Physical keyboard and 5G connection standard for new BlackBerry 5G smartphones: the return of a great classic from 2021
BlackBerry is ready to return to the scene from 2021 with its classic physical keyboard and support for the new 5G connection standard. After the agreement signed with OnwardMobility, the company is working on the launch of new smartphones equipped with the Android operating system and designed for business users.
Last February, the Canadian company had announced the end of the production of its iconic smartphones. After months of uncertainty, the agreement reached between OnwardMobility, BlackBerry and Chinese manufacturer FIH Mobile marks a rebirth. Announcing the development and return to the market of new BlackBerry was Peter Franklin, CEO of OnwardMobility, who stressed that professional and business users will once again be able to count not only on the physical keyboard and 5G of the new smartphones, but also on the high standards of security and privacy that have always distinguished them.
BlackBerry returns in 2021
BlackBerry’s path in recent years has not been easy: after the sale of the brand in 2016 to the Chinese company Tcl, the last model launched was the KEY2 LE. Then in early 2020, Tcl announced that it would stop production and sales by August 31. Now OnwardMobility, a U.S. company, has found a new agreement with the BlackBerry brand: the company will sell them in Europe and America, while the Chinese FIH Mobile, a subsidiary of Foxconn that currently produces iPhones for Apple, will produce them.
The CEO Franklin in a press release explains, “BlackBerry smartphones are known for protecting communications, privacy and data. This is an incredible opportunity for us to re-launch next-generation 5G devices in the market with support from BlackBerry and FIH Mobile.” In addition to 5G, the new models will be able to count on the physical “qwerty” keyboard that have made the brand famous and the Android operating system. No indiscretions instead on other features and price, but the market segment remains business and enterprise.