The BlackBerry Priv release date has been known to be Nov. 16. The handset was already seen on ShopBlackBerry since Wednesday and preorder will start on Oct. 23. It is priced in the US at $750 unlocked; and in Canada, as $949 or 400 on contract, reported Crackberry.
The listing not only gives the already known specs of BlackBerry Priv, such as its release date, but some additional information. The phone with the 5.4-inch screen, Snapdragon 808 chip, 3GB RAM, 3410mAh battery and 18MP and 2MP main and secondary cameras, seems to have a 2560 x 1440 at 540 dots per inch.
The camera can do 4k video at 30 frames per second, along with optical image stabilization and phase detect auto focus. BlackBerry said the battery promises 22.5 hours of usage.
The page where the Priv is gone for now. Hence, everyone has to wait as to when BlackBerry will decide to post it again, most likely on Friday.
The Android-run BlackBerry Priv is its original equipment manufacturer's first attempt to produce a handset which operating system is third party, Google's Android. Priv has BlackBerry's legacy of the hardware, its keyboard and slider keyboard; and at the same time the advantages of a high-end Android unit with a large touch screen.
It means it can access all the apps in the Android universe BB10 users do not have, said Mobile Syrup Editor-In-Chief Daniel Bader.
Priv will be appealing to those who want to use Android but hesitant because of security concern. The BlackBerry Priv is an Android phone sans the security risks because the Waterloo, Ontario-based tech firm added three layers of protection: a secure built-in bolt, an app-checker that checks if the downloaded Android apps are legit and a suite of anti-virus protects to make sure that if something is able to break through, it can be shut down and disposed immediately.
According to a report on CBC News, Bader also thinks Priv will be the company's last in-house device.
"I do think this is their final experiment. It has all the trappings of a last gasp," he said.
He reckoned BlackBerry CEO John Chen saying in November 2013 when he took control of the company that he will stop the handset business if it is not making money as he said, "If I cannot make money on handsets, I will not be in the handset business."
However, Chen later said he was willing to find a way so it will be profitable.
Bader said that selling smartphones in high volume can be very profitable and the upcoming BlackBerry Priv which release date is next month "can reboot BlackBerry's business."
