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BlackBerry Leap review

6.8/10 AVG.
RATING
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BlackBerry Leap
BlackBerry Leap
BlackBerry Leap
BlackBerry Leap
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6.8/10
Informr score
The BlackBerry Leap currently has an Informr score of 6.8 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 23 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Bright and responsive screen
  • Textured back offers great grip
  • Sturdy build quality

What's bad

  • Aged processor
  • Display sharpness below current flagships

The Leap is BlackBerry's attempt to recapture the hip, young professional audience. Unlike other BlackBerry phones, the Leap has done away with the physical keyboard in favor of a full touch screen and digital on-screen keyboard. It shares the same black slab design as many smartphones but with sharper edges and a textured curved back. Not only do these design features add character, they also made it much easier for experts to grip. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, critics add that the Leap has a solid build quality and feels comfortable in their hand despite its dimensions of 5.7 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches.

The 4G Leap runs the latest BlackBerry 10.3.1 OS on its 5-inch display. With an HD resolution of 720p it provides a pixel density of 293ppi. While not the sharpest in comparison to newer flagship phones, reviewers describe it generally as "great" as it is bright, responsive and sensitive to touch.

At the core of the Leap is an aged 1.5GHz dual-core processor. Despite its limited core numbers and lower clock speed, experts were able to perform basic and even graphics-oriented tasks with ease, mostly thanks to its Adreno 225 graphics processor unit (GPU). Still, they add that on paper it might turn away many users as it doesn't seem as powerful as even some budget Android phones available. With that said, it does come with a whopping 2GB of RAM to keep the phone running smoothly and 16GB of internal storage. It also comes with a microSD slot for additional storage, a 2,800 mAh battery, an 8MP rear camera that can take 1080p video and a 2MP front camera.

Overall, experts view the Leap as a decent smartphone for the price. TechRadar states, "The Leap is probably the best shot BlackBerry has to stabilize or even improve its…market share."


BlackBerry
Operating system
Operating system
BlackBerry
1.5 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.5 GHz
5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
2800 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

Even if the Leap is only ever considered as a secondary phone and only ever used for work, BlackBerry still wins. That's enough to sell products, and is enough to keep BlackBerry relevant. Sure, we would like to see the company get aggressive and go for competitive mainstream pricing, but this is th...

- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360
Gearburn
Gearburn

Overall, the BlackBerry Leap isn’t bad, but it isn’t great either. On paper, the Leap has a range of incredibly attractive and interesting features. When you actually get a chance to use it I couldn’t help but feel completely disappointed with the overall experience. It’s a s...

- Graham van der Made, Gearburn
Softpedia
Softpedia

If you're a BlackBerry fan, chances are you'll be impressed with this phone. If you're not, the Leap is intriguing enough to convince you to give it a try. But you might not understand its full potential until you truly know what BlackBerry is all about. The Leap is supposed to bring the magic of Bl...

- Bogdan Popa, Softpedia
GSMArena
GSMArena

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 tha...

- GSMArena team, GSMArena
Techgoondu
Techgoondu

The Leap is a decent BlackBerry touchscreen smartphone. The OS has matured with a crop of gestures that make a lot more sense. Unfortunately, the device is let down by its dated processor and cranky app support. Thankfully, most of these issues can be fixed through a software update or in later dev...

- Desmond Koh, Techgoondu


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the BlackBerry Leap user manual here.


BlackBerry backs up the Leap with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Leap has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact BlackBerry support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find BlackBerry's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.




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Quick view

Screen Size
5"

The BlackBerry Leap's screen size is 5 inches with 720 x 1280 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.5 GHz

There is a Qualcomm MSM8960 Dual core 1.5 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the BlackBerry 10 operating system (OS).

Camera
8+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 8+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
16 GB

Internal memory is 16 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
2800mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2800 mAh battery.

BlackBerry Leap Specs

Overview
Release Date April 17, 2015
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System BlackBerry 10

Compare BlackBerry Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm MSM8960 Dual core 1.5 GHz
Internal Storage 16 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 1.13 W/kg
Body: 0.997 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Micro-SIM
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 128 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
5x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Panorama, Self-timer, Burst shot, Time shift mode, HDR, Scene modes
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, ASF, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Pixel Density 294 pixels
Size 5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2800 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Unknown
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.4 x 7.3 x 0.9 cm (5.7 x 2.9 x 0.4 in)
Weight 170 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Manual (PDF)
BlackBerry Leap Reviews
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