BlackBerry Leap

“The BlackBerry Leap might not be the value-for money hit that will tempt thousands of Android users to switch, but it's not without its niche. Those that aren't installing too many apps and would appreciate a new experience then you might give it a second look. And if you are BlackBerry faithful that's yet to experience the full-touch version of BlackBerry 10, the Leap is a decent starting point.”

“Were this an Android phone, it could be written off as an affordable handset that any budget-conscious user could make do with to stay connected. That doesn’t fly here, simply because this is a BlackBerry, a platform fewer and fewer people are using nowadays.Still, it’s reasonable to view it in the same light as other smartphones in its price range. For $275 unlocked and non-contract at ShopBlackBerry.com and Amazon, it doesn’t break the bank, though competition is stiff in that ballpark. Motorola’s Moto G (2014) is one of the best mid-range phones, and is available now for $180. The Moto G doesn’t offer LTE speeds like the Leap does, so that can be a big difference if having the fastest connection matters.The Leap is more of the same from BlackBerry, but it offers an entry point for users seeking a tool rather than a toy at a price they can afford. Those desiring a BlackBerry with more disposable income and greater expectations are better served with the Passport or Classic, but the ones who don’t should manage fine with the Leap, or even the Z30.”

“There are several things to like about the BlackBerry Leap, including its long battery life, surprisingly good camera and the productivity afforded by BB10 OS. The handset isn’t without issues, though. It can be cumbersome to use due to its size, its 720p display is of substandard quality, and even some of the most popular apps aren’t available on the BB10 platform directly. And, almost unforgivably, the phone makes do with aging internals, making it identical on the inside to the two-year-old BlackBerry Z10. Frankly, it’s impossible to recommend the Leap over cheaper handsets with superior specifications and more consumer-friendly platforms. As a work phone, the Leap will more than cut it, but if you’re looking for a personal device that isn’t solely for keeping up with email, you can do better.”

“The BlackBerry Leap looks and feels like a professional device, and packs all of the native security functionality that we've come to expect from BlackBerry. But if BlackBerry hopes to lure new users, or entice lapsed BlackBerry fans back into the fold, it's going to need to offer features that are competitive with competing platforms. It hasn't been successful on the app front, even with the inclusion of the Amazon app store. And the omission of a physical keyboard leaves out a feature that folks can't really get anywhere else.If you don't care about the keyboard or the dearth of apps, there's also the matter of price: the Leap's dated processor, 720p display and lackluster cameras don't match up to its $275 price tag. Consider the $250Alcatel One Touch Idol 3 (that's £163, or AU $322), which boasts better performance, a better camera and a 1080p display. The Lumia 640 XL LTE offers a rather nice camera, and while Windows Phone will see you facing the same lack-of-apps conundrum, it's available for $240, £219 in the UK and AU$399 in Australia.The Leap is a fine device -- if the IT department at your next corporate job hands you one of these, you won't be disappointed. But unless there's some particular bit of BlackBerry functionality you can't get anywhere else, and you hate physical keyboards, you'll be better picking up a phone on a more robust platform.”