BlackBerry recently confirmed that it would release two new smartphones running Android instead of its own Blackberry 10 OS. Images of the handsets, codenamed "Hamburg" and "Rome" have just leaked, and they provide a look at their design, keyboard, and display.
In June 2015, the first report of an Android-based BlackBerry surfaced, which was believed to be a last ditch effort for the struggling smartphone maker to remain in the hardware business or exit the market. The device was confirmed to feature the company's iconic physical QWERTY keyboard, which was a nod to BlackBerry's loyal fan base but a gamble in the sea of smartphones that use virtual keyboards.
The BlackBerry Android handset was codenamed "Venice" and was officially released as the BlackBerry Priv and featured specs that were on par with flagship Android smartphones at the time. It also featured a similar curved display like the one found on the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.
The BlackBerry Priv was released by all major U.S. carriers and hit Verizon in March, after which the company's CEO John Chen recently confirmed the company would release two new Android smartphones.
We now have a better idea on those two new BlackBerry smartphones, which are codenamed "Hamburg" and "Rome," and will reportedly be midrange smartphones that will be priced around $300 to $400. It appears the site that first posted the leaked images has been taken down.
The image of the BlackBerry Hamburg shows a design similar to that of the Priv, will feature a curved OLED display, possible slide out QWERTY keyboard (although it's not shown opened in the image), speaker grill below its screen, and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
The BlackBerry Rome includes a fixed physical QWERTY keyboard and possible curved display, and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
The BlackBerry Hamburg will reportedly cost $400 and be released in the second quarter. The BlackBerry Rome is expected to carry a price tag of $300, although an expected release date wasn't revealed.
We'll keep you posted on any new BlackBerry Hamburg and BlackBerry Rome news as it becomes available.
