BlackBerry launches Android-powered Priv smartphone at Rs 62,990

NEW DELHI: BlackBerry, the Canadian enterprise solution provider and smartphone maker, has launched its first ever Android OS powered by smartphone, Priv, in India, and priced it at Rs 62,990.

The device will be available from January 30, 2016

The Android smartphone, which comes equipped with security and productivity features, was originally launched by BlackBerry in western markets in November last year.



Damian Tay, senior director, APAC product management at BlackBerry, said that the company has kept near stock Android to provide frequent software updates from Google.

Tay added the Android Marshmallow update will bring more security features.

The Android 5.1.1 run BlackBerry Priv comes with a 5.4-inch QHD display. It is powered by a hexa-core (1.8GHz dual core + 1.44GHz quad core) Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 SoC alongside 3GB of RAM.

The BlackBerry Priv features 32GB internal storage, which is expandable up to 2TB via a microSD card - and is powered by a massive 3410 mAh battery.

The device features an 18-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front shooter.



BlackBerry said that the Priv smartphone has been well received since its launch globally, the company is now expanding distribution to additional carriers around the world in the next coming quarters.

BlackBerry CEO John Chen recently said that company may launch two new Android phones in 2016, but that the possibilities rest on the success of the Priv smartphone.

While asked about future BlackBerry phones running on Android, Chen told CNET, "so far, so good. I'm taking a cautiously optimistic view."