We weren’t expecting to hear anything from BlackBerry at MWC 2014, so it’s a pleasant surprise that the company has unwrapped two new handsets at the Barcelona expo – the BlackBerry Q20 and BlackBerry Z3.
BlackBerry claims the new handsets, as well as a suite of new services introduced alongside, “illustrate the company’s renewed focus on its core strengths in security, productivity, communications and collaboration.”
The BlackBerry Q20 is described as a “new flagship” BlackBerry 10 smartphone and features the company’s classic fixed Qwerty keyboard design. BlackBerry has not revealed much about the device’s specs just yet, but has confirmed the phone will feature “sculpted” keys and frets on the keyboard, similar to the popular BlackBerry Q10 design which made typing an absolute joy.
We also know the touch display will measure 3.5-inches, an increase in size from the BlackBerry Q10’s 3.1-inch screen. BlackBerry is also promising “premium materials” and a design made for “reliability and durability”. We’re told it will have a large battery cell for “superior” life on a single charge.
There aren’t currently any details about the handset’s processor, memory or camera – naturally it’ll run the latest BlackBerry 10 software build, which will mean it can also sideload a wide range of Android apps.
The BlackBerry Z3 previously leaked online as a handset resulting from BlackBerry’s partnership with Foxconn, and BlackBerry has now revealed it was developed with the Indonesian market in mind.
However, while the company has confirmed the Z3 will land in Indonesia in April, it’s also said there will be “further details on pricing and availability at launch,” which could be interpreted as a little teaser on wider availability in other regions.
According to PhoneArena the handset will be priced “under $200”. It’s reportedly 3G-only but the publication says BlackBerry CEO John Chen joked that the company plans “to take that phone out globally with LTE sometime in the future before I die.”
Again, precise details are annoyingly thin on the ground, with BlackBerry only going as far as to confirm it’s a 5in touch-only device with a “long lasting battery” and the latest BlackBerry 10.2.1 software build.
Company CEO John Chen said, “The BlackBerry Z3 embodies all that BlackBerry 10 offers, with its exceptional productivity features and reliable communications, in a stylish, all-touch design made affordable for customers in Indonesia.”
by pbriden via Featured Articles
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