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jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,079
19,072
US
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.
Do you use the multitask button to go back 14 apps? Isn't it easier to just tap the app icon? I guess it must be personal preference :)
 

Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
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.

Sorry, but I completely disagree.

The OS can only be described as 'fossil' for those looking to use their phone as an app machine.
For productivity, BB10 is one of the best out there.

But I digress.

@MRU glad you got no build issues but the qwertz thing would absolutely drive me insane! But like you say, a lot of hassle to return especially when the one you end up with could have some problems.

Glad to hear you're liking it though and you can get along with the physical keypad!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts over time.

Also, enjoying the wallpaper you're rocking there! :)
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Do you use the multitask button to go back 14 apps? Isn't it easier to just tap the app icon? I guess it must be personal preference :)
Under normal use I would use a combination of simply pressing whichever app icon I want and the recents window.

However when testing multitasking especially against other devices; going into recents will at least show clearly the amount of apps open and their behaviour you check them in memory.
 
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Tsepz

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2013
4,888
4,698
Johannesburg, South Africa
Congrats MRU and Aneres! Enjoy your Privs! :)

BB are doing a nice job with the regular updates it seems.

I wonder if BB they will bring a 820 based Priv 2 later this year. Its a truly stunning device.

Is it easy to hold and type one-handed with that case, MRU?
 
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MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Congrats MRU and Aneres! Enjoy your Privs! :)

BB are doing a nice job with the regular updates it seems.

I wonder if BB they will bring a 820 based Priv 2 later this year. Its a truly stunning device.

Is it easy to hold and type one-handed with that case, MRU?
No. It I find with the keyboard it is a two handed affair. You can do it just abouts
one handed but I find it easier to type with two hands on it.
 

Tsepz

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2013
4,888
4,698
Johannesburg, South Africa
No. It I find with the keyboard it is a two handed affair. You can do it just abouts
one handed but I find it easier to type with two hands on it.
Fair enough. Looking forward to your thoughts on it over time.

I'll only be getting a new phone between July and October, depending on what is available. Waiting for the Note 6, the S7 should give a nice idea of what the Note 6 will have.

If a Priv 2 with the Snapdragon 820 comes out I may just take the leap.
 

Shardlake

macrumors newbie
May 23, 2015
26
8
I had the Priv for about a month or so. I really liked it. There was something good about having a physical keyboard again; took about a week to get used to it but great once mastered.

I liked the Android experience with a BB twist. Some nice touches; just needs refined.

It looks like they will be ditching BB OS for Android going by CEO statement.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Well a full week later, the priv hasn't sadly won me over to it's charms and will be on the move shortly.

1. I do not like the grippy carbon fibre texture. It feels like someone has put adhesive all over it and I actually find it a really unpleasant sensation. Indeed I am sure the choice of materials is affecting my next point of note ...

2. The phone gets very warm. VERY warm even compared to all the other handsets I've had. The Moto X Style has a habit of running warm too, but nothing compared to the heat from the Priv. Whilst the phone doesn't shut down or exhibit and signs of struggling whilst being very warm, added to the feel of the phone, it just adds to a general feeling on discomfort whilst using it.

3. Keyboard - despite being small I have no problems using it actually. I like it - but found the shortcut keys less than 'shortcuts' really. If anything it's just as quick to tap on screen as tap on a key or key combo.

4. Camera is decent. Very similar end results to the Moto X Style / Pure 2015. Have no real complaints about the camera other than imaging processing does take far longer than on other 2015 devices I've had this past year.

5. Blackberry Hub - I like. Very good for me and so is the productivity tab. Very handy in my day to day usage. Would like to see similar on other devices.

6. Battery life is ok. Falling somewhere middle of the road. Neither poor or great. Just flat bang in the middle. I honestly think the 808 processor is far more of a power hungry processor than the newer 810s. The Moto X Style / Pure with its Snapdragon 808 and 3450mAh battery has similar 'meh!' battery life.

7. Screen is very good, saturation and colour accuracy is actually strange for amoled in that whilst its not as over saturated as amoled tends to be, it's overall colour accuracy isn't quite as good as it should be and with no way of correcting it. It reminds me of both the Moto X 2014 and Moto Nexus 6 in colour accuracy (though not as saturated as those two).


So ....

Overall it's a nice phone, but the feel in the hand leaves me disconcerted. Really disconcerted. Does anyone remember those sticky / tacky jelly like octopus/squid things we used to throw at walls as kids and they would sticky roll down the wall tentacle by tentacle .... It reminds me of that tackiness feeling.

Everything else is ok, but just not excelling .... so yeah - my inquisitiveness has been quenched regarding the priv, but I must say if they had a more premium / solid feeling device such as the blackberry passport silver - running with a more heat friendly chipset - I would definitely be tempted to jump back onboard.
 
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Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
Good to read your thoughts!

I didn't think it would win you over, but to be honest, the reasons youve quoted for not enjoying the device are not what I would have thought you'd say haha.

I personally love the feel of the back. Much prefer it to a metal back which is cold to touch and very slippy (iPhone 6, looking at you), but I understand it isn't for everyone!

