Which BlackBerry Is Right For You?
Known in the past for being the go-to smartphone for businesspeople, BlackBerry has made quite a few changes to their handsets since the early 2000s. Gone are the days of the classic BlackBerry Curve and the BlackBerry Bold, today you'll find devices packed with innovative features like responsive edge-to-edge touchscreens and advanced, high-spec cameras.
One major move is BlackBerry's decision to leave its own OS behind and join the world of Android. Now powered by one of the most popular operating systems in the world, it's safe to say BlackBerry smartphones are no longer just for the office. We examine the current BlackBerry range, sto help you decide which is the right handset for you.
BlackBerry KEY2
At a glance: 4.5-inch display, 12MP camera, 4K video recording, 3,500 mAh battery, 6GB RAM, 151.4 x 71.8 x 8.5mm, 168g.
The BlackBerry KEY2 is the latest smartphone from BlackBerry, and it's jam-packed with innovative features. Following on from the BlackBerry KEYone, the combination of a responsive, 4.5-inch touchscreen and physical QWERTY keyboard remains. This, alongside the lightweight aluminium alloy frame, resistant Corning Gorilla Glass and an attractive non-slip back, ensures the BlackBerry KEY2 is both a stylish and practical handset.
There's fingerprint recognition technology integrated into the keyboard too, so you can open the device with one touch. Inside, a generous 6GB RAM will keep the device running smoothly and thanks to the huge 3,500 mAh battery you can expect up to two days of power with one charge. Of course, we can't forget to mention the BlackBerry KEY2's standout feature - a 12MP rear camera that's also capable of 4K video recording.
BlackBerry Motion
At a glance: 5.5-inch display, 12MP camera, 4GB RAM, 4,000 mAh battery, 155.8 x 75.5 x 0.32mm, 167g.
The front of the BlackBerry Motion houses a 5.5-inch anti-scratch touchscreen, and there's no physical keyboard in sight. With an IP67 water and dust resistance rating too, you can be confident the BlackBerry Motion is a durable smartphone as well as a stylish one. Running on Android Nougat straight out of the box, expect a super speedy performance which is helped even more by the addition of a state-of-the-art processor and 4GB RAM. The Motion's battery is one of the biggest to ever be included on a BlackBerry too, and supports fast charging.
If you're after a phone to take fantastic photos, the 12MP rear camera with a f2.0 aperture won't disappoint. Designed to let in more light in dark conditions, you can always expect brilliant shots. Your selfies will be fantastic too, thanks to the 8MP wide-angle camera you'll always be able to can squeeze everyone into the photo.
BlackBerry KEYone
At a glance: 4.5-inch display, 12MP camera, 4K video recording, 3GB RAM, 3,500 mAh battery, 149.3 x 72.5 x 9.4mm, 180g.
Love the sound of the BlackBerry KEY2, but fancy something cheaper? Allow us to introduce you to the first model in the KEY series - the BlackBerry KEYone. It's a brilliant alternative that's still full of amazing specs. Just like the BlackBerry KEY2, you'll find a 4.5-inch touchscreen and a responsive QWERTY keyboard full of time-saving shortcuts.
Under the hood you'll find a 3,505 mAh battery with Quick Charge and either 32 or 64GB of storage space. Both are upgradeable to 256GB with a MicroSD card if you need more room, which you might if you take advantage of the 4K recording feature. As for the main camera, it's an impressive 12MP with a Sony sensor for extra clarity. The front-facing camera is 8MP too. Android Nougat is also installed, so you'll have access to your favourite apps from the Google Play store.
BlackBerry Priv
At a glance: 5.4-inch display, 18MP camera, 3,410 mAh battery, 3GB RAM, 147 x 77.2 x 9.4mm, 192g.
One of the most budget-friendly BlackBerry handsets currently available, the BlackBerry Priv is a wonderful choice if your main focus is an amazing camera. The primary shooter on the BlackBerry Priv is a whopping 18MP - something that's hard to believe considering the low price point. With an optical image stabilisation, and dual-tone flash, expect nothing less than incredibly detailed shots. As for the front-facing camera, it's a fuctional 2MP - perfectly suited to making video calls with friends, or taking the occasional selfie.
As for the design, the BlackBerry Priv is actually a slider phone. Slide the 5.4-inch QHD display up to reveal a physical QWERTY keyboard, and slide it back down if you just want to use the touchscreen. There's 32GB of storage on board too, and 3GB RAM to keep the Android operating system running seamlessly, even when you multitask.
If you're after the latest BlackBerry, you simply can't beat the BlackBerry KEY2 with its state-of-the-art specs. For those who aren't necessarily interested in having the newest device on the market however, and are after a BlackBerry that's affordable, high performing and stylish, the BlackBerry Motion, BlackBerry KEYone or BlackBerry Priv are all amazing options.
Whichever BlackBerry device is right for you, you can guarantee you'll get a great deal online at Mobiles.co.uk.