BlackBerry launches the much anticipated PRIV in Malaysia

The highly anticipated “saviour” of manufacturer BlackBerry, the PRIV, has finally been launched in Malaysia. This matrimony of the Android operating system and the security plus convenience of BlackBerry’s own operating system comes in a premium body with a curved display that will surely appeal to existing mainstream smartphone users. The PRIV does have a trick up its sleeve though as it features a physical QWERTY keyboard that slides out from under its display.

This slide out keyboard also functions as a touchpad for scrolling that makes text selection quicker and more accurate. There is also a text prediction feature that lets you flick predicted words upwards without having to move your thumbs away from the keyboard.

BlackBerry’s PRIV is the largest device the ever manufactured by the Waterloo corporation and comes with a 5.4″ quad-HD panel, that is curved every so slightly, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+. Spec-wise, the device runs an octa-core Snapdragon 808 processor with 3GB of ram and 32GB of internal storage. Storage is expandable via microSD up to 2TB, assuming you ever find cards with that much storage.

Powering the device is a relatively large 3,140 mAh battery and it also runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop out of the box. The bonus feature is that the PRIV comes with a host of BlackBerry productivity apps including a unified Hub.

In terms of optics, the device features an 18-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and a dual-LED flash. It is also certified by Schneider-Kreuznach. Unfortunately, the PRIV only receives a 2-megapixel selfie-panorama front facing camera for selfies, which we’re sure may disappoint some. However, cameras aren’t all about optics, so we will have to see how good this 2MP shooter is.

Many expect the PRIV to be a game changer as it is supposed to bring the best of both Android and BlackBerry operating systems together in a premium device. Well, it certainly has to be a game changer because BlackBerry CEO has stated that the company is relying heavily on the PRIV to do well for them to stay afloat.

If you want to get your hands on this device, you can preorder the PRIV at a discounted price of RM3,388 for the first 60 customers on 11street.my, or head over to any Celcom Blue Cube outlets to preorder for the same price until the 14th of December. Alternatively, you can try your luck with 11street’s shocking bid from as low as RM1.

The device will be available from 15 December onwards and will retail for RM3,559. That’s a hefty price to pay for this device, no matter how premium. Would you shell out that kind of money for this device? If you’re uncertain and want a closer look at this device, check out our first impressions article here.