Blackberry Priv

[MRU]

Hmm I feel you may find them too small as these are the smallest keys I've seen on a BlackBerry. The newer ones anyway. Even the Q10 had bigger keys and that was one small phone.

I am finding the space bar on this one to be really troublesome so might have to exchange. It's annoying but at this point it is impacting my typing somewhat.

The rest of the phone I am absolutely loving though. Well chuffed with it now.

It's a shame its biggest selling point is not of the quality to be expected of it. I assume keyboard is much smaller than the Bold 9900 ?

I really like the typing experience on that device, it just is a very expensive device here to buy (€750) if it turns out I wouldn't end up using its most unique feature....

 

[Aneres11]

Its difficult for me to remember the 9900 to be honest but it is a very very small cramped keypad. I have very very small hands for a guy so I'm lucky, plus I spent a long time with the Q10 which was a tiny phone.

But yeah, don't expect the standard BlackBerry keypad here. They're normally fantastic but on this device it isn't. It still works, and I am very quick on it and much prefer it to VKB, but I HATE VKB so this phone is pretty much great for me. It has the best of both. BlackBerry hardware and Android which I've grown to really enjoy.

I'd be very surprised if Android die hards who have enjoyed previous devices like the 6P for instance, will come to the Priv and think that it is for them. But I'd take this over a 6P or any other Android device every day of the week.

It's a shame its biggest selling point is not of the quality to be expected of it. I assume keyboard is much smaller than the Bold 9900 ?

I really like the typing experience on that device, it just is a very expensive device here to buy (€750) if it turns out I wouldn't end up using its most unique feature....

 

[2298754]

How are everyone's Privs holding up after a few months?

I'm looking to make the switch when the next-gen Android BB comes out

 

[A.Goldberg]

PRIV - COME TO VERIZON ALREADY.

The phone will be 6 months old. I heard they're aiming for March on VZW?

 

[2298754]

PRIV - COME TO VERIZON ALREADY.

The phone will be 6 months old. I heard they're aiming for March on VZW?

http://crackberry.com/blackberry-priv-launching-verizon-end-march

 

[Aneres11]

How are everyone's Privs holding up after a few months?

I'm looking to make the switch when the next-gen Android BB comes out

Well, I've only had it just under a week ha, but so far so not so good.
The space bar is an issue on mine and the slide up mechanism (out of the box) was stiff and not very fluid.
I can live with the slider as it doesn't make a difference to me how sprightly it is, but the space bar is crippling my experience.

I called the company I got it from last week and they said I'd have to send my device back to them before they issued me a replacement, which seems kinda backwards, and put me off doing so at first.
Now though, I'm going to just bite the bullet and do it as it's a little frustrating and I need to do it now as will need my phone next week for Google maps / travel purposes and have no spare phone.

The actual phone itself continues to run hot randomly. Sometimes I will use it solidly for 15-20 minutes doing various things and get no heat at all, other times I'll just boot Chrome up to browse a site and it'll be very hot!
Apparently though, they're hoping that with Marshmallow this will be ironed out.

The rest of the phone continues to be amazing for me though and I absolutely love it.
It's a definite keeper. Lets just hope this new model (when I organise the exchange) has none of the current build issues I'm experiencing, and none of the previous ones I faced! Seems unlikely but I'll keep fingers crossed!

 

[jamezr]

Checked out the Priv last night at the local TMO store. It really seems to be a nice device. The slider action for the keyboard was smooth. It felt fluid with precision. No wobble. The build and fit and finish is very nice.
But for me the keys are just way too close together. It reminded me of my old BB 9700 just way to cramped. Nice phone.

 

[Aneres11]

Glad you liked the look you had of it.
I just showed it off to my mate who has a Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.
He was very impressed with the physical keypad.

My Priv has just been collected by the delivery driver to go back.
New one being sent out for delivery on Friday so a couple of days ahead with an iPhone 4.

The keypad was getting to me as well as the lack of fluid snappy slider.
I decided to return as I just think I shouldn't have to compromise with a device of this amount.
It should be perfect.

I will update again on Friday to say if this one has any problems - hoping not but it seems like a rarity to get a Priv with absolutely no issues at all.

I already miss it though! I love love love the phone.

 

[Aneres11]

Hey y'all. So my replacement Priv turned up today...

Aaaaand I've already requested for a return and it is being picked up on Monday.

