A recent social media post has ignited hope among BlackBerry enthusiasts regarding the potential resurgence of the iconic smartphone brand. In February 2020, the situation seemed bleak when TCL, the company that had been licensing the BlackBerry name, decided to cease production of Android-powered BlackBerry devices after releasing several models, including the KEYone and KEY2. Shortly after, Onward Mobility emerged, asserting plans to bring new BlackBerry phones to market in 2021, complete with 5G support. However, the anticipated launch never materialized, and in February 2022, BlackBerry sold its mobile patents for $600 million, marking another nail in the coffin for the brand.
Since then, discussions surrounding BlackBerry have been limited, aside from reports of a keyboard case designed for iPhone and Android models. Recently, a Reddit user named “coldheartedsigma” stirred excitement by revealing that a U.K. startup is in talks with investors to raise funds to revive the BlackBerry brand. This initiative aims to continue where Onward Mobility left off and is focused on developing new BlackBerry smartphones featuring physical QWERTY keyboards, along with 5G connectivity. The Redditor noted that the company is negotiating for exclusive licensing of BlackBerry patents, but due to a non-disclosure agreement, specifics about the firm remain confidential.
The initial phone is rumored to feature an AMOLED display, a substantial 12GB of RAM, storage options of either 256GB or 512GB, and generative AI capabilities, all powered by Android 15. Although there’s speculation of a product roadmap with multiple QWERTY models, no timeline for release has been provided. Consequently, while enthusiasm grows for a BlackBerry comeback, it may still take years before any new devices hit the market.