Johannesburg - Some local BlackBerry fans haven’t been put off by Google Android and Apple iOS’s dramatic rise over the last five years.
According to Gartner data on worldwide smartphone sales to end users by operating system in the second quarter of 2015, Android dominated with an 82.2% share, followed by Apple iOS with 14.6%, Microsoft Windows with 2.5% and BlackBerry with just 0.3%.
But in a bid to win its way back to smartphone glory, BlackBerry last week unveiled its first Android phone dubbed Priv.
READ: BlackBerry unveils Android phone in new reboot
The phone also features a touchscreen as well as the keypad that BlackBerry has become famous for.
In turn, Fin24 asked users whether they still use BlackBerry, and, surprisingly, a number of fans responded.
Fin24 user Heather Steel said that she likes her BlackBerry because it still gives her the BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) which saves on data.
She also said that she’s a fan of the physical keypad.
“My ideal phone would be a Blackberry with Android, and keypad, plus BIS.”Fin24 user Dexter Apps said he uses his BlackBerry 9700 for social networking and business.
“I still have my Android handheld but my Blackberry - I just cannot get rid of it.”
Fin24 user Jack wrote:
“I have always had BlackBerry cellphones. Very user friendly, good looking and all my info is secure. Pity not Android though. Still believe that it is the best in the world. Blackberry is hot.”
Fin24 user N.Solomon wrote:
“I cannot, cannot, cannot understand, for the life of me, why people would spend so much money on data. With your Blackberry you only spend the required R30 (CellC or Telkom) or R60 and you can upload and download as and when you want, with no hassle. With some websites you do have to purchase extra data but that is minimal compared to what my friends spend on their data monthly, seriously.”
Fin24 user Neil outline his reasons for using BlackBerry:
“1. QWERTY Keyboard:
Touchscreen keyboards are terrible as one almost never is able to type emails etc. Without some letter or other not functioning a few times, I end up getting seriously frustrated – same for computer touch screens.
2. Security:
One needs to trust communication lines at all time – especially business.
3. BB10:
I really do not have problems with this BB system. Phone used 98% for business and so very few apps are worth the while over and above what comes on the machine. I run a second BB phone for personal communications – on items that I really do not have worries about security, e.g. Whatsapp, etc. I hope those government agents reading my personal stuff die of boredom. Would be nice to have a QWERTY BB phone with dual sims so I can clearly split my Business and Personal on one phone – but this does not exist?4. Price:BB = reasonable prices. Apple and top Android products have lost the plot on price for most users.”