So so annoyed.

So this one has an absolutely perfect keypad. No dead spots, absolutely perfect keys - the best out of every Priv I've had so far.
So that makes me more annoyed.

This one, still has a stiff slider. But that doesn't bother me. What boxers me the most now is that this model seemingly has build issues and when I tap the buttons at the bottom of the screen (circle, square and triangle) the screen has a wobble. It's like it isn't built properly or something. It does it when the screen is closed over the keypad too.
It is driving me absolutely insane.

Elsewhere the back plate (like my previous model) feels completely fine it's just this terrible clicks screen.
I'm really annoyed because like I say, keypad is absolutely spot on but I can't put up with poor build and a wobbly screen.

Ah well. Onto Priv number 5 then. I refuse to give up on this phone though. It's too good a device for me. I know most people would be moving onto something else now, but there's literally nothing else I want.

 

[MRU]

That's really annoying and hope not indicative of the priv in general fingers crossed your next is perfect.

 

[Aneres11]

That's really annoying and hope not indicative of the priv in general fingers crossed your next is perfect.

Unfortunately, this is the Priv in general.
I've been on Crackberry forums a while now and have been in and out of the Priv forum daily since way before release, and these issues are all too common.

From creaky, hollow back plates to clicky screens, to wobbly screens to very poor battery life to boiling hot devices, the Priv has some major issues.

Quality control is not very good on this phone at all and it's pretty silly to me when it's a device of this form factor. Surely, BlackBerry would be putting more into extensive testing knowing that they're releasing something that has many more moving parts than your average phone.

Anyway. It's the reason Im so apprehensive about exchanging again. I could just keep getting units with issues. I finally get the dream keypad (it really is just incredible) and I have to deal with a bloody dodgy wobbly screen that seemingly doesn't sit in place right.

What's next? Dread to think. Please please let the next one be perfect!

 

[MRU]

You persuaded me to chance it ordered from Amazon.

 

[Aneres11]

Oooooh nice! Interested to know your thoughts, but would honestly be surprised if you kept hold of it seeing as you own other devices that probably do a number of things better than the Priv. Including build quality!

It's perfect for me for the keypad, hatred of virtual keyboards and my small hands haha but it's definitely not a device for everyone. I am a BB die hard though.

Regardless, I'm really pleased you've gone for it and can't wait to hear your thoughts!

 

[Tsepz]

Unfortunately, this is the Priv in general.
I've been on Crackberry forums a while now and have been in and out of the Priv forum daily since way before release, and these issues are all too common.

From creaky, hollow back plates to clicky screens, to wobbly screens to very poor battery life to boiling hot devices, the Priv has some major issues.

Quality control is not very good on this phone at all and it's pretty silly to me when it's a device of this form factor. Surely, BlackBerry would be putting more into extensive testing knowing that they're releasing something that has many more moving parts than your average phone.

Anyway. It's the reason Im so apprehensive about exchanging again. I could just keep getting units with issues. I finally get the dream keypad (it really is just incredible) and I have to deal with a bloody dodgy wobbly screen that seemingly doesn't sit in place right.

What's next? Dread to think. Please please let the next one be perfect!

I've also been in CB keeping up with the Priv posts, and I am disappointed, to the point where I am losing interest.

You're strong for going through 5 replacements, I would have jumped ship after the 2nd replacement without a doubt.

Come to think of it, Vertical Slider phones almost always had the issues the Priv has, except e.g. the Palm Pre, but others e.g. Nokia N95, Nokia N81, Nokia N85, Nokia N96, SE C905 Cyber-shot, Samsung Innov8 etc... Had similar issues, either a wobbly top half, a keyboard that was dead at areas, tight slider and finally almost every slider gets to the point where the flex cable dies. Explains why so many OEMs were happy to dump slider designs.

 

[MRU]

Oooooh nice! Interested to know your thoughts, but would honestly be surprised if you kept hold of it seeing as you own other devices that probably do a number of things better than the Priv. Including build quality!

It's perfect for me for the keypad, hatred of virtual keyboards and my small hands haha but it's definitely not a device for everyone. I am a BB die hard though.

Regardless, I'm really pleased you've gone for it and can't wait to hear your thoughts!

To be honest it's really just to quench my curiosity. I'm not new to blackberry have a torch and bold 9900 and then a Z10 previously.

