BlackBerry has just released the company's latest flagship called the Priv, which is also the first handset powered by an Android OS from the Canadian OEM.
Specifically running on Android 5.1.1, Priv marks the company's interest in creating a mainstream device, which it must have done with a careful thought considering the fact that Android is the most popular OS to date.
Officially released Nov. 9, the BlackBerry Priv, which is previously known as the BlackBerry Venice, is only three months more relevant than the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and announced two months after the Google Nexus 6P. All three devices are the current flagships of their respective manufacturing companies, with each offering premium spec and high-end features.
eSPECSially For You. There's no denying that a number of users are already aware of the type of specifications they want to see in a device. Some prefer to have a big display while others are more keen on a device that would fit perfectly when held with one hand. Others like their handsets to have good camera features while there are those who want a longer battery life.
Here are some of the specs that are being offered by the current flagships from BlackBerry, Samsung and Google.
| Specifications | Priv | Galaxy Note 5 | Nexus 6p |
| Display | 5.4 inches | 5.7 inches | 5.7 inches |
| Resolution | 1,440 x 2,560 | 1,440 x 2,560 | 1,440 x 2,560 |
| Dimension (inches) | 5.79 x 3.04 x 0.37 | 6.03 x 3.0 x 0.30 | 6.27 x 3.06 x 0.29 |
| Weight | 6.77 ounces | 6.03 ounces | 6.28 ounces |
| Operating System | Android 5.1.1 | Android 5.1.1 | Android 6.0 |
| Internal Memory | 32 GB | 32/64 GB | 32/64/128 GB |
| RAM | 3 GB | 4 GB | 3 GB |
| Main Camera | 18 MP | 16 MP | 12 MP |
| Front Camera | 2 MP | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Battery | 3,410 mAh | 3,000 mAh | 3,450 mAh |
While the BlackBerry Priv has a 5.4-inch display compared to the 5.7 inches found in both the Galaxy Note 5 and the Google Nexus 6P, all of the three handsets offer a resolution of 1,440 x 2,560 pixels. The Priv also seemed to be the heaviest among the three, weighing 6.77 ounces. It's also a bit thicker, although the thickness can be attributed to the handset's slide-out design. Its 18 MP main camera is also a good convincing feature. However, selfie fans may opt for the 8 MP front camera of the Nexus 6P.
Design. BlackBerry maintains the tradition of equipping its handsets with a physical QWERTY keyboard in the BlackBerry Priv. Such feature is rarely seen on most Android handsets these days. Moreover, the keyboard is hidden and is designed to be revealed by sliding it out from the bottom part of the device. This allows the user to have more flexibility on whether to use the keyboard or touchscreen on their handset.
The Galaxy Note 5 is Samsung's smoothest and slimmest smartphone to date. It's also the only Samsung model for 2015 that features a stylus, otherwise known as the S Pen. Unlike the Priv which is only available in Black, the Galaxy Note 5 offers a wider color selection that includes silver, gold, white, pink and black.
The Google Nexus 6P has an all metal build and boasts a solid black area found on the handset's top back where the camera is placed. Although it has a 5.7-inch display, it's surprisingly easy to hold and feels comfortable when grasped. It also exudes a solid and smooth finish with edges that also provide a good grip.
Performance. As for performance, let's take a look on how the Galaxy Note 5 and the Google Nexus 6P are doing so far.
According to Michael Sawh of Trusted Reviews, "[t]he Note's Super AMOLED screen is built for watching videos and that's inevitably where the Note 5 excels. You still get those deep blacks and the bump in PPI and brightness helps things feel all that more vivid. Brightness has been cranked up notch, not that things were dull on the Note 4, but it's a notable improvement."
As for the Nexus 6P, Malarie Gokey of Digital Trends said that "Android 6.0 looks great on the new Nexus, and it runs like a dream." Gokey added "Not only does Marshmallow look good on the Nexus 6P, it also amps up the phone's performance. Apps load fast and Google Now is smarter than ever. And, because it's a Nexus, the 6P will get updates and security patches more quickly than any other Android phone on the market."
While the BlackBerry Priv is fairly new in the market, here's what Richard Goodwin of Know Your Mobile has to say: "The Priv kind of feels just like any other Android handset. It does everything they do, with access to things like Google Now and Google Play, just with a few additional extras peppered on top. Given time and providing things like the Hub and Blend (sadly, not present here) are developed further, BlackBerry could really begin to carve a niche out for itself in the Android Kingdom."
Is Priv the new Android killer? Considering that it is BlackBerry's first foray into the Android ecosystem, the company should at least be credited with its willingness to try something new. At the same time, the handset's QWERTY keyboard, a traditional feature in BlackBerry handsets, also makes it a testimony to the company's commitment in keeping something that had always been loved by their fans. It seemed like the company has a good start and given the fact that the device runs on the most popular OS, there's definitely a lot to look forward to with the BlackBerry Priv handset.