I completely agree with the majority of what you're saying. Battery life is middling. I've used my phone sporadically today - not much at all. It got taken off charge at 7am and right now it's on 54%. Not bad at all, but I've not done much with the device.

The heat of the phone - yep, definite issue. I find it mostly happens when using Google apps. Chrome for instance, makes it boiling. I've tried other browsers and don't like them.
I know I've said it before, but I am hopeful Marshmallow fixes some of these issues.

For my needs, it's perfect. But I wholeheartedly agree with you in saying that if they replaced the chip and made this thing with slightly more premium materials, they'd be on to an absolute winner.
 
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joshwithachance

macrumors 68020
Dec 11, 2009
2,104
1,320
I just picked one up yesterday as I'm on the Jump On Demand plan with T-Mobile, and I think this thing is a winner.
Pros:
Back looks nice, feels nice, is grippy.
Screen is beautiful.
Keyboard is good, and love the shortcuts.
BlackBerry Hub is AWESOME.
The speaker is front facing.

Cons:
The front camera is absolute GARBAGE.
The speaker doesn't sound good.
Stutters sometimes.

Hopefully Marshmallow helps with the (mild) performance and heating issues. Everything else on the market bores me, so I'm glad BlackBerry came out with something interesting, and quite appealing. And when I'm over it, I can just use my next Jump.
 
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Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
Always good to have another Priv user on here!

And I'm really pleased you like the phone too!

I'm with you re Marshmallow. Hopefully it will help some of the heat and performance issues although I am having no real performance problems. It's more just the heat but that only seems to come from using Google's apps - Chrome especially. Like now! Toasty right hand!

But for me, this device is just the best thing ever. I love it so much.
 
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joshwithachance

macrumors 68020
Dec 11, 2009
2,104
1,320
Always good to have another Priv user on here!

And I'm really pleased you like the phone too!

I'm with you re Marshmallow. Hopefully it will help some of the heat and performance issues although I am having no real performance problems. It's more just the heat but that only seems to come from using Google's apps - Chrome especially. Like now! Toasty right hand!

But for me, this device is just the best thing ever. I love it so much.
Yeah I don't have any performance issues either really, just the heat. And it's not just Google apps. Extended use of Opera or the Hub has the same effect. Makes no sense to me as the phone isn't metal and doesn't have the most beastly processor on the market. It has to be software related, which is why I feel Marshmallow may solve most the heating issue. It doesn't bother me that much, but it shouldn't be happening. The Nexus 6P doesn't have this issue, nor the iPhone 6S/Plus, so hopefully BB fixes it sooner rather than later.
 

MRU

macrumors Penryn
Aug 23, 2005
25,370
8,952
a better place
Yeah I don't have any performance issues either really, just the heat. And it's not just Google apps. Extended use of Opera or the Hub has the same effect. Makes no sense to me as the phone isn't metal and doesn't have the most beastly processor on the market. It has to be software related, which is why I feel Marshmallow may solve most the heating issue. It doesn't bother me that much, but it shouldn't be happening. The Nexus 6P doesn't have this issue, nor the iPhone 6S/Plus, so hopefully BB fixes it sooner rather than later.
I would put the blame on the 808. In every device I've owned with it. It's got warmer in use than even the 810.

Even the new Nextbit Robin has same issue in that it's gets very warm to uncomfortably warm in use ...

My Moto X Style consistently warm too.
 

asharahmed

macrumors regular
Sep 1, 2014
234
54
I had mine for a month before swapping it for a Nexus 6P because the Priv was way more expensive and had a multitude of issues, including but not limited to: overheating, bad build quality (felt plasticy because it was) and terrible battery life even for Android.

The 6P I got for $0 down and am paying only $10CDN extra for it on my monthly bill so not too bad ($240CDN), compared to the PRIV's outrageous $399 down. it's larger in size but IMHO, coming from an iPhone, a more pleasant experience: gets very slightly warm, less so than an iPhone, has excellent battery life (5h SOT with heavy use and watching video) and an amazing screen.

I know it sounds like I'm a sleeper agent for Huawei but it's actually a good device, although I prefer my iPhone.
 

2298754

Cancelled
Jun 21, 2010
4,890
941
When can we expect a sequel to the Priv? I'm not sure I want to spend that much money on an already outdated phone
 

joshwithachance

macrumors 68020
Dec 11, 2009
2,104
1,320
Returned it. Couldn't deal with the overheating and not being able to turn battery percentage off. The keyboard isn't all that nice to use either.
 
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Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
Sad time indeed.

It is definitely a niche phone. It has its shortcomings, but what phone doesn't.

I continue to love mine every second of the day. :D
 
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Aneres11

macrumors 601
Oct 2, 2011
4,353
9,551
Apologies for bumping a thread that no one has posted in for ages! I think I'm the only Priv member on here haha.

It was just a heads up really, for anyone curious.

Marshmallow finally got pushed to my device from my carrier (Vodafone UK) who took their sweet time.
I expected it to fix some of the issues I'd faced with the device (phone running very hot, battery life etc) as this was touted as the 'fix' to these things.

I can safely say that Marshmallow fixes none of these things in the slightest. Phone is boiling now as I type.

I still love my Priv, but a bit annoyed that it still has some pretty annoying flaws.
 
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