is made of the build quality. it is very sturdy and durable. A solid performer!

[ColinsCity]

This is such a dishonest review, for instance, BlackBerry released their first slider device in 2010&2011 the keyboard was also different because it's a slider, it can't have thicker keys. The camera on this phone looks really good so i'm guessing your eyesight must be terrible, i honestly think the camera quality is better than my iPhone 6 camera. Another thing that really annoys me about these reviews is when people keep saying 'this phone overheats' while they have 20-40 apps running in the background, yet i run Snap Chat on my iphone and the phone gets really overheated. And another thing, if you're not a physical keyboard user or lover then why did you get this phone to complain about the keyboard? I would happily trade my iPhone 6 for a Priv, i cannot use the touchscreen and it drives me insane every single day.

[UNPhantom]

I'm a Blackberry Owner: I don't see the down side of the back cover because normally I use the screen or the keyboard and I have never touch the middle of the back cover so I don't press it or get annoyed by it and I have never thought about the problem until now. Conclusion: Not a big deal at all.

However, my complaint is that I speak 2 languages and I usually text with both and now it sucks because I can't change between them with what it used to be.

I'm tired of my battery usage and this is causing me a problem in my Asus Zenfone 2, Samsung Galaxy S6, and here in My Priv. I can barely use it for 4 hours and the battery is dead. I always have to carry a power bank with me (All Android Devices).

I got used to the Physical keyboard so no complains there but I agree with how hot it can be when playing games or downloading updates for more than 30 apps at the same time.

I do love the software because they fix many things every month + their monthly security updates. but The camera app is still stupid.

I'm waiting for Marshmallow to come to BB Priv AT&T (I hate carrier phones for that stupid reason, always late on updates)

[viktornagy]

Really nice visuals, stunning clarity and I love the depth of field! What is the cam/lens combo you used?