I'll give myself a month with it and see if it's a keeper or a phone I'll sell on ...

I bought the blackberry leather smart flip case too.

 

[Aneres11]

To be honest it's really just to quench my curiosity. I'm not new to blackberry have a torch and bold 9900 and then a Z10 previously.

I'll give myself a month with it and see if it's a keeper or a phone I'll sell on ...

I bought the blackberry leather smart flip case too.

Well, if you have the money to give it a whirl for a bit and the flexibility to sell it on then I say go for it. I'd be doing that all day long haha.

The flip case is not for me. It's a bulkier phone than the competition anyway (due to its form factor) so I'd hate to add even more. Just personal preference though.

You won't have any problems settling in with it, due to it being Android. The keypad will take some getting used to. I mean, real getting used to. But for me, a physical keypad blows any virtual keypad away every single day of the week.
You will love the touch features of the keyboard. If you don't like that then you know the phone isn't for you

You will have to let me know your build date (it's on the side of the box) and what your build quality is like.
Watch you get a perfect one straight away!
Fingers crossed you do

Priv 5 is apparently being delivered tomorrow. It was despatched yesterday (Priv 4 only got picked up yesterday morning!) but it wasn't dispatched until after 5, so should be here tomorrow.
I'm off this week though, so I'll be in to take delivery and celebrate / cry dependant on what comes out of the box haha.

I literally am done with this iPhone 4. It is dreadfully slow - even checking Facebook is a chore.
To say I'm missing my Priv is an understatement!

 

[Aneres11]

Priv 5 has jus arrived.

Imagine my horror when on checking the side of the box for the build date, I see 3rd November 2015. Launch models.

The last 2 were December 10th, so after the original batches and from my experience, when Blackberry fixed the thin, flimsy back plates that plagued virtually all of the original batch models.

Brilliant. So that to contend with now too.

So straight out of the box and a slide up of the screen, still stiff, but not problematic and probably a good thing for use over time.

Back plate - absolutely solid as a rock.

Screen wobble that was a problem with the last one I had and one of the biggest issues faced by people? Not here!

Keypad? Perfect. Probably the best feeling one yet, better than the last one. No dead spots, feel 'clickier' and much less mushy. And having turned the phone on and set back up (it's updating currently) the back light is by far and away the best I've had so far. The keypad backlight is evenly lit, very bright and it looks and feels oh so heavenly.

So I'll just say this.
YAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!

How bizarre though, that a launch model would be the perfect one which seemingly no issues?! I hope I don't encounter any, but the only ones I know of beyond the build are software related, battery drain and phone getting hot, but I had he heat issues on all of them and it doesn't bother me really as I know Marshamllow is coming which is going to iron that out.

So if you'll excuse me, I have a non creaky, perfect keypad phone to set up. Fifth time the charm . Glad I didn't give up!

 

[jamezr]

Priv 5 has jus arrived.

Imagine my horror when on checking the side of the box for the build date, I see 3rd November 2015. Launch models.

The last 2 were December 10th, so after the original batches and from my experience, when Blackberry fixed the thin, flimsy back plates that plagued virtually all of the original batch models.

Brilliant. So that to contend with now too.

So straight out of the box and a slide up of the screen, still stiff, but not problematic and probably a good thing for use over time.

Back plate - absolutely solid as a rock.

Screen wobble that was a problem with the last one I had and one of the biggest issues faced by people? Not here!

Keypad? Perfect. Probably the best feeling one yet, better than the last one. No dead spots, feel 'clickier' and much less mushy. And having turned the phone on and set back up (it's updating currently) the back light is by far and away the best I've had so far. The keypad backlight is evenly lit, very bright and it looks and feels oh so heavenly.

So I'll just say this.
YAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!

How bizarre though, that a launch model would be the perfect one which seemingly no issues?! I hope I don't encounter any, but the only ones I know of beyond the build are software related, battery drain and phone getting hot, but I had he heat issues on all of them and it doesn't bother me really as I know Marshamllow is coming which is going to iron that out.

So if you'll excuse me, I have a non creaky, perfect keypad phone to set up. Fifth time the charm . Glad I didn't give up!

Awesome! Glad the fifth time was a charm for you!

 

[MRU]

Priv 5 has jus arrived.

Imagine my horror when on checking the side of the box for the build date, I see 3rd November 2015. Launch models.

