A new all-touch BlackBerry device has leaped onto Malaysian shores — the uber-affordable BlackBerry Leap. Available for pre-order since 6 May exclusively on 11Street, the BlackBerry Leap is targeted at career builders and young professionals who take security and privacy seriously. The 5-inch device retails for RM1,089 (inclusive of GST).
Following the QWERTY BlackBerry Classic, BlackBerry now has a complete portfolio of devices from entry-level to flagship, all-touch and QWERTY keyboards.
The Leap in a nutshell
The BlackBerry Leap features a 5-inch HD display encased in a durable polycarbonate body with a textured back cover.
Powering the device is the venerable (and old) Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus mated to 2GB RAM. There’s 16GB o
f storage as standard with an option to top up via microSD. It’s still baffling why BlackBerry is using a two-year old processor platform (a question I asked in my BlackBerry Classic review) but perhaps raw performance isn’t the main criteria for the Leap.
8MP isn’t much these days but it does get the job done nonetheless. The rear camera unit includes autofocus with LED flash and the front gets 2MP.
Battery should be excellent with BlackBerry claiming 25 hours of heavy use from the 2,800mAh unit.
[highlight]READ: [Review] BlackBerry Classic: One for the fans[/highlight]
Security is one of the prime features of a BlackBerry device, and the Leap is no different. Out-of-the-box encryption, malware protection and backup, wipe and restore is standard issue.
The Leap comes pre-loaded with the new BlackBerry 10.3.1 system that includes BlackBerry Blend, BlackBerry Assistant and unique dual app storefronts — BlackBerry World and Amazon Appstore (for Android apps).
The 4G LTE device also boasts the best-in-class touchscreen keyboard with superior error correction, multi-language support, customized adoption and flow.
Unlike the Classic though, the Leap lacks NFC but makes up for it with the usual plethora of connectivity options including Bluetooth 4.0 LE and EDR, as well as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n.
Pricing and availability
11street, the latest online shopping destination in Malaysia, has been given exclusive rights to the BlackBerry Leap for a limited time. Pre-orders on 11street kicked off on 6 May and will continue till 19 May 2015. The BlackBerry Leap is priced at RM1,089 inclusive of GST.
Customers who pre-order will enjoy a shopping coupon worth RM150. The first 100 pre-order customers will receive a BlackBerry premium cap and leather phone pouch.
General retail availability of the device starts from 20 May 2015.
11street is also running a photo contest on its Facebook page called “Your best Leap moment” where you stand a chance to win a FREE BlackBerry Classic. Details on 11street’s Facebook page.
