Not too long ago since BlackBerry released its privacy-centric smartphone called the BlackBerry Priv, the Waterloo, Canada-based wireless handheld technology company is preparing to invade the smartphone market with a follow-up handset called the BlackBerry Vienna.
According to Value Walk, BlackBerry teased the smartphone industry with its follow-up handset after renders of Vienna was released by BlackBerry-following site Crackberry. From the looks of it, the device mixes the touchscreen BlackBerry device design with the standard keyboard-flaunting design of its early releases.
Sources even compare it to the design of its older predecessor the BlackBerry Passport. And as expected, it also has similarities with the BlackBerry Priv.
What makes the upcoming handset even more special is the fact that like the Priv, the Vienna smartphone will also run on Android. Unlike the Priv however, the keyboard of the new handset is irremovable and does not slide up and down to be easily tucked away when not in use.
Since the demand for the BlackBerry Priv has been delightful since the phone's official release on Nov. 6, it is not surprising that BlackBerry now has its hands on another smartphone. iDigitalTimes noted that Amazon quickly ran out of Priv stocks to sell on Nov. 11, Wednesday.
On eBay, Vienna's predecessor is shelling for as much as $1,100 because of its great demand in spite of its limited supply. The phone has a retail price of $699.
It's also good that BlackBerry is following the trend and the great demand for Android devices by making another smartphone that runs on Google's mobile operating system.
BlackBerry's Vienna is expected to come with a 5.4-inch dual-curved screen. The premium-looking smartphone is set to sport a large 3,410 mAh battery that is said to last for up to 22.5 hours in a single full charge.
However, BlackBerry fans should note that the phone shown by the renders is still subject to change. The final product may be very different, or may stay the same.
CrackBerry singled out that it's pretty clear that BlackBerry now has a clear strategy - one that involves the Android operating system.
Not having a full touchscreen device at this point when almost every smartphone maker is creating one is also another strategy. Hopefully, consumers would be open, once again, to having a physical keyboard on the new BlackBerry smartphone just like how Priv was well-received in the market.