The last 2 were December 10th, so after the original batches and from my experience, when Blackberry fixed the thin, flimsy back plates that plagued virtually all of the original batch models.

Brilliant. So that to contend with now too.

So straight out of the box and a slide up of the screen, still stiff, but not problematic and probably a good thing for use over time.

Back plate - absolutely solid as a rock.

Screen wobble that was a problem with the last one I had and one of the biggest issues faced by people? Not here!

Keypad? Perfect. Probably the best feeling one yet, better than the last one. No dead spots, feel 'clickier' and much less mushy. And having turned the phone on and set back up (it's updating currently) the back light is by far and away the best I've had so far. The keypad backlight is evenly lit, very bright and it looks and feels oh so heavenly.

So I'll just say this.
YAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!

How bizarre though, that a launch model would be the perfect one which seemingly no issues?! I hope I don't encounter any, but the only ones I know of beyond the build are software related, battery drain and phone getting hot, but I had he heat issues on all of them and it doesn't bother me really as I know Marshamllow is coming which is going to iron that out.

So if you'll excuse me, I have a non creaky, perfect keypad phone to set up. Fifth time the charm . Glad I didn't give up!

Cool stuff. Mine arrives tomorrow or Friday so will let you know how I get on

 

[Aneres11]

Excited to read your thoughts.

I am so so pleased with this one. It's perfect.
I've only just finished setting it back up again! 4 hours roughly :O

It's mainly because I've had to add all my contacts again and I have OCD in that they all have to have a contact photo, so that's taken some time .

Phone now all good to go though and it's just so good to have it back. I never thought I'd be saying it, but this is easily up there for me as one of my favourite mobile devices ever, and I do not say that lightly.

It's hopefully only going to get better to with all of the updates. BlackBerry sent out their promised monthly security update yesterday too, so they're seemingly keeping their word in relation to that, which is very promising to see.

 

[MRU]

Mine arrived. No creaking or dodgy things thank goodness though I'm still only really setting it up. I like the smart case, even though it does add bulk. Only gripe is that I got the European QWERTZ physical keyboard with the X&Y switched. Not sure if I can be bothered to go to the effort of returning it for that as I can accommodate that small difference.

Installed action launcher 3 so I get the same benefits as widget pop ups but I find it it cleaner than the blackberry launcher. I still keep productivity tab, very handy and BB hub is handy too.

Got fairy warm setting up the device, much the same as my Moto X Style did. Seems to me the 808 runs generally warmer than the 810 in newer machines.

 

[jamezr]

Mine arrived. No creaking or dodgy things thank goodness though I'm still only really setting it up. I like the smart case, even though it does add bulk. Only gripe is that I got the European QWERTZ physical keyboard with the X&Y switched. Not sure if I can be bothered to go to the effort of returning it for that as I can accommodate that small difference.

Installed action launcher 3 so I get the same benefits as widget pop ups but I find it it cleaner than the blackberry launcher. I still keep productivity tab, very handy and BB hub is handy too.

Got fairy warm setting up the device, much the same as my Moto X Style did. Seems to me the 808 runs generally warmer than the 810 in newer machines.

How are you finding the keyboard? How has your experience typing it been?

 

[MRU]

How are you finding the keyboard? How has your experience typing it been?

At first I thought it was incredibly small however within a few minutes I am able to type on it without too much hassle at all. Remembering that it will add punctuation automatically is great as it really speeds up the text input. The swipe up with the physical keyboard also helps and becomes intuitive quickly.

I've used the physical keyboard more than the on screen keyboard so far with it.

 

[mountain]

I think RIM is too late in the game. They should have abandoned their fossil OS and jumped on android when they were down. Too much pride.

 

[MRU]

I think RIM is too late in the game. They should have abandoned their fossil OS and jumped on android when they were down. Too much pride.

Probably is too late to make a significant comeback but if they keep offering devices with physical keyboards on android then they could fit a nice niche segment to keep them going.



----


Did a side by side test once my priv was setup and charged with my Z5 and 6P.

Essentially with same apps installed, same action launcher 3 as the main launcher all three devices pretty much performed near identically opening apps and all did really well on multitasking getting around 14 apps open without any reloading and jumping in and out of them without refreshing.

The 6P remains the coolest (warmth wise) whilst the Z5 just a little warmer, the proof was the warmest. Not overly hot but certainly provably warmer than the other two.