Android-based BlackBerry DTEK50 (Neon) officially announced, pre-orders open now

posted by Florin T. / Jul 26, 2016, 1:59 PM

The BlackBerry Neon that we saw earlier today is now available to pre-order in the US, Canada, and a handful of European countries. Also known as BlackBerry Hamburg, the device is officially called BlackBerry DTEK50 (pronounced dee-tek-fif-tee), and is the Canadian company's second Android-powered smartphone, after the BlackBerry Priv.

The BlackBerry DTEK50 is presented as "the world’s most secure Android smartphone". Based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the handset encrypts all user information, and comes with a DTEK by BlackBerry App, which can automatically monitor the OS to let users "know when their privacy could be at risk and to take action to improve it." DTEK will also track other apps, notifying users about suspicious activities on the device, like using cameras without permission, accessing your contacts or location, sending text messages, and turning the microphone on.

If the design of the DTEK50 looks a bit familiar, it's because the device is not actually manufactured by BlackBerry, instead being a rebranded, modified version of the Alcatel Idol 4. The DTEK50 shares pretty much all of its tech specs with the Idol 4, though it adds a Convenience Key (on the right side), letting you quickly access your frequently used apps and tasks. Here are the phone's specs at a glance:

Display	5.2 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, 424 ppi
Hardware	Octa-core Snapdragon 617 CPU, Adreno 405 GPU, 3 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory (expandable)
Cameras	Rear: 13 MP with phase detection auto focus. Front: 8 MP
Battery	2610 mAh (non-removable) with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0

BlackBerry hopes that the DTEK50 will be appreciated by "price-conscious consumers and businesses." The smartphone can be pre-ordered for $299 (check out the source link below), and should start shipping on August 8. Customers who pre-order the DTEK50 will also receive a high-capacity BlackBerry MP-12600 Mobile Power Charger, which includes a 12,600 mAh battery, 1 microUSB charging port (for the DTEK50), and 2 USB charging ports (for other devices). Not bad!

In case you're planning to purchase one, you should know that the BlackBerry DTEK50 is compatible only with T-Mobile and AT&T (including their pre-paid brands), and won't work on CDMA carriers like Verizon or Sprint. So, is anyone tempted to get this phone?

BlackBerry DTEK50

BlackBerry DTEK50

sources: BlackBerry DTEK50 pre-order page, Press release

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116 Comments

1. Fona13A unregistered

That back looks nice and so does the touch keyboard. Other than that, I am very torn about this. I hope it can live up to its secure architecture, despite the Android.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 2:03 PM 4

35. Mxyzptlk unregistered

You're better off getting a Nexus 6P since it's on sale and is universally unlocked.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 4:34 PM 1

54. PenTiltoKet

Posts: 552; Member since: May 18, 2016

Agree with you. This DTEK50 is a super low end with 16GB storage and weak SD 617.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 11:07 PM 0

47. xq10xa

Posts: 808; Member since: Dec 07, 2010

$300 is priced right. They are really pushing security so that will make this sell. If the typical consumer doesn't know it's Alcatel and the tech person doesn't care...then this phone will sell. Good luck BB. Sell these!

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 5:49 PM 1

55. PenTiltoKet

BB should give this phone a 32GB storage or 64GB.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 11:08 PM 0

3. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

DTEK50? What weird name. But I hope this device becomes a success. We can't afford to lose BB in the smartphone segment!

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 2:18 PM 4

5. SYSTEM_LORD

Posts: 1168; Member since: Oct 05, 2015

High capacity power bank? With 1200mAh? PA, please fix your typo

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 2:22 PM 0

11. EC112987

Posts: 1214; Member since: Nov 10, 2014

So I pretty much destroyed my priv...dropped it walking out of my car lol looking forward to this

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 2:37 PM 0

20. libra89

Posts: 2264; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

This device is very interesting. BB finally did correct pricing. I am surprised that for a device that is $300, it has ois in both the front and back cameras.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 2:59 PM 1

22. eman99

Posts: 409; Member since: Aug 03, 2010

Still no CDMA blackberry android this sucks

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 3:30 PM 0

24. meanestgenius

Posts: 21578; Member since: May 28, 2014

With the PRIV, there is a CDMA variant on Verizon. And STV100-2 supports CDMA bands.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 3:50 PM 0

26. jellmoo

Posts: 2541; Member since: Oct 31, 2011

Not a huge fan of the name, but that's not important. The price is about right, except the fact that it goes for $429 in Canada, which is adding on a $35ish premium on top of the exchange rate. Specs are about just right, though I wish they would have splurged and given 32GB of base storage,

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 3:53 PM 2

40. Subie

Posts: 2321; Member since: Aug 01, 2015

I was hoping for the $350 Canadian price tag that was speculated in a post last week.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 4:40 PM 0

49. jellmoo

Same here. That would have matched the price of the Idol 3. I could stomach $399, to match the exchange rate. But BB taking on a premium charge on top of the exchange rate is really poor form for their home country.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 6:47 PM 0

59. PenTiltoKet

The more people loving BB, the more BB will punish them. BB pricing this $300 in the US because their market share in US already near ZERO.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 11:16 PM 0

33. Troysyx

Posts: 181; Member since: Jul 30, 2012

Design wise, it reminds me a lot of the Alcatel Idol 3. I wonder if this has stereo speakers.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 4:26 PM 0

43. meanestgenius

It's based off the Idol 4, and yes, it has the stereo speakers.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 4:44 PM 1

69. Mxyzptlk unregistered

If it has ffs, then it's a huge plus. Nothing beats front facing speakers.

posted on Jul 27, 2016, 4:11 PM 1

109. meanestgenius

DTEK50 has ffs at the top and bottom of the phone, and it's mirrored the exact same way on the back.

posted on Jul 29, 2016, 2:55 PM 0

50. johnh3

Posts: 142; Member since: Aug 23, 2012

I think the price is alright this time. The PRIV was 700 US dollar at launch or so if I remember it correct. With this I can imagine many will pre-order the device. And I understand it are 2 more phones in the pipeline to. So thats a good sign. John Chen have done a good job, the company not bleeding money at same pace as before. And they are still in the hardware business even if they not make the devices by themselves anymore.

posted on Jul 26, 2016, 7:03 PM 2

105. PenTiltoKet

If the sales doesn't reach 500,000 this quarter, will you change your opinion?

posted on Jul 29, 2016, 4:17 AM 0

51. ibend

Posts: 6747; Member since: Sep 30, 2014

they wont sell much of that.. well, they may sell some, because its $300 for brand new blackberry model, BB ex-lovers who have no idea about specs will give it a try.. (but whats with that naming? DTEK50? seriously?)