With everyone so focused on the iPhone and the Galaxy, it's hard to remember that BlackBerry phones are still a thing, with models such as the Classic, Passport and Priv. Well, BlackBerry is indeed still around and it just unveiled the DTEK50 to prove it.
Unveiled on July 26, the DTEK50 is the second BlackBerry phone that is powered by Google's Android mobile software. However, unlike the Priv, the company's first Android phone, the DTEK50 will do away with the physical keyboard the company's phones have been known for. It will instead have an on-screen one, though the feature will return on another smartphone that is "coming shortly."
The DTEK50's specs are rather standard and are exactly what you would expect from a mid-range, all-touch screen phone. It features a 5.2-inch full HD display, 3 GB RAM, support for a 2 TB memory card and a 2,610 mAh battery. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor.
Meanwhile for photographers, the phone will have a 13-megapixel auto-focus rear-facing shooter and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, which includes a flash, for taking selfies.
Though its specs may be standard, its security features are anything but. In fact, BlackBerry is touting the latest addition to its lineup as the "world's most secure smartphone," and the way it accomplishes this is all in its name.
The DTEK50 features BlackBerry's DTEK software, which provides protection from malware and other security issues that are often encountered on smartphones running Android. The DTEK app allows users to get a quick overview of security status of their device and appropriately deal with potential issues before they become an actual problem. BlackBerry says it modified Android with its own technology that was initially developed for the BB10 platform to add security.
And lastly, to top off the whole security-focused package, BlackBerry has vowed to commit to quick updates in order to deliver security patches as soon as they are released.
Interestingly, the most appealing thing about BlackBerry's latest offering is the price. One of the biggest issues with the Priv was its $700 price tag that made it more expensive than higher-profile competitors like the iPhone 6s. Learning from that mistake, BlackBerry has priced the DTEK50 at a far more budget-friendly $299.
In the meantime, the company has announced it will offer the DTEK50 through security resellers and other distributors as it aims to cater to business customers. The phone will be sold at Best Buy, B&H and Amazon, and is already up for preorder on BlackBerry's main site and will be available on Aug. 8. It is sold unlocked and will be compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile in the United States.
