Two BlackBerry phones to be launched this quarter in India
What's the story
According to Hardip Singh, Executive Director at BlackBerry's Indian licensee Optiemus, two BlackBerry phones will be launched in the country this quarter.
Even though Singh did not specify the devices, famous tipster and gadget-unearther Evan Blass has revealed them to be the BlackBerry Ghost and the BlackBerry Ghost Pro.
The devices will support Android.
Here are the details.
Twitter Post
Premium, Android, and bezel-less
Remember BlackBerry Ghost? Of course you do (and if not, just expand this thread). Well here's another upcoming handset from Indian licensee Optiemus to haunt you: the BlackBerry Ghost Pro. pic.twitter.com/1TcyhE3CsL
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 22, 2018
Details
The BlackBerry Ghost might be priced at Rs. 39,999
Not much is known about the two phones. According to the renders, the BlackBerry Ghost will have a bezel-less display and an aspect ratio of 18:9.
The Ghost Pro looks a little wider and shorter with an aspect ratio of 16:9.
They will not support a QWERTY keypad and will be all touchscreen. The BlackBerry Ghost might be priced at Rs. 39,999.
Features
It is impossible to root a BlackBerry phone
Singh said that the upcoming smartphones will have the DTEK app, which monitors device security in real-time.
They will also feature the BlackBerry Hub, through which users can bring all communication in one place.
Commenting on the premium price of the phones, Singh said that the basic DNA of BlackBerry phones commands high-end pricing since they are all optimized for privacy, security and convenience.
Quote
More BlackBerry models to come in throughout the year
Singh said, "We are going to come out with a whole range of models starting with two this quarter. We have a strong pipeline of models which we will be bringing in and they will be at various price points."
Background
BlackBerry has licensed out its phones to Optiemus in India
So this is how it works. BlackBerry has stopped designing and creating phones since 2016, but the company still licenses the brand out so that phones keep coming in its name.
Optiemus is a Noida-based manufacturer and distributor of telecom products.
The two companies had entered a licensing agreement last year, under which Optiemus agreed to make phones with BlackBerry's Android-based security software.