BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) is just a week away from officially launching its Classic, also called Q20, smartphone. The Canadian company will launch the device at a special event on Dec.17. BlackBerry has already been taking pre-orders for Classic in black color directly through its website. Now N4BB has spotted a new image showing that the smartphone with QWERTY keyboard will also come in white.
Classic combines old school looks with modern functionality
It’s still unclear whether the white version will be available at launch, or interested customers will have to wait. The Waterloo-based company has priced Classic at $449. BlackBerry has combined modern functionality with old-school looks in Classic to appeal to its loyal users. The company has been touting various features of the phone in an attempt to create a buzz ahead of its launch.
The new flagship phone will feature a five-button Toolbelt. Recently, BlackBerry released a video highlight the phone’s “fast and quick” web browser. The company claims that Classic’s web browser is three times faster than the Bold 9900, and has received the highest rating from HTML5TEST.com. In the same video, the company also talked about the smartphone’s updated hardware and app stores.
BlackBerry Classic sports similar specs as Q10. It packs 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB of built-in storage expandable up to 128GB, and a 2515mAh battery. Classic will have a 3.46-inch 720p display, 8-megapixel main camera, 2MP front camera and BB 10.3.1 OS. It will have two app stores: BlackBerry World and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s App Store.
Especially for hardcore BlackBerry fans
In the past, BlackBerry has been criticized for its limited number of apps. In June, the company signed a deal with Amazon to bring the latter’s apps (which include Android apps) to its phones. Classic has been designed especially for the hardcore BlackBerry lovers, who are still addicted to QWERTY keyboard and want mobile security. After tasting success with Passport, BlackBerry is looking to regain its lost mojo under John Chen.
BlackBerry shares fell 1.61% to $10.37 at 11:06 AM EST on Tuesday.
