BlackBerry DTEK50
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“With its slightly awkwardly named DTEK50, BlackBerry probably has the most secure Android smartphone at the starting line. The strengthened Android 6.0 Marshmallow runs encrypted, does not permit any code injections, and only launches when the bootloader has not been compromised. In addition, the aptly named DTEK app scans for suspicious activities on the smartphone and provides suggestions on how to make the handset even safer. The manufacturer's update policy also shows just how serious BlackBerry takes its security approach. BlackBerry aims to react to cyber threats much faster than the competition and proved this recently with the very quickly released patch for the QuadRooter security vulnerability. However, why the DTEK50 is not equipped with a fingerprint scanner will remain to be the manufacturer's secret.”
“BlackBerry's DTEK50 is nothing particularly special, and it's a little underpowered to boot. There's no particular reason to buy it over any other competent Android phone, even a notably cheaper one like the Moto G4.”
“The BlackBerry DTEK50 is a good phone. Above average, even. But we can’t fully recommend it because of the way BlackBerry is marketing it. The perhaps incorrect status quo is that people don’t want to worry about security, they just want a phone that works. Security flaws on huge scales are largely down to external database hacks, not device vulnerabilities. The DTEK50 is a good phone at a good price, but it isn’t different enough to drag BlackBerry back into smartphone relevance.”
“The Blackberry claims that the DTEK50 is the world’s most secure smartphone, and if security is your number one priority, Blackberry’s second attempt at Android won’t let you down. However, it falls short in a lot areas that prevent it from being a great smartphone.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
It’s no secret that BlackBerry doesn’t enjoy the success it once had. In their latest attempt to get back in the smartphone market, BlackBerry handed off device design to another company to freshen up their line-up. Touting the world’s most secure smartphone is quite a claim, but with security concerns out of the way, is the handset worth owning?
The reviews are rolling in and we’ve dug through them all to bring you this summary!
Reviews on the phone’s aluminum-lined design are positive. And with good reason–the phone’s shell is essentially a modified Alcatel Idol 4. The only complaints about the device was button placement. Many reviewers found the placement of the power button awkward.
Flipping around to the front of the phone, you’re greeted to a blank glass slate. Thin bezels help the keep the phone slim and trim and front-facing stereo speakers offer a boost to the media experience. Phonescoop noted, “[Audio] quality is good enough that you can probably skip using a Bluetooth speaker in small quarters.”
The 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display also received plenty of praise. Multiple reviewers pointed out how bright the screen was the excellent visibility in bright lighting. Phonescoop said, “The LCD panel offers excellent viewing angles. Text, images, icons, and web sites are sharp and free of pixelated edges. It’s a fine display.” While 1080p might not cut it for VR usage, it’s more than enough for daily tasks when paired with the smaller display.
To keep your apps and games humming along, BlackBerry went with an eight-core Snapdragon 617 with 3GB of RAM. Overall performance is solid, even with gaming. Reviews noted that apps loaded quickly and multitasking wasn’t a problem. Some reviewers noted minor stuttering at random times. Pocket Lint described the experience, saying, “Most of the time the DTEK50 runs smoothly. However, at least once or twice during a single stint of use, the phone has paused or frozen for a couple of seconds before continuing with its tasks.”
BlackBerry kept changes to the Android 6.0 software to a minimum apart from a few privacy additions. Reviewers particularly loved their approach to widgets. They also enjoyed the DTEK app for auditing security tweaking app permissions on the phone. BlackBerry claims the phone will be the most secure smartphone in the world, thanks to monthly security updates and zero day patches.
One other addition caught reviewers by surprise–the BlackBerry keyboard app. Reviewers raved about the accuracy and customization options. If you’re a frequent texter or use your phone for email and writing, the keyboard might be worth a look.
Media junkies will find plenty to love about the phone. While it only offers 16GB of internal storage, the microSD slot lets you add up to 2TB of storage space.
The phone’s 2610mAh battery is sealed, so you can’t swap it out if you’re running low. However, support for Quick Charge 2.0 offers a half charge in just 30 minutes. Unfortunately, you must spend more to take advantage of this feature as BlackBerry does not include a QC2.0 charger with the phone. Little was mentioned on battery life in reviews–though no one mentioned any problems either.
While the DTEK50 won’t replace your DSLR, reviews on the 13MP rear camera and 8MP front-facing lens are decent. The rear camera features an f/2.0 lens and two-tone flash for greater color accuracy. The front-facing lens includes a flash for making the most of your selfies or late night Skype sessions. Phonescoop took the camera out in the city and said, “I’d say most people will be happy to use the DTEK50 for everyday photo and video needs. It can handle most ordinary shooting environments.”
Reviews on BlackBerry’s latest phone are good if not leaning toward blandly average. The only questionable issue is the price. Pocket Lint summed up opinions well, saying, “The only thing the BlackBerry DTEK50 really has going for it is the added security. And if protecting your information and keeping an eye on your phone’s vulnerabilities is invaluable to you, then the less-than-perfect hardware is definitely a cross worth bearing.”
What people actually want to know
When was the BlackBerry DTEK50 released?
The BlackBerry DTEK50 was released on August 8, 2016.
How long does the battery last on the BlackBerry DTEK50?
The BlackBerry DTEK50 has a 2,610 mAh battery.
Does the BlackBerry DTEK50 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the BlackBerry DTEK50 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the BlackBerry DTEK50 have NFC?
Yes, the BlackBerry DTEK50 has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I download the BlackBerry DTEK50 manual?
You can view and download the BlackBerry DTEK50 manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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