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Harry asked: “I have a 3G phone, a Samsung Gusto 3 but I want to use 4G and I have Verizon and I can use the unlimited data for the internet on my computer. I’m thinking of getting the Blackberry Priv. because it has keys on it. I can’t use a touchscreen. My question is, should I get the phone right now, or should I wait to get it? I don’t really need it at the moment, because I have home internet through an ISP. But if my bill goes any higher I won’t be able to afford the internet, then I can use the unlimited data from Verizon with the PRIV. What would you do if you were me? Would you get it now? I’m afraid if I wait too long, they won’t have that phone anymore.”
Harry, while it’s a little hard to recommend the Priv right now, we have to admit that compared to the Gusto which is a flip phone, the difference will be very noticeable.
Here’s the problem with the Priv: it was released in 2015, it didn’t sell as well as Blackberry was hoping it would, they cut sales targets by about 150,000 units, and haven’t really talked about a refresh since.
That may not seem that important, but keep in mind that back when this phone was released the reigning iPhone was the 6S line, after which Apple introduced the SE and then then 7 line. When this phone was being released the reigning Samsung was the S6, since then the S7 and S8 have been introduced. Google wasn’t even in the business of making Pixel phones yet.
The industry moves fast and the Priv is being left behind.
Having said that, you want a keyboard and your options for phones with hard keys are basically non-existent if you rule out the Priv.
The industry moves fast and the Priv is being left behind.
If you can get a good price on it and not pay with a competing manufacturer would charge for their flagships, it may not be a terrible choice for you. If nothing else you will notice an unbelievable difference when you compare it to the Gusto 3.
Keep in mind that this is likely to be your last phone with physical keys, that feature has been almost completely abandoned already. If you don’t mind trying to jump straight onto glass keyboards, you can get better deals than the Priv these days.
A warning about Verizon, since you mention you have them as your wireless provider. Since they introduced their new “unlimited” plan, they are aggressively terminating the old grandfathered unlimited plans for customers that are not under contract. In February of 2017, Verizon sent 8200 termination letters to those kind of customers.
Their new “unlimited” plan does allow for hotspot tethering of computers but puts a limit of 10GB per month on it. If you don’t do a lot of data transfer, then this would still work for you, but if you’re looking for truly unlimited Internet data, you need to do all that you can in retaining your old plan with them.
We will provide a link to a web page where someone else has done all the heavy lifting on the ins and outs of keeping your plan. Just come to our website at intotomorrow.com and look for the show notes for the weekend of March 31st. Good luck!