BlackBerry's CEO John Chen hinted that the company migt be releasing another smartphone in 2016. The device belongs to the conpany's mid-range line-up of Android units.
According to LearnBonds, the upcoming device of BlackBerry is expected to run the popular Android operating system. Since the widely speculated success of the Priv, its first and latest Android device, the move seemed only inevitable.
Chen has admitted before that the success of BlackBerry's phone business rests on the Priv. The CEO also stated that the Canadian firm's 2016 smartphone goals include both the high-end and mid-range. It was said that BlackBerry seeks to release a number of smartphones running the Android OS considering it its the world's leading mobile operating system today.
NDTV Gadgets reported that the Canadian company hasn't stated any clear plans for a second Android phone yet, but a new BlackBerry smartphone was reportedly in benchmark listings last month. It is then pressumed that the company may be testing the use of Samsung's Exynos chips in its handsets.
The BlackBerry smartphone codenamed STV100-1 was seen in GFXBench listings with Samsung's octa-core Exynos 7420 processor clocked at 2.1GHz. The BlackBerry's alleged second Android smartphone that is speculated to be codenamed "Vienna", was leaked in images last month.
Android Community noted that the Blackberry Priv definitely had great sales last quarter. This type of development is currently keeping the company in the mobile business and it seems it will continue to do so.
BlackBerry is doing its best to make sure that the first Android-powered smartphone will deliver its promises by rolling out timely app and software updates. Moreover, the company is still assessing how well the phone will sell not only in the United States but in more than 31 markets they plan to deliver the BlackBerry phone to. It could be a mid-range or a more affordable version since the Priv is a high-end pricey phone.
In the meantime, enthusiasts should cross their fingers that the "best of BlackBerry combined with the best of Android" as per John Chen will give the company more good news in the future months. They just have to wait and see.
