BlackBerry KEYOne vs DTEK60 vs Priv comparison review: We compare Blackberry’s all-new KEYOne handset, freshly launched at MWC 2017, with the biggest Android phones from recent years, the DTEK60 and the Priv. What’s the difference in terms of specs, features, camera tech and performance?
Blackberry has just launched its first Android phone of 2017, the Blackberry KEYOne, which is the first BlackBerry handset in yonks not crafted by the Canadian company. Packing some impressive specs and the usual awesome BB features, the KEYOne is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing mobiles of the year.
But how does the KEYOne compare with the DTEK60 from 2016 and the Blackberry Priv from 2015, two other premium Android phones from BlackBerry? Here’s our full Blackberry KEYOne vs DTEK60 vs Priv comparison review.
Blackberry KEYOne vs DTEK50 vs Priv: Specs at a glance
| Phone | Blackberry Priv | Blackberry DTEK60 | Blackberry KEYOne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 5.4-inch | 5.5-inch | 4.5-inch |
| Screen resolution | 2560×1440 | 2560×1440 | 1620×1080 |
| Weight | 192g | 165g | TBC |
| Physical keyboard? | Yes | No | Yes |
| Fingerprint sensor? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistant? | No | No | No |
| Processor | Snapdragon 808 | Snapdragon 820 | Snapdragon 625 |
| Memory | 3GB | 4GB | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB | 32GB | 32GB |
| MicroSD? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 3410mAh | 3000mAh | 3505mAh |
| Rear camera | 18MP | 21MP | 12MP |
| Front camera | 2MP | 8MP | 8MP |
KEYOne vs DTEK60 vs Priv: Design and keyboard
These three phones might all rock the BlackBerry name, but they sport very different designs too.
The Priv was BlackBerry’s first full Android phone and it was a beast too, sporting a full QWERTY keyboard hidden away beneath the 5.4-inch screen. Just slide that screen up and the board is exposed. As a result, the Priv was a seriously chunky monkey and pretty hefty at close to 200g.
Perhaps to slim things down and cut the cost, BlackBerry did away with the physical keyboard for the DTEK60. Instead you have BlackBerry’s excellent virtual keyboard for typing, something also found on the Priv as an alternative option. The DTEK60 is significantly more slender than the Priv, and lighter too at 165g. We also find the DTEK60 more comfortable to clutch, thanks to its curved design.
The KEYOne brings back the keyboard for 2017, but this time it’s housed beneath a compact 4.5-inch screen. Squashing both the display and the board onto the front of the phone means it’s quite a bulky blower, but certainly a sleek one too. An aluminium frame wraps around the edged of the handset, sandwiched between a glass front and soft-touch rear for improved grip.
KEYOne vs DTEK60 vs Priv: OS and features
All three of these phones boast a brilliant mash-up of Android and BB10 OS, which we really do adore. You get all of the benefits of full Android Nougat, including access to the Google Play Store and plenty of useful tools for working on the move. But you also get the best parts of BB’s business-oriented OS, including a hub for all of your messages and notifications.
Read next: Ten ways BlackBerry has made Android better
BlackBerry is serious when it comes to security too. All three phones boast BlackBerry’s DTEK security suite which gives you a simple summary of how crime-proof your handset is, as well as tips to make the handset more secure.
However, the DTEK60 and KEYOne are the only phones to give you a fingerprint sensor, for quickly and safely unlocking to your desktops. With the Priv, you’re stuck with old-fashioned methods like PIN entry.
KEYOne vs DTEK60 vs Priv: Screen and media
All three BlackBerry phones here rock a Quad HD screen (or in the KEYOne’s case, a truncated version at least), for pin-sharp visuals.
The DTEK60 boasts the biggest display here at 5.5-inches, and it’s a solid AMOLED panel producing punchy colours. Contrast levels could be stronger, but that spacious screen is still an enjoyable way of taking in a movie on the go.
Only a mite smaller is the Priv’s 5.4-inch AMOLED screen, which again is crisp and colourful. Then we have the KEYOne, which packs a much more compact 4.5-inch IPS display. What’s more, the KEYOne’s 3:2 aspect ratio means that it’s quite square in shape compared with the Priv and the DTEK60.
And while that’s fine for apps and the rest, it does mean media fans will have to cope with some serious letterboxing and a significantly smaller image.
All three BlackBerry phones come with expandable storage. You can slip a microSD memory card up to 256GB in size into any of these handsets, to carry around a huge media collection.
KEYOne vs DTEK60 vs Priv: Performance and battery life
The Priv is starting to show its age these days, and that Snapdragon 808 processor occasionally struggles to keep up. It’s still relatively capable, but if you’re after a long-term investment, we’d suggest looking to one of the other BB phones in this comparison.
We’re still very happy with the silky smooth everyday experience offered by the DTEK60 and its Snapdragon 820 chipset, backed by 4GB of RAM. The latest games pose no problem at all, and the phone is suitably future-proofed.
As for the shiny new KEYOne, you sadly don’t get one of Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon processor packed inside. Rather, the more budget-friendly 625 is wedged inside that gorgeous aluminium frame. You can still expect smooth performance, but given the price we’d have preferred to see the Snapdragon 821, to provide a step up from the DTEK60.
All three phones supply 24 hours of battery life per charge, although we’re yet to fully test the KEYOne. You get Quick Charge 3.0 support with BlackBerry’s new blower, so it can charge to half capacity in just half an hour.
KEYOne vs DTEK60 vs Priv: Cameras
The KEYOne should be one of the best smartphone snappers of early 2017 thanks to its Sony-manufactured 12-megapixel rear camera. This is the same shooter found on the Google Pixel phone, which means excellent performance in almost any conditions.
However, the KEYOne maxes out at Full HD video, while the other phones here can record in 4K resolution. And we’re still happy with the camera tech found on the Priv and DTEK60, which is more than strong enough for everyday shots. Only the Priv’s rather basic 2-megapixel selfie camera really falls short.