BlackBerry returns to the premium market with other Android phones. The company’s officials confirmed that they will launch an Android-based smart phone in 2016, which may actually come in the form of its Vienna model. Considering the achievements of the company’s first Android gadget, the positive effects of its Priv edition seems to appear in many other aspects of BlackBerry’s business.
Their new Priv system has been welcomed since its release in Nov, and they are growing the distribution to other authorized sellers around the entire globe in the upcoming months, according to BlackBerry’s representatives. They added that recent deals with Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobil will sell the gadget in the US after a two-month exclusive contract with AT&T.
During a press meeting at CES 2016, the officials affirmed that their firm will only launch Android cellular devices this year, while at least a gadget is already on its way. Even if BlackBerry does not plan to give up on its BlackBerry 10 OS, it will not invest in the development of new components for the proprietary software.
However, the producer will support its older gadgets, along with a nationwide protection documentation that can make them extremely useful for company tasks. The Canadian firm is still focusing its attention on the Priv model, and it wants to offer it in more than 30 countries soon and the whole American market gradually.
Right now, the cost for this smart phone is set at around $700, so according to BlackBerry, it may be reduced down the line. Regarding its upcoming models, the representatives did not reveal their availability and costs yet. Not surprisingly, there is no information about their components requirements as well.
Earlier in 2015, leaked images of the Vienna models appeared and made some waves on the tech forums, exposing a slim-looking device with the standard BlackBerry keyboard, and not just a sliding one like the Priv has.
Based on these pictures, the product will be equipped with a back digicam and flash, complemented by the frontal sensor for selfies. The SIM and microSD card slots are allegedly on its left part, where a charging slot is put above them. A power key seems to be placed on the same side, while the volume controller can be identified on the other part.
BlackBerry’s Priv may receive the Android Marshmallow 6.0 upgrade in the next three months. This means that are slim chances that its Vienna relative will be sporting it at release too, and only if the company’s plans for its older devices prove to be successful.
Image source: Valuewalk
