BlackBerry DTEK50
Specifications
Secondary Camera: 8 MPix f2.0 lens, 84-Grad wide-angle objective, 1.125 μm pixel size, selfie flash, image and video stabilizer
Pricecompare
Average of 24 scores (from 39 reviews)
Reviews for the BlackBerry DTEK50
Fort Knox. BlackBerry advertises its 5.2-inch DTEK50 as the most secure Android smartphone in the world. Consequently, the mid-range handset comes with an impressive selection of security features; nevertheless it is just as easy to handle as a standard Android device.
Source: Yugatech Archive.org version
The BlackBerry DTEK50 is currently the cheapest offering from the brand. It’s got decent specs with a few misses for power users but its reduced price tag from its flagship, the Priv, is significant. It’s not officially available in the Philippines yet but Widget City is offering it at Php13,500.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/07/2016
Source: The Verge Archive.org version
But is being saddled with a boring phone worth those frequent security patches? Only if you’re very worried about falling victim to whatever treacherous Android malware threat will make headlines next. And even then, you can probably shop around and find the better, faster Priv for $300 and retain the physical keyboard that is BlackBerry’s heart and soul. The DTEK50 is secure, sure, but it’s underwhelming in most every other regard. If BlackBerry could only marry that security with better hardware, then it’d have a far more compelling package. Until then, it fails to stand out in a competitive field of midrange smartphones.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/29/2016
Rating: Total score: 67% performance: 60% display: 70% mobility: 60% workmanship: 70%
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
The DTEK50 is a mid-range phone that goes the distance, it's just not the best in class. There are cooler, more desirable handsets in this price bracket, some of which we've mentioned in more detail below.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/19/2016
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: V3.co.uk Archive.org version
Neither phone can easily be mistaken for a BlackBerry, but you could argue that the Priv with its slide-out Qwerty keyboard comes nearest. If a physical keyboard is top of your wishlist there's only one logical choice here, and the recent reduction in price also makes a strong case for the Priv. The DTEK50 is just a little bit 'meh', while its predecessor at least has something about it and has a stronger specs sheet.
Comparison, online available, Short, Date: 08/17/2016
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
The BlackBerry DTEK50 appears to be the sort of device that businesses could buy in bulk and dish out to all employees. If you’re upgrading from an age-old Bold or Curve then you’ll love it, but now that BlackBerry has pushed the majority of its best software to all Android users, the reasons to buy this phone deplete further.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/15/2016
Rating: Total score: 60% price: 40% performance: 50% display: 80% mobility: 50% workmanship: 50%
Source: Engadget Archive.org version
BlackBerry's second attempt at an Android smartphone lacks the ambition of last year's Priv, but don't get hung up on that. The DTEK50 is a solidly built device with a super-secure foundation, and the company's take on Android continues to impress. Still, the competition among mid-range phones is fierce, while the DTEK50 has its share of rough edges.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/11/2016
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
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.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/11/2016
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 70% performance: 80% features: 70% workmanship: 70%
Source: Android Authority Archive.org version
There you have it for this in-depth look at the BlackBerry DTEK50! $300 is relatively cheap, especially if you want a smartphone that prioritizes security. If that is the case, you’re probably not going to find a better deal. However, as far as phones go, there are a few better options out there that offer a lot more for similar prices, like the OnePlus 3, the Moto G4 Plus, and the Axon 7. If you do store a lot of sensitive information on your phone, the DTEK50’s top notch security will be well worth the investment, but if there is one major flaw, it is that BlackBerry didn’t make it a better phone all around.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/11/2016
Rating: Total score: 75% performance: 75% display: 80% mobility: 60% workmanship: 80%
Source: Mobile Syrup Archive.org version
However, it is reasonably priced at $429 outright. And with (mostly) solid performance, it’s a good bet the phone can last a while. The security software is really just a bonus, rather than the primary reason to buy this phone. BlackBerry fans will already know that, while everyone else may want to consider this if looking to pay less for a phone and stretch it out as long as possible.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/10/2016
Source: V3.co.uk Archive.org version
If security tops the list of your concerns the lowly £279 is certainly money well spent. BlackBerry still rules the roost when it comes to enterprise-ready security, but that price is less forgiving when it comes to specifications. There are rumours of a further Android-based handset being unveiled later this year, so maybe you're better off waiting.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/09/2016
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
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. After all, any performance issues we faced could, perhaps, be fixed by a software update in the future.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/04/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Tom's Guide Archive.org version
Security-conscious Android owners will like the features that BlackBerry brings to its Android phone. The ability to actively monitor which apps are using your camera or microphone, and take steps to change that, sets the DTek 50 apart. Plus, the other BlackBerry special sauce — Messenger, the Hub, even the on-screen keyboard — makes this a good productivity tool. However, its performance numbers are underwhelming, as is its battery life and camera, even for a $299 smartphone.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/04/2016
