Keyed up: the upcoming first-gen 5G BlackBerry's looks are predicted in new renders

[Redaktion]

BlackBerry's latest owner, OnwardMobility, has committed to bringing the brand's signature physical keyboard back in a 5G phone soon. A tech blog has published work that imagines how such a phone might be designed in 2021. It combines triple rear cameras and a curved display with a new take on the classic feature.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Keyed-up-the-upcoming-first-gen-5G-BlackBerry-s-looks-are-predicted-in-new-renders.532560.0.html

[YUKI93]

As much as I still loving the physical QWERTY keyboard on a smartphone to this day, I'm not sure if I want a portrait keyboard. I'd want to see something like a modern-day interpretation of the Motorola Droid 4 and a more powerful F(x)tec Pro1 with a flagship-tier chipset.

[JB]

Can't they just do away with physical keyboards and go for touchscreen like every other OEM? Physical keyboards are rather outdated.

[james hubbard]

Keep the keyboard that's the whole point  everytime I leave a blackberry and go samsung or I phone I miss it nothing better than a touch screen and a keyboard best of both worlds and so much easyer to text I loved my keyone but build quality and camera could of been better please key 3 be the phone I nees

[Alastair Wilson]

I have a Keyone plus an Apple work phone. Might be my podgy fingers but I find the Apple virtual keys awkward to use constantly touching the wrong key. Also prefer Android. Yes, another Querty keyboard so I have an option  of a physical keyboard. Virtual keyboards are already well served and probably cheaper to make so manufacturers like them. Blackberry will otherwise have no USP. and then I'll probably move to a Nokia with a nod to what the PRC seems to be up to these days.

[Lance Hosting]

Looks so imbalanced!! Holding that little part at the bottom to try and text with the bulk of the phone above it...sorry, but seriously, let it go!

[Rich S]

Let's hope that is NOT the design.   It's like that small keyboard is an afterthought.   If they're going to bother with the keyboard, it should be the older "iconic" BB keyboard with the shaped/angled keys, to give the true tactile experience.

[Vancouver]

This thing is gonna be dead on arrival if it does not have a physical keyboard.
problems with this render;
#1 - Keyboard is not Physical
#2 - Keyboard is Tiny

Onward has been touting this phone for over a year without a single official render, announcement, FCC registration, & most recently "will release very soon"
These guys wont have access to the best chipsets out there, and if they do they wont be getting them at a price point to help remain competitive.
This phone is easily going to be $1500USD
Just like the failure of Motrola's Razr Flip, it is a nostalgia item that will be super expensive, lacking features for the price, and most likely to be lacking customer support and sufficient google OS updates.

[JThom]

the concept would be more believable if the BlackBerry was going to be a foldable with a slide-out physical keyboard. good luck dudes.

[YUKI93]

Can't they just do away with physical keyboards and go for touchscreen like every other OEM? Physical keyboards are rather outdated.

Lol please, outdated? It's much easier to use than a touch keyboard, especially if it's a landscape keyboard.