“Is it any good?”
This is the central concern (other than cost) for people looking at a new service, product or technology purchase – no one wants to waste their time and money.
In the world of technology, the pace of product releases can make it difficult to properly assess the value of a device firsthand. So we turn to reviews.
We’ve cited many reviews for both the BlackBerry Passport and BlackBerry Classic (check HERE for a roundup of written news and reviews related to the two devices arriving at AT&T, with many links included to prior global roundups) – but we haven’t really aggregated video reviews so far.
Time to remedy that, in a list of some of the best videos detailing the virtues of the BlackBerry Passport, with one for the BlackBerry Classic to follow.
Grab some popcorn, because there are a lot of videos.
“One of the Best Enterprise Devices We’ve Ever Used”
MobileSyrup’s Daniel Bader says the BlackBerry Passport is ultimately “a BlackBerry, through-and-through.”
“You get BBM, you get a great email experience, you get an amazing keyboard, and for the first time, you get a really fantastic camera and an amazing screen. John Chen was right – BlackBerry is back, and it’s a lot more focused than it ever was. This is one of the best enterprise devices we’ve ever used.”
“A Solid Phone with some Great Software Ideas”
Michael Kukielka of the DetroitBORG tech review channel presents a solid, in-depth review with excellent HD quality and professional narration.
“There is a lot to like about the BlackBerry Passport,” Kukielka says. “The form factor is surprisingly comfortable to use, and fits well in the pocket. The [screen is] good for websites [and it has] a nice, robust design, with stereo speakers, a bright, vivid display, solid cameras and excellent battery life [and the QWERTY keyboard. A solid phone with some great software ideas that actually work pretty well.”
“For [Productivity], the Passport is Better than the iPhone 6 Plus”
PhoneDog’s ever-reliable Cam Bunton decided to pit the BlackBerry Passport against the iPhone 6 Plus.
“Of the two phones, the Passport is the one that feels the most sturdy – the most durable,” Bunton asserts. “It’s one of the best-looking phones, even if it is one of the most unusual-looking phones on the market. It feels incredibly solid, the keys are really well-made on the front . . . [I]t looks like a really classy package that’s gonna last you forever.”
Bunton also says the BlackBerry takes the cake in terms of the battery and overall UI speed, as for its purpose as a productivity device, he says this:
“BlackBerry created the Passport for a very specific group of people, who want a very long battery life, a great physical keyboard, a productive phone that’s fantastic for editing emails and documents. For all that stuff, the Passport is easily better than the iPhone 6 Plus.”
See his whole comparison here:
PhoneDog also has an entire BlackBerry Passport playlist, where you can find video’s from Bunton’s 30-day BlackBerry Passport challenge.
Here’s the conclusion of that challenge:
“A Charming Device”
“Oh my God, finally – it’s the BlackBerry Passport! And you know what? I like it,” says Lisa Gade of MobileTechReview. “It’s different, certainly, and in this day and age where anything goes . . . it’s really a charming device.”
“The Experience of Using this Device is Quite Nice”
Vlogger Erica Griffin, who calls herself “The Technology Nerd Who Likes to Film Stuff,” gave herself a BlackBerry challenge: to try the device for a week as her daily driver and see how she like it.
While initially skeptical, she was pleasantly surprised.
Here’s her humorous unboxing video:
“I ended up liking how vast and wide the display is, especially when scrolling through web pages,” says Griffin. “I recommend it for being a real tool for productivity . . . The experience of using this device is quite nice.”
Watch her recount her week-plus with the BlackBerry Passport below:
“An Out-and-Out Powerhouse”
“[BlackBerry] is at the start of a new era, and they aim to return and win back the hearts of many,” says Clove’s Jon Love. “BlackBerry Passport is an out-and-out powerhouse, and it’s designed to impress . . .The Passport is for those who just want to get stuff done . . . If I was on a business trip or conference, I would take the Passport . . . I’ve been impressed and warmed to BlackBerry again.”
“Tech Media got it Wrong”
Liron Segev, who goes as “The Techie Guy,” takes issue with Passport reviews from mainstream journalists he says are too wrapped up in iOS or Android and aren’t familiar with BlackBerry’s latest.
“I really think BlackBerry has done a very good job with this device,” he says. “I think the fact that it has a different shape [and] does so much might actually get people to pay attention.”
Going Back for Seconds
Video blogger Karl Conrad of PhoneArena had a similar situation, where he was proven wrong on his initial assumptions, since he hadn’t realized just how productive the phone was.
Pricing and Availability
You can get your factory-unlocked BlackBerry Passport from ShopBlackBerry.com at these links:
Black (currently $599, regular $699)
White (currently $599, regular $699)
…and at Amazon HERE, with AT&T offering it for $649.99 unsubsidized or $199.99 with a 2-year contract. The BlackBerry Passport is also available in Canada via Rogers for $249 and Telus (for as low as $150 up front) and other carriers.
For those outside the North American market, you can get your BlackBerry Passport directly from us at our global shopping portal HERE.
(Check with your local carrier for device compatibility)
Remember – the BlackBerry Passport has a battery capacity that exceeds all rivals in milliamp hours:*
| Runtime | |
| BlackBerry Passport | 30 hours |
| Samsung Galaxy S5 | 23 hours |
| iPhone 6 | 21 hours |
| iPhone 6 Plus | 25 hours |
(*Based on third-party lab testing sponsored by BlackBerry, under 4G and 3G wireless conditions, using a mixed-usage profile. Results will vary by carrier and network conditions.)
Do you have an unboxing video or video review up? Share it with us in the comments below!