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Stuff TV Archive.org version
The DTEK50 isn't the head-turner follow-up to the Priv we were hoping for. It's a vessel for Blackberry's Android apps - the worth of which is easy to overstate. BlackBerry Hub is an interesting bit of software, but if you’ve been lured here by the promise of the “most secure” phone around, it's not great news. You can get the most meaningful parts from third parties for any Android smartphone.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/03/2016
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Recombu Archive.org version
BlackBerry continues to move away from the troubled past of older ‘Berrys with another strong Android-based offering. Whilst some might consider the lack of a physical QWERTY keyboard and a fingerprint sensor losses, but for £275, you don’t just get a competent, elegant-looking Android device, but you also get the peace of mind afforded to you by BlackBerry’s know-how in the security industry.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/03/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Mobile Choice Archive.org version
It is a good performer- as long that's all you need from your phone. There are faster, better phones out there that cost the same or less and there are security apps that do a lot, but ultimately this is a Blackberry and a brand that is or used to be synonymous with trust and that's what might make this handset a quiet winner.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 07/29/2016
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 90% features: 90% mobility: 80% workmanship: 70% ergonomy: 90%
Source: Mobile Syrup Archive.org version
Specs wise, the DTEK50 comes equipped with a 5.2-inch 1080p display that I found bright and vibrant, though also comparable to other mid-range phones that share its price point. It also features a Snapdragon 617 processor, which is likely sufficient for the device’s target enterprise market, especially given its 3GB of RAM, allowing for ample multitasking. The phone also comes equipped with 16GB of storage.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/27/2016
Source: Tech Crunch Archive.org version
Of course, BlackBerry doesn’t plan to hang its hat on this device. The more premium (and much higher-priced) Priv felt like much more of an attempt to define BlackBerry’s future, and the company has promised more keyboard devices to come. As it stands, the DTEK50 is a decent mid-tier device targeted at users seeking a security suite that won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/02/2016
Foreign Reviews
Source: hifitest.de DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/02/2017
Rating: Total score: 80% features: 60% ergonomy: 90%
Source: PocketPC DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/04/2016
Source: Connect - Heft 11/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 10/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 82%
Source: Netzwelt DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/30/2016
Rating: Total score: 75% features: 90% mobility: 60% workmanship: 80%
Source: PCtipp.ch DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/12/2016
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Computerbild - Heft 18/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 09/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 86%
Source: Android Pit DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Connect - Heft 10/2016
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 09/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: Teltarif DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/28/2016
Rating: Total score: 87% features: 85% workmanship: 85% ergonomy: 85%
Source: Notebooksbilliger Blog DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/19/2016
Source: Billiger-telefonieren.de DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/09/2016
Source: Verivox DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/08/2016
Rating: Total score: 76% features: 70%
Source: Tech Stage DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/05/2016
Source: Android Pit DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/01/2016
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: WinFuture DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/26/2016
Source: AndroidPit.it IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/28/2016
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Andrea Galeazzi IT→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/23/2016
Rating: Total score: 75% price: 69% workmanship: 75%
Source: Lupo Kkio IT→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Good ergonomy; excellent security; good price; quality sound. Negative: No fingerprint sensor.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/17/2016
Source: Frandroid FR→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Very bright screen; effective autofocus. Negative: No fingerprint sensor; average autonomy.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/17/2016
Source: Mobilizujeme CZ→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Light weight; good security. Negative: Slow system; poor battery life.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/25/2016
Source: Mobilenet.cz CZ→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Solid workmanship; slim case; light weight; good design. Negative: Uncomfortable lock key.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 08/25/2016
Comment
Qualcomm Adreno 405: Integrated graphics card for ARM based SoCs. Depending on the used SoC the clock rate is around 500 MHz and features 48 unified shaders.
Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
617 MSM8952: Mid-range ARM SoC with 8 CPU cores (Cortex-A53, 64-bit capable) and an Adreno 405 GPU. Manufactured in a 28 nm LP process.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
5.20":
It is a very small display format for smartphones. You should by no means be mis-sighted and you will generally see very little on the screen and only have a small resolution available. In return, the device should be very small and handy.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.74.51%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.