BlackBerry Priv The 5.4-inch QHD display on the Priv is excellent. Its subtle dual curved edges are attractive, detail is pin sharp and it enables you to actually enjoy videos and games on a BlackBerry device. The BlackBerry Priv delivers strong performance in a sleek, solid package. The subtle tweaks to Android are useful, and the compact keyboard packs in useful functionality. It's also fun to slide open, over and over again. The Priv runs Android 5.1.1 on the capable 1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 CPU with Adreno 418 graphics. This is a high end CPU that's bested only by the Snapdragon 810 in Qualcomm's lineup and by the latest Exynos CPU used in the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Note 5 lines. The hexa-core Snapdragon 808 generates less heat and potentially offers better battery life than the 810, and that's a good thing because the Priv gets surprisingly toasty and doesn't have particularly good battery life. This CPU is also used in the LG G4 and Moto X 2015 edition, where it runs cooler, and we can only guess that the Priv's slim design and carbon fiber back transfer heat to your hand more than the thicker (at the middle) curved-back LG and Motorola phones. The Priv won't come close to burning you, but it can make your hands sweat when downloading a queue of app updates or playing games. Performance levels on benchmarks are similar to other Android phones with the same CPU, and on paper the phone is fast enough to take even demanding tasks. I say "on paper" because the Priv sometimes has small lapses or hiccups in performance in everyday tasks, though it performs well in demanding games and streaming 1080p video. I suspect some performance tuning and software/firmware updates could ameliorate this (and it's a good show for BlackBerry's first Android smartphone).
BUT,The sliding mechanism is fun to play with, while rekindling fond memories of phones gone by, but the physical keyboard it hides feels outdated and clunky. The keyboard is a bit narrow for large hands, and the device feels top heavy when fully extended. This security-focused phone is missing a few modern protection options, like a fingerprint reader or iris scanner.
THE BOTTOM LINE Finally we have a BlackBerry smartphone with all the apps you want, with a screen you can actually enjoy videos and games on, and an interface that's far more familiar and intuitive (for the general public at least) than that on theBlackBerry 10. Android and an awesome keyboard make the Priv the best BlackBerry in years, but if you're not a keyboard lover and aren't much of a security seeker, you'll find phones that are cheaper, or offer better features than the Priv. Specs Operating system: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (8992) Hexa-Core, 64 bit GPU: Adreno 418, 600 MHz Display: 5.43-inch curved AMOLED, 2560x1440 resolution (540 ppi) Memory: 3GB low-power RAM Storage: 32GB Flash storage Rear camera: 18MP, f/2.2, OIS, phase-detect autofocus
Front camera: 2MP, f/2.8, 1.75um pixel size Battery: 3,410 mAh, 4.4volt Non-removable Charging: Quick Charge 2.0 Qi wireless (some models) Size: 147 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm184 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm (keyboard open) Weight: 192 g Network: FD-LTE: Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 20, 29, 30 HSPA+: Band 1, 2, 4, 5/6, 8 Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE Connectivity: Wifi 802.11ac Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, USB 2.0 Price:$699
VS Samsung Galaxy S6's The new super-skinny build does mean that this Samsung gets very warm in use, however. Actually, not warm, it gets plain hot. Finger-burning hot. This is something that's becoming more and more common with today's increasingly thin smartphones, particularly those that have metal bodies. But I'm pleased to report that even when it's got a fever on performance doesn't appear to be affected. The upscale Samsung Galaxy S6's smooth glass-and-matte-metal body, improved fingerprint reader, and convenient new camera shortcut key make the phone a stunner. Samsung's decluttered take on Android 5.0 brings the beauty inside, too.
BUT,Longtime fans will bristle at the Galaxy S6's nonremovable battery and absent expandable storage. The phone has an intensely reflective backing and looks embarrassingly like the iPhone 6. Battery life, while good, falls short of last year's Galaxy.
THE BOTTOM LINE Worldly looks and top-notch specs make the impressive, metal Samsung Galaxy S6 the Android phone to beat for 2015.
Performance
Octa-core Exynos 7420 big.LITTLE Processor; Mali T760 GPU; 3GB RAM
The Galaxy S6 runs Android 5.0 Lollipop integrated with a newly streamlined version of TouchWiz and it’s incredibly snappy to use. One of the best features is the multi-window functionality – I used it frequently.
Multi-window lets you open and use two apps simultaneously by holding down the option button or dragging from the top left corner of the screen. It’s great for writing an email while checking details online, or sharing posts from social media while talking about them with a friend on WhatsApp, for example.
Overall, the streamlined look and feel of the TouchWiz is a winner. We did experience a couple of instances where downloaded and native applications would randomly stop working, but we imagine this will be smoothed out fairly easily with updates.
TouchWiz gets a huge helping hand by the fact this is the most powerful smartphone on the market right now. Only the HTC One M9, with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, gets close to matching its performance.
The credit goes to the 64-bit Samsung Exynos 7420 octa-core processor and 3GB RAM – it’s the first time Samsung has used this chip in a phone. It seems that switching away from Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon processor in its flagship phone has paid off handsomely.
The Exynos 7420 processor has an advantage over the powerful Snapdragon 810 processor used by the HTC One M9 because the chip is smaller and more energy efficient. You can read the software and performance sections of our Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge review for a more detailed breakdown of how it compares to the competition, but needless to say the S6 impresses.
One of the best demonstrations of the Galaxy S6’s power is how smoothly it handles graphically intensive games like Real Racing 3 or Asphalt 8. There are no dropped frames whatsoever and the games are rendered better than we’ve seen on any other phone. Battery life
Battery life on the Samsung Galaxy S6. Now we get to the real issue of this phone. It's not good enough, and that's hugely frustrating.
