BlackBerry is set to make another comeback with a new smartphone. No one asked for a new BlackBerry phone, but they’re coming back anyway.
The news was announced on the BlackBerry ThreatVector Blog. And, as we’ve come to expect from devices bearing the BlackBerry name, the phone will have a physical keyboard for typing messages and emails.
The new BlackBerry phone will run Android as its operating system. And since there’s really only Android and iOS to choose from, it makes sense for BlackBerry to go with Android for its upcoming devices.
After parting ways with TCL, we thought the BlackBerry brand was finally getting laid to rest. However, OnwardMobility is bringing it back through a partnership with BlackBerry Limited and FIH Mobile Limited.
John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO of BlackBerry, spoke on the upcoming devices, saying:
BlackBerry is thrilled OnwardMobility will deliver a BlackBerry 5G smartphone device with physical keyboard, leveraging our high standards of trust and security synonymous with our brand. We are excited that customers will experience the enterprise and government level security and mobile productivity the new BlackBerry 5G smartphone will offer.
The company says that the upcoming BlackBerry phone will feature 5G connectivity, Android, and a physical keyboard.
Outside of the core features, the company also talked a bit about security, which is one of the things for which BlackBerry has always been known.
Peter Franklin, CEO of OnwardMobility, said, “BlackBerry smartphones are known for protecting communications, privacy, and data. This is an incredible opportunity for OnwardMobility to bring next-generation 5G devices to market with the backing of BlackBerry and FIH Mobile.”
As far as who’s making the devices, OnwardMobility is set to conduct product planning and market development. FIH Mobile will then design and manufacture the BlackBerry devices going forward.
Unfortunately, that’s all we really know about the upcoming smartphone. It sounds like the company has the basic idea of what people look for from a BlackBerry phone down. However, there’s a lot more we’ll need to know before we can decide whether a new BlackBerry is worth getting excited about.
If this sounds exciting to you, you’ll have to wait a while to get your hands on the phone. OnwardMobility expects to deliver the new BlackBerry device to North America and Europe in the first half of 2021. Still, there are alternatives you can use until then.