The iconic BlackBerry Classic, known for its physical keyboard and business-focused design, is making an unexpected return. A Chinese company, Zinwa Technologies, has announced it will resurrect the 2014 device with updated internals while maintaining its classic aesthetics. The reimagined device will be called the Zinwa Q25.
Hardware overhaul under a familiar shell
While the Zinwa Q25 keeps the BlackBerry Classic’s 720 x 720 display, keyboard, LED notification light and shell, the internals are completely modernised. The outdated Snapdragon S4 Plus processor is replaced by the MediaTek Helio G99, offering support for all global LTE bands. The Q25 runs Android 13 and promises regular feature and security updates, though no major OS upgrades are planned.
A leap in specs and performance
Performance sees a major jump with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, compared to the original 2GB and 16GB. The cameras are also upgraded to a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP selfie shooter. The battery is now a 3,000mAh unit, with support for USB-C, NFC, a MicroSD card slot, and single SIM.
Modders welcome with conversion kit
For DIY enthusiasts, Zinwa offers a € 280 conversion kit for those who already own a BlackBerry Classic. It ships in August, along with the ready-made Q25, which sells for € 375. Zinwa is also working on updated versions of the BlackBerry KEYone and Passport. Depending on the release year, they will be branded as Zinwa P25 or P26.
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