The BlackBerry phone makes a comeback. It is the latest effort to revive the brand which once ruled the world. The BlackBerry Key2 was unveiled Thursday in New York by TCL Communication, the Chinese manufacturer, which took over the rights to the smartphone brand from the Canadian tech firm, RIM in 2016. The new device is an update to the first BlackBerry Key released last year and includes a physical keyboard under a 4.5 inch screen. It runs the Android operating system. TCL said it will be sold this month starting at $649 or 649 euros.
Alain Lejeune head of TCL’s BlackBerry Mobile division explained that although there are many different smartphones for consumers to choose from, most tend to offer very similar experiences without much distinction from one to the next.
“With the introduction of BlackBerry Key2, we’ve created a distinct smartphone that captures all the traits that have made BlackBerry smartphones iconic, while introducing new innovations and experiences that not only make this one of the best devices for security and privacy, but also the most advanced BlackBerry smartphone ever,” Lejeune added.
BlackBerry’s share of the global smartphone market has fallen to virtually zero from a peak of more than half a decade ago. The dominance of Apple’s iOS and Android-powered handsets prompted the Canada-based firm to abandon the market to concentrate on software and services. Under the agreement between the two firms, Canada’s BlackBerry will remain in control of software and security on smartphones, while TCL will produce handsets powered by Google Android software, abandoning the former BlackBerry OS software. TCL also produces smartphones under the Alcatel brand.