Android-based BlackBerry DTEK50 (Neon) officially announced, pre-orders open now

The BlackBerry Neon that we saw earlier today is now available to pre-order in the US, Canada, and a handful of European countries. Also known as BlackBerry Hamburg, the device is officially called BlackBerry DTEK50 (pronounced dee-tek-fif-tee), and is the Canadian company's second Android-powered smartphone, after the BlackBerry Priv.

The BlackBerry DTEK50 is presented as "the world’s most secure Android smartphone". Based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the handset encrypts all user information, and comes with a DTEK by BlackBerry App, which can automatically monitor the OS to let users "know when their privacy could be at risk and to take action to improve it." DTEK will also track other apps, notifying users about suspicious activities on the device, like using cameras without permission, accessing your contacts or location, sending text messages, and turning the microphone on.

If the design of the DTEK50 looks a bit familiar, it's because the device is not actually manufactured by BlackBerry, instead being a rebranded, modified version of the Alcatel Idol 4. The DTEK50 shares pretty much all of its tech specs with the Idol 4, though it adds a Convenience Key (on the right side), letting you quickly access your frequently used apps and tasks. Here are the phone's specs at a glance:

Display	5.2 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, 424 ppi
Hardware	Octa-core Snapdragon 617 CPU, Adreno 405 GPU, 3 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory (expandable)
Cameras	Rear: 13 MP with phase detection auto focus. Front: 8 MP
Battery	2610 mAh (non-removable) with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0

BlackBerry hopes that the DTEK50 will be appreciated by "price-conscious consumers and businesses." The smartphone can be pre-ordered for $299 (check out the source link below), and should start shipping on August 8. Customers who pre-order the DTEK50 will also receive a high-capacity BlackBerry MP-12600 Mobile Power Charger, which includes a 12,600 mAh battery, 1 microUSB charging port (for the DTEK50), and 2 USB charging ports (for other devices). Not bad!

In case you're planning to purchase one, you should know that the BlackBerry DTEK50 is compatible only with T-Mobile and AT&T (including their pre-paid brands), and won't work on CDMA carriers like Verizon or Sprint. So, is anyone tempted to get this phone?

$5/mo off for 5 years on Visible premium plans

$30 /mo

$35

$5 off (14%)

New members get $5/mo off the $35/mo Visible+ plan or $5/mo off the $45/mo Visible+ Pro plan for the first 60 months when they port-in from an eligible carrier. Use code 5OFF5 at checkout to save up to $300.

Buy at Visible