Let me put this into context: it's as good as the HTC One M9 and iPhone 6 in terms of being able to last just about through the day. Given that last year we were seeing phones that could easily make it to bed time without running out of juice, it's maddening that Samsung, like others, has gone backwards here.
The reason is simple: the battery pack in the new S6 is smaller than last year, 2550mAh compared to 2800mAh. The reduction is there solely so Samsung could make a slimmer phone, focusing on design over functionality. And unlike previous years, the battery can no longer be removed, taking away one of the big things fans loved about the phones. Key Features: 5.1-inch 1440 x 2560 resolution screen; Octa-core Exynos 7420 chipset; Wireless Charging; 3GB RAM; 2,550mAh non-removable battery; Android 5.0 L with TouchWiz; Samsung Pay; IR Blaster
Manufacturer: Samsung
BUT,The sliding mechanism is fun to play with, while rekindling fond memories of phones gone by, but the physical keyboard it hides feels outdated and clunky. The keyboard is a bit narrow for large hands, and the device feels top heavy when fully extended. This security-focused phone is missing a few modern protection options, like a fingerprint reader or iris scanner.
THE BOTTOM LINE Finally we have a BlackBerry smartphone with all the apps you want, with a screen you can actually enjoy videos and games on, and an interface that's far more familiar and intuitive (for the general public at least) than that on theBlackBerry 10. Android and an awesome keyboard make the Priv the best BlackBerry in years, but if you're not a keyboard lover and aren't much of a security seeker, you'll find phones that are cheaper, or offer better features than the Priv. Specs Operating system: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 (8992) Hexa-Core, 64 bit GPU: Adreno 418, 600 MHz Display: 5.43-inch curved AMOLED, 2560x1440 resolution (540 ppi) Memory: 3GB low-power RAM Storage: 32GB Flash storage Rear camera: 18MP, f/2.2, OIS, phase-detect autofocus
Front camera: 2MP, f/2.8, 1.75um pixel size Battery: 3,410 mAh, 4.4volt Non-removable Charging: Quick Charge 2.0 Qi wireless (some models) Size: 147 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm184 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm (keyboard open) Weight: 192 g Network: FD-LTE: Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 20, 29, 30 HSPA+: Band 1, 2, 4, 5/6, 8 Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE Connectivity: Wifi 802.11ac Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, USB 2.0 Price:$699
VS Samsung Galaxy S6's The new super-skinny build does mean that this Samsung gets very warm in use, however. Actually, not warm, it gets plain hot. Finger-burning hot. This is something that's becoming more and more common with today's increasingly thin smartphones, particularly those that have metal bodies. But I'm pleased to report that even when it's got a fever on performance doesn't appear to be affected. The upscale Samsung Galaxy S6's smooth glass-and-matte-metal body, improved fingerprint reader, and convenient new camera shortcut key make the phone a stunner. Samsung's decluttered take on Android 5.0 brings the beauty inside, too.
BUT,Longtime fans will bristle at the Galaxy S6's nonremovable battery and absent expandable storage. The phone has an intensely reflective backing and looks embarrassingly like the iPhone 6. Battery life, while good, falls short of last year's Galaxy.
THE BOTTOM LINE Worldly looks and top-notch specs make the impressive, metal Samsung Galaxy S6 the Android phone to beat for 2015.
Performance
Octa-core Exynos 7420 big.LITTLE Processor; Mali T760 GPU; 3GB RAM
The Galaxy S6 runs Android 5.0 Lollipop integrated with a newly streamlined version of TouchWiz and it’s incredibly snappy to use. One of the best features is the multi-window functionality – I used it frequently.
Multi-window lets you open and use two apps simultaneously by holding down the option button or dragging from the top left corner of the screen. It’s great for writing an email while checking details online, or sharing posts from social media while talking about them with a friend on WhatsApp, for example.
Overall, the streamlined look and feel of the TouchWiz is a winner. We did experience a couple of instances where downloaded and native applications would randomly stop working, but we imagine this will be smoothed out fairly easily with updates.
TouchWiz gets a huge helping hand by the fact this is the most powerful smartphone on the market right now. Only the HTC One M9, with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, gets close to matching its performance.
The credit goes to the 64-bit Samsung Exynos 7420 octa-core processor and 3GB RAM – it’s the first time Samsung has used this chip in a phone. It seems that switching away from Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon processor in its flagship phone has paid off handsomely.
The Exynos 7420 processor has an advantage over the powerful Snapdragon 810 processor used by the HTC One M9 because the chip is smaller and more energy efficient. You can read the software and performance sections of our Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge review for a more detailed breakdown of how it compares to the competition, but needless to say the S6 impresses.
One of the best demonstrations of the Galaxy S6’s power is how smoothly it handles graphically intensive games like Real Racing 3 or Asphalt 8. There are no dropped frames whatsoever and the games are rendered better than we’ve seen on any other phone. Battery life
Battery life on the Samsung Galaxy S6. Now we get to the real issue of this phone. It's not good enough, and that's hugely frustrating.
Let me put this into context: it's as good as the HTC One M9 and iPhone 6 in terms of being able to last just about through the day. Given that last year we were seeing phones that could easily make it to bed time without running out of juice, it's maddening that Samsung, like others, has gone backwards here.
The reason is simple: the battery pack in the new S6 is smaller than last year, 2550mAh compared to 2800mAh. The reduction is there solely so Samsung could make a slimmer phone, focusing on design over functionality. And unlike previous years, the battery can no longer be removed, taking away one of the big things fans loved about the phones. Key Features: 5.1-inch 1440 x 2560 resolution screen; Octa-core Exynos 7420 chipset; Wireless Charging; 3GB RAM; 2,550mAh non-removable battery; Android 5.0 L with TouchWiz; Samsung Pay; IR Blaster
Manufacturer: Samsung
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