14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier today, BlackBerry has announced its first Foxconn smartphone, the Z3, which is also the cheapest BlackBerry 10 handset to date.
Along with the affordable device that will be launched in Indonesia in April, the Canadian company has revealed its latest flagship smartphone, the Q20.
Following the traditional QWERTY-based design layout, BlackBerry Q20 promises much better specs and an enhanced experience in comparison with its Q10 predecessor.
Unfortunately, BlackBerry has yet to offer details on the BlackBerry Q20 specs sheet. However, BlackBerry’s new CEO John Chen has confirmed that the Q20 will have a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display when it launches, which would be the largest screen included in a BlackBerry 10 device featuring a physical QWERTY keyboard.
Apart from the small tidbits of information provided during the company’s MWC 2014 press conference, BlackBerry’s officials stated that the new Q20 would feature the classic “Menu,” “Back,” “Send” and “End” buttons and the integrated trackpad, which is meant to allow a more efficient navigation and easier handling of the phone with one hand.
It looks like the Canadian company is determined to go back to the roots and revive the older series of smartphones that offered similar classic features like trackpad and physical “Menu,” “Back,” “Send” and “End” buttons.
The bad news is that BlackBerry fans won’t be able to take the Q20 for a spin until the second half of 2014. John Chen has clearly stated that the smartphone will be available for purchase by the end of the year, but not earlier than the H2 2014.
On a side note, Chen has also confirmed that his company is working to bring more high-end BlackBerry smartphones to the market, but he did not disclose any additional details.
“In my first 90 days on the job, I consistently heard from our ardent BlackBerry customers that the hard buttons and trackpad are an essential part of the BlackBerry QWERTY experience, that made their BlackBerry smartphone their go-to productivity tool. I want these customers to know that we heard them, and this new smartphone will be for them,” said John Chen, executive chairman and CEO at BlackBerry.
“Today, we’re delighted to announce the new BlackBerry Q20 smartphone, which is designed to give you the distinct experience that every BlackBerry QWERTY loyalist and high-productivity business customer absolutely loves.
With the BlackBerry Q20 smartphone, you’ll get the familiar hard buttons and trackpad that you want, along with the best email service, the best keyboard experience and the best battery life possible,” added Chen.