BlackBerry launches Android 6.0-powered DTEK50; boasts of being the most secure Android smartphone

BlackBerry has been wishing to get back into the Android-game ever since its competitors released inexpensive alternatives to their flagships. We had reported that BlackBerry is going to launch three new Android smartphones in the next one year, and the first one has just arrived.

The first of the three Android-based smartphones is the DTEK50, or codenamed Neon under development stage. The naming to us makes no sense, but it looks like the company is not going ahead with fancy names like the Bold, Priv, Storm and Passport.If you’re not aware of the BlackBerry DTEK app, you might not understand the philosophy behind naming this phone DTEK50. DTEK is an Android app developed by the company to help users monitor their phone security network, track logging events and get notifications in case of an unusual activity. The app has been designed to allow users to be aware of their smartphone’s security capabilities.The company claims that this is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone yet, at 7.4mm, and the most secure Android smartphone yet, that allows you to control what you have on your phone. Android OS is famous for its insecure sharing and open source function that are vulnerable to attacks.

Let’s take a look at the specifications –

• 5.2’’ scratch-resistant full-HD display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor coupled with 3GB RAM and 16GB ROM
• 13MP primary autofocus camera and an 8MP front-facing camera
• Android 6.0 Marshmallow out-of-the-box
• 2,610 mAh battery with Quick Charge 2.0

In addition to these, BlackBerry DTEK50 will also come with some preinstalled apps such as the BlackBerry Hub, DTEK, Password Keeper, BBM, BlackBerry Calendar, and more. The smartphone doesn’t seem to offer anything out-of-the-box, except the occasional mention of it being the most secure Android smartphone.

The phone also comes with a BlackBerry convenience key that allows users to quickly gain access to most used apps and tasks. BlackBerry has also installed an intelligent keyboard that learns the user’s typing speed and accuracy and uses this information to improve the typing speed. The on-screen keyboard is similar to the one seen in Priv.

What’s the hype about DTEK/Security?

BlackBerry claims that Android smartphones are vulnerable to attacks and hackers which can cause serious damage to the users. Making it the most important feature in the phone, the company has installed the app DTEK for users to keep a check on their smartphones.

The company’s blog states, “Our manufacturing process builds security into the device from the start, and we’ve taken a number of measures such as OS hardening to protect against rooting and to make it more difficult for attackers to target you.”

BlackBerry also claims that even in case of a software bug, the company will release the security patches almost instantaneously to its customers. DTEK will keep checking your phone’s security and suggest you in case you have a security flaw in your phone.

To be honest, it seems more like a gimmick than an actual upgrade. Such softwares are already available in the market, and have innumerable features that can allow you to control your smartphone’s privacy. BlackBerry touts it as the most secure Android smartphone, and there is no evidence that an attack is equally likely on DTEK50.

Final thoughts on the phone

BlackBerry does one thing much better than the rest – designing. The phone looks beautiful from all angles, and has a minimal design that does not seem to have been overdone, like Samsung’s phones.

The company has priced the smartphone at $299, or roughly Rs. 20,000, which seems to be the medium-high smartphone range. The phone is available in US, Canada, and a few European countries right now, and we’re hoping that it will come to the Indian shores soon.

Looking at the price, the phone seems to lack a few features like fingerprint sensor which relatively cheaper smartphones also have. The company could have also offered a bigger internal memory, because the days of 16GB are over. OnePlus 2 is available at a similar price, but offers more features and customisability.

BlackBerry has finally expanded to the lower segments in a desperate attempt to increase its sales and revenues. The phone looks promising overall, and should help BlackBerry hold its foot in the market for some time now.

Source: BBblog