BlackBerry Priv available online from Verizon today, in stores March 11th

posted by Alan F. / Mar 03, 2016, 11:18 AM

BlackBerry Priv available online from Verizon today, in stores March 11th

The BlackBerry Priv is now available for Verizon customers ordering online. In-store sales of BlackBerry's first Android powered phone will take place starting on March 11th. The Priv, which launched early in November, was originally an AT&T exclusive until January. Now, the slider is available from three out of the four major U.S. carriers, although Sprint is expected to offer the phone sometime this year.

Verizon is putting a $720 price tag on the BlackBerry Priv for those looking to pay the full retail price of the device. Verizon customers also have the option of paying $30 a month over 24 months using the Verizon installment plan. Big Red has some other goodies that they are offering, such as 24GB of free data for life to those who upgrade or activate a new phone with device payment on the XL plan or larger. Those switching from another carrier can receive up to $650 per line to pay off Early Termination Fees or installment plan balances.

Believe it or not, there was once a time when BlackBerry accounted for 95% of the smartphones sold by Verizon. Those days are obviously long gone. But if you are a BlackBerry fan who lived through the BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Bold 9930, and the BlackBerry Z10 to name a few, you owe it to yourself to check out this marriage between Android and BlackBerry.

The BlackBerry Priv is now available online from Verizon

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source: Verizon

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PhoneArena Rating:

7.2

Read Full Review

User Rating:

7.1

Based on 22 Reviews

Display 5.4" 1440 x 2560 pixels

Camera 18 MP / 2 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 808, Hexa-core, 1800 MHz

Storage 32 GB + microSDXC

Battery 3410 mAh

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63 Comments

1. DirtyDan23

Posts: 280; Member since: Aug 12, 2014

Nifty

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 11:33 AM 0

2. namelessxsilent

Posts: 26; Member since: Jul 22, 2014

Jesus... what a day to finally be sold in store... hmmm $720 should I get this or a new Galaxy which comes out the same day...

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 12:32 PM 0

3. Hypergy

Posts: 54; Member since: Feb 24, 2016

You want Dual Pixels or Dual Keyboards :D

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 12:39 PM 1

6. Armor

Posts: 52; Member since: Dec 06, 2011

Lets see, Priv has 541 ppi vs the s7 edge at 534. Priv has dual keyboards. Both of the phone. Wireless charging on s7 edge is optional, Priv via Verizon has built in wireless charging.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 2:09 PM 1

9. TreyTreyTaylor

Posts: 728; Member since: Dec 21, 2010

Who gives a crap about 7 PPI difference, seriously. You know the S6 came with wireless fast charging built in and so does the S7 right? It taks the Priv just under 3 HOURS to fully charge wired. Dude S7 is miles apart from the the Priv. Period.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 2:45 PM 3

14. canner

Posts: 68; Member since: Feb 29, 2016

Not really. They are both high end phones that breeze through everyday functions with ease and look d*** good doing it. Both have exlusives such as samsung pay and the vr headset. but I'd trade that for the added security of the Priv any day. The only difference is how the phones handle. if you prefer the keyboard then the blackberry has the edge. (PUN INTENTIAL!) But then thats completely subjective.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 3:35 PM 4

16. srgonu

Posts: 554; Member since: Feb 13, 2012

Okay, now look what's inside

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 4:57 PM 1

17. Ordinary

Posts: 2454; Member since: Apr 23, 2015

Priv supports QC 2.0 so jokes on you

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 4:57 PM 2

4. Pattyface

Posts: 1658; Member since: Aug 20, 2014

Silly silly question..

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 12:58 PM 1

5. shnibz

Posts: 510; Member since: Sep 18, 2011

@namelessxslient Yeah the Galaxy S7 Edge is way better for the same money. The SD808 is horrible on battery life and consistency, the Camera will be WAY better too.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 1:38 PM 3

7. Armor

Posts: 52; Member since: Dec 06, 2011

But it is the SD808 on a Blackberry who has always been able to get the best battery life. A whole day is no problem.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 2:11 PM 2

11. shnibz

Posts: 510; Member since: Sep 18, 2011

But they werent running Android before. Im just speaking on SD 808 running Android 5.0-5.1 and now 6.0.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 2:49 PM 1

13. meanestgenius

Posts: 22108; Member since: May 28, 2014

BlackBerry has implemented optimizations for better battery life with the PRIV. PRIV battery life is close to battery life on the Passport, and yes, I own both devices.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 3:30 PM 1

15. Hypergy

Posts: 54; Member since: Feb 24, 2016

S7 has insane battery life. Probably two day with regular use. Review on youtube.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 3:42 PM 2

20. Pattyface

Posts: 1658; Member since: Aug 20, 2014

I think we should wait for a real review to see how battery life is.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 6:30 PM 1

8. Crispin_Gatieza

Posts: 3139; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

Of course, you speak from experience with the Priv, right? Didn't think so.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 2:12 PM 1

27. Mxyzptlk unregistered

SD808 isn't too horrible on battery life depending on the phone. The Priv probably has one of the best battery life on a device with the SD808. Blackberry generally can do security, keyboard, and battery pretty well.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 8:34 PM 0

10. TreyTreyTaylor

Posts: 728; Member since: Dec 21, 2010

Some Priv owners in the comments section I see.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 2:46 PM 0

12. meanestgenius

Posts: 22108; Member since: May 28, 2014

I'm glad to see that the PRIV is finally on Verizon. Proud PRIV owner right here. It's a great device.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 3:16 PM 2

18. Crispin_Gatieza

Posts: 3139; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

Gotta represent!

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 6:11 PM 2

21. meanestgenius

Posts: 22108; Member since: May 28, 2014

Yes indeed!

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 6:52 PM 0

19. Pattyface

Posts: 1658; Member since: Aug 20, 2014

Then there's that build quality.. The priv is simply overpriced for what is given. BB is crazy to think in March this phone is worth the asking price. It's a great 500 phone but not so great at 720. We can be certain that other than the keyboard this phone is outmatched.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 6:29 PM 2

22. meanestgenius

Posts: 22108; Member since: May 28, 2014

Outmatched compared to what? Newer hardware with the latest specs? Shouldn't that be the case anyway? (However, the Android experience on the PRIV has been the absolute best Android experience for me, and I've used Android handsets since the G1 all the way to the S6 Edge +, and now the PRIV). I really don't understand why anyone would be comparing the PRIV to say, the new, yet-to-be-released Galaxy S7 or LG G5 when the PRIV will have been out almost five months before their release or longer. I firmly believe that the PRIV is also catering to a different clientele. People looking at the S7 for their next handset will not be interested in the PRIV for the most part, and vise-versa. I personally have ZERO interest in any Samsung handset at this time, as I am quite happy with what the PRIV offers. I think it's not a stretch to say that other PRIV users like Crispin would agree with me. I also checked out the T-Mobile version of the PRIV. The build quality seems better than earlier models. The software updates have also improved the user experience on the PRIV a great deal. I think that all three devices are/will be great for those interested in them and will serve their respective users well.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 7:14 PM 2

28. Crispin_Gatieza

Posts: 3139; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

I concur. The Priv offers the best Android experience for what I need a phone to do. As for the build quality, I wasn't impressed when I first saw the AT&T models but those were early production. My T-Mo version is as solid as I've been accustomed to from BlackBerry. Only my Lumia 1520 takes better pictures and not by much. In other words, it beats most others out there.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 9:44 PM 2

23. meanestgenius

Posts: 22108; Member since: May 28, 2014

I also hope that you realize that I'm not attacking you or being disrespectful in any way. I'm just posting an honest response to your comment. I say this because there's an idiot around here that loves to troll BlackBerry articles that will most likely try and say that I'm "attacking" you, in an effort to get my attention. I think you know who she is.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 7:24 PM 0

26. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Well just remember, you aren't allowed to have an opinion in Blackberry articles without a pompous, egotistical, self-centered troll breathing down your back.

posted on Mar 03, 2016, 8:31 PM 0

32. BobbyDigital

Posts: 2125; Member since: May 29, 2014

Speak of the iDiot and he appears! Lmao!!

posted on Mar 04, 2016, 9:25 AM 1

30. meanestgenius

Posts: 22108; Member since: May 28, 2014

See what I mean? Here she is, seeking my attention, and right on cue. And obviously, she feels that I'm not allowed to respond to others comments, but I'M the pompous, egotistical troll? What a HYPOCRITE. I think she just wants me to herself.

posted on Mar 04, 2016, 2:59 AM 0

34. Mxyzptlk unregistered

I never said you weren't allowed to respond to others comments and I technically never called any names, but thanks for confirming it. Get over it, Princess. You can't help but to comment whenever someone doubts the Priv.

posted on Mar 04, 2016, 4:26 PM 0

37. meanestgenius

Posts: 22108; Member since: May 28, 2014

But you said in another BlackBerry article that I was "stirring the pot" in this very article, so THANKS for confirming you're the "idiot that loves to troll BlackBerry articles". Go ahead and lie about it so I can post the link outing you. And you constantly complain that I'm "attacking" people whenever I respond to someone's comment, so cut the lying BS. YOU can't help but troll BlackBerry/Samsung/LG/Mototola/Android articles, so I think you're the one that needs to get over yourself concerning that.

posted on Mar 04, 2016, 4:45 PM 0

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