More Android-powered devices may soon join the BlackBerry Priv to market. A recent leak indicates that BlackBerry has two smartphones in the works, both of which are expected to run the Google operating system.
Images of renders for the upcoming BlackBerry phones surfaced on the Chinese blog 51BlackBerry . BlackBerry branding confirms their maker; however, there is little information available for the devices by way of specs.
Leaked images show off @BlackBerry's next two Android phones https://t.co/lREWDQCHrK pic.twitter.com/RQ8FxXs6pA
— Phandroid (@Phandroid) April 27, 2016
The devices are codenamed Hamburg and Rome, according to GSMArena . The code names seem plausible: prior to launch, the Priv was referred to as Venice, another European city.
A leaked render of the device Hamburg indicates it is 146mm x 78mm in size. It appears to be a slate-shaped smartphone; however, it is not clear whether it will have a slide out keyboard like the BlackBerry Priv. This device is expected to launch during the second half of the year, selling for about $400, according to GSMArena.
The device called Rome appears to have a built in keyboard, similar to the BlackBerry Passport , though it looks slimmer and less square than the 2014 smartphone. There are no details about price and availability for Rome at this time.
Currently, it remains to be seen whether BlackBerry will completely abandon its own BlackBerry OS For Android. Many reports indicate the manufacturer is leaning toward using Android as its primary operating system .
The BlackBerry Priv released in November 2015 running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and recently updated to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Prior to that, the BlackBerry Passport released in October 2014 running BlackBerry 10.3.
