I’m a hardcore BlackBerry fan. I used my BlackBerry 7280 till the scroll wheel wore off, having fun with free texting over the BBM community within the early 2000s. I nonetheless use my BlackBerry Passport for gentle e-mail with restricted 4G LTE service by means of an MVNO. Occasions could have modified, however no smartphone has captured the creativeness of loyal BlackBerry followers.
Sadly, we’ve handled heartbreak over the previous few years. The BlackBerry KeyOne and KeyTwo technically carried the BlackBerry title, however the TCL-made gadgets didn’t lower it. Onward Mobility promised a brand new machine however couldn’t carry it to market. There are rumors of a UK startup elevating cash for one more strive at a