Silent Circle Blackphone 2 review: A potent phone for the paranoid and privacy-minded
The Silent Circle Blackphone 2 is aimed at a specific group of people – those who value their privacy above all else. As digital threats become more prevalent, it brings in an air of security to the tech-oriented world with its encrypted services.
This phone is of sleek design and appealing aesthetics, offering a decent screen size with 5.5-inch IPS LCD display and full HD resolution (1080×1920 pixels). But it’s not merely its looks that pull attention, it’s the suite of security features that make it stand out.
Blackphone 2 runs on PrivateOS, a heavily fortified version of Android that maintains the flexibility and functionality of Android while enhancing user’s privacy. With this modified operating system, applications only get access to personal data or device components when explicitly permitted by the user.
One integral feature is Silent Phone, an app that facilitates encrypted communication. It allows for secure voice calls, video calls, text messaging and file transfers – thus reducing the risks associated with day to day mobile communication practices. For data stored on the phone itself, Blackphone 2 offers an enhanced level of protection using Spaces which provides multiple virtual phones within one device.
Despite these strong points for privacy-oriented users, there are a few drawbacks to mention. The camera quality leaves something to be desired. With a 13-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel front camera, photos come out average at best.
The battery is also decent but not exceptional. It has a non-removable Li-Po 3060 mAh battery, which lasts typically around an entire day with moderate use.
When considering performance elements such as processor and memory, Blackphone 2 falls into mid-range category featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 backed by 3 GB RAM – good enough for regular use but might not suffice for gaming or very resource-intensive applications.
In conclusion, Blackphone 2 demonstrates considerable effort to prioritize user’s privacy and security – making it an excellent choice for individuals focused on these aspects. While the device might have few shortcomings regarding camera quality and high-end gaming potential, it proves itself by fulfilling what it promises – secure mobile communications in the world where privacy often seems elusive.