BlackBerry Priv

Been eyeing the Priv since the 1st pics and rumours started surfacing. Had a range of different mobiles in the past, and the Priv is a phone I really liked, as it's unique.

Currently own a Google Nexus 6 and love it. due for an upgrade, so will go in store and get the Priv hopefully if there's stock. Vodacom in Sandton told me no stock as it's discontinued.

I heard reviews of the Priv getting hot etc. Are these sorted out with latest updates?
Wonder if Android 7 would EVER reach the Priv.
 
Been reading and they say that it is likely to get 7.

Also, phone does get hot when running some apps including maps. But that doesn't bother me.

Chiefly wanted it for the physical keyboard but I rarely use it. Still nice to have.

Love the phone. And curved edge.
 
I've been looking out for a used one of these for the last few weeks. If I can get something for a decent price, I'll definitely give it a shot!
 
My Priv is being delivered tomorrow. Yay! I got it for R5999 on Takealot. Sweet deal I couldn't resist.
 
JAM007 said:
Been eyeing the Priv since the 1st pics and rumours started surfacing. Had a range of different mobiles in the past, and the Priv is a phone I really liked, as it's unique.

Currently own a Google Nexus 6 and love it. due for an upgrade, so will go in store and get the Priv hopefully if there's stock. Vodacom in Sandton told me no stock as it's discontinued.

I heard reviews of the Priv getting hot etc. Are these sorted out with latest updates?
Wonder if Android 7 would EVER reach the Priv.
Click to expand...

Priv available at Game stores on Vodacom.Upgrade and new contracts
 
Are there any Cell C PRIV users on here? If so, has your PRIV received the December (2016) security update?

If any of the MTN / Vodacom PRIV users could check their settings | about phone | android security patch level I would be most grateful.

Factory unlocked PRIVs all received this on December 3 already, which is fantastic. Carrier phones usually have to wait longer.

P.S. I bought the Takealot special, turns out it's ex-Cell C stock that has been carrier unlocked. Great price for great device, only issue is that it's dependent on Cell C for vetting the Android updates that Google and BlackBerry push. I have not been able to find out what Cell C's schedule and protocol is for this.

My PRIV is on the November 6 security patch level.

If you would like to know more about the terrible state of Android security, you can read this blog post of mine: https://cpbotha.net/2016/11/27/android-security-in-2016-is-a-mess/
 
Last edited:
cpbotha said:
Are there any Cell C PRIV users on here? If so, has your PRIV received the December (2016) security update?

If any of the MTN / Vodacom PRIV users could check their settings | about phone | android security patch level I would be most grateful.

Factory unlocked PRIVs all received this on December 3 already, which is fantastic. Carrier phones usually have to wait longer.

P.S. I bought the Takealot special, turns out it's ex-Cell C stock that has been carrier unlocked. Great price for great device, only issue is that it's dependent on Cell C for vetting the Android updates that Google and BlackBerry push. I have not been able to find out what Cell C's schedule and protocol is for this.

My PRIV is on the November 6 security patch level.

If you would like to know more about the terrible state of Android security, you can read this blog post of mine: https://cpbotha.net/2016/11/27/android-security-in-2016-is-a-mess/
Click to expand...
Vodacom Priv user.

Also 6 November 2016 Android Security patch level. I do usually get the updates about a week to two weeks later than when I see they are available.
 
New world in menlyn Pretoria has the muvit flip covers which are decent and the clear back plastic covers which are terrible not worth it at all. They get scratched so easily is not even funny. They also have the gel screen protector's that they cut themselves. I am quite happy with mine. Its not tempered glass but its better than nothing.
 
cenredash said:
Vodacom Priv user.

Also 6 November 2016 Android Security patch level. I do usually get the updates about a week to two weeks later than when I see they are available.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much for this data point!

As far as I can see, the December update has not yet rolled out on the Cell C network. (I bought and activated a Cell C SIM specifically to be able to test this.)
 
ahoudet said:
Got my Priv. Now just looking for a cover
Click to expand...

I bit the bullet and ordered the official BlackBerry black nappa leather pocket from Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016E1E6AS/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$20 for the item + $24 shipping (the 7 to 12 day option IIRC) and import duties, coming to R646 (ouch).

In spite of the price, I am super happy with the cover. Phone is protected, automatically switches on / off, and most of the time I can use it "naked", i.e. no flip cover that gets in my way.
 
cpbotha said:
Thanks very much for this data point!

As far as I can see, the December update has not yet rolled out on the Cell C network. (I bought and activated a Cell C SIM specifically to be able to test this.)
Click to expand...

December security patch updates are being sent today to Android powered BlackBerry smartphones in S.Africa
 
Last edited:
Tahir Ally said:
December security patch updates are being sent today to Android powered BlackBerry smartphones in S.Africa
Click to expand...

My PRIV is downloading this now, without me having to resort to the Cell C SIM.

Could you please help me understand this? BlackBerry support explained that Cell C is specifically responsible for vetting updates to this phone (they checked the IMEI in their database), and Google documentation of the Android update process for carrier phones seems to support this.

How does it work that all South African BB PRIV phones are getting the update on the same day? Are the carriers working together, or is there some other mechanism?
 
If you are using WiFi, then you surely don't need the carrier, then upgrade should come from Google
 
Robertvv said:
If you are using WiFi, then you surely don't need the carrier, then upgrade should come from Google
Click to expand...

If only.. only iPhones and Google's own phones (Nexus and Pixels) do that.

The rest are either factory unlocked, and wait for their own manufacturer to send the modified update back to Google, and the most are carrier stock, where locked or unlocked, also the carrier gets a turn to modify the update and send it back.

See http://www.htc.com/us/go/htc-software-updates-process/ and http://www.howtogeek.com/163958/why-do-carriers-delay-updates-for-android-but-not-iphone/ -- there's much more online.

I would still like to find out more about the specific situation with South African carriers and carrier stock PRIVs.
 
BlackBerry rolled out the January 5 2017 Android security patch to their factory unlocked devices on January 3, which is two days early: http://forums.crackberry.com/blackb...january-5th-sec-fixes-way-bb-devices-1096418/

There are a number of critical security vulnerabilities patched by this update, so it is quite serious. See http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2017-01-01.html for details.

The December 2016 update rolled out two weeks later down here in SA, so let's see how much later we get the January 2017 update.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X