BlackBerry, once a titan of the mobile world, has released several devices attempting to recapture its former glory. Today, we pit two of them against each other: the flagship Priv with its slider design and the more budget-friendly Evolve X. Let's see which phone offers the best experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BlackBerry Priv boasts a significantly more powerful processor and a unique slider design, but the Evolve X offers a more modern software experience and potentially better value. The Priv's battery endurance is impressive, but the Evolve X's Snapdragon 660 provides a smoother, more efficient experience overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA (STV100-1), Europe (STV100-4) | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 20, 29, 30 - USA (STV100-1) | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20, 28 - Europe (STV100-4) | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, October. Released 2015, November | 2018, August. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic/aluminum back, aluminum frame (7000 series) |
| Dimensions | 147 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm (5.79 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) | 159.1 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm (6.26 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 170 g (5.93 oz) |
| | Capacitive touch 4-row BlackBerry keyboard | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~540 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.4 inches, 81.6 cm2 (~71.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.99 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~75.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | Curved edge screen | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 418 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.8", 1.29µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, 2х optical zoom, PDAF |
| Features | Schneider-Kreuznach optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 18 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/2.4", PDAF, OIS | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (SlimPort 4K) | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, altimeter, gyro, ToF proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) | 18W wired, PD2.0, QC3
Wireless (Qi) |
| Music play | Up to 73 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 420 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 24 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3410 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | STV100-4, STV100-3, STV100-1, V100, STV100-2 | - |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 62h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
BlackBerry Priv
- Powerful Snapdragon 808 processor
- Unique slider design with physical keyboard
- Excellent battery life (62h endurance)
- Vibrant OLED display
- Older software and potential lack of updates
- Camera is outdated
- Bulky design
- Can be difficult to find in good condition
BlackBerry Evolve X
- More modern software experience
- Efficient Snapdragon 660 processor
- Larger display for media consumption
- Potentially better availability and support
- Less powerful than the Priv
- IPS LCD display not as vibrant as OLED
- Camera not exceptional
- No physical keyboard
Display Comparison
The Priv features a 5.4-inch dual-curved OLED display, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Evolve X has a 6.2-inch IPS LCD display. While the Evolve X is larger, the Priv's OLED technology generally provides a superior viewing experience in terms of contrast and color accuracy. The Evolve X's larger size might be preferable for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is a mixed bag. The Priv's camera was decent for its time, but modern smartphone cameras have surpassed it. The Evolve X's camera, while not exceptional, benefits from newer image processing algorithms and generally produces better results in various lighting conditions. Both phones lack advanced camera features found in contemporary devices.
Performance
The Priv's Snapdragon 808, while older, is still a capable processor. However, the Evolve X's Snapdragon 660 offers a more efficient and generally smoother experience, especially in multitasking and modern apps. The Evolve X's octa-core architecture also provides a slight edge in sustained performance.
Battery Life
The Priv's 3400mAh battery, combined with the Snapdragon 808's efficiency, delivers exceptional endurance, as evidenced by its 62-hour endurance rating. The Evolve X's battery is likely smaller (around 3700mAh estimated), but the Snapdragon 660's efficiency helps it maintain a respectable battery life, though not as impressive as the Priv.
Buying Guide
The BlackBerry Priv is for those who prioritize raw power, a physical keyboard, and a premium feel, even if it means dealing with an older device. The BlackBerry Evolve X is ideal for users seeking a reliable, modern smartphone with a good balance of features and affordability, and a focus on software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the BlackBerry Priv still worth buying?
It depends. If you value a physical keyboard and exceptional battery life, and don't mind an older device, it can be. However, software updates are a concern.
❓ Does the BlackBerry Evolve X receive software updates?
Historically, BlackBerry's update support has been limited. Check current support status before purchasing.
