Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy

Whether it's government agencies, identity thieves, opportunistic hackers or marketers, everyone wants your personal data.

As we live more of our lives than ever online, we're increasingly aware of how much data we produce, and the need to protect it.

With smartphones playing a key role in our always-connected lifestyle, there's a new breed of services and devices for consumers who want to stay off the grid without going offline. Leading the charge is the Blackphone, a $629 handset that prioritizes privacy over everything else.

Running a custom, secure version of Android and shipping with a wealth of privacy tools preinstalled, it claims to be an "unparalleled product" where data protection is concerned. Thanks to the awesome folks at online retailer GSM Nation, who were kind enough to send one for review, I've been getting to know the device and finding out how it keeps data safe from prying eyes.

PROS

• Super secure OS

• Bundled with various privacy-focused apps

• Includes subscriptions to several encrypted services

• Capable pair of cameras

CONS

• Expensive

• Generic design

• Spotty performance and app compatibility

• Bundled subscriptions expire in a year

• Emphasis on security trumps convenient user experience

SUMMARY

From a hardware perspective, the Blackphone is nothing to write home about, especially when you consider the $629 price tag. What you're really paying for, however, is a security-driven OS, complete with apps and one-year subscriptions to services that promise the same level of data privacy. And in that respect, the Blackphone is simply incomparable to anything else out there.

Blackphone review: putting a price on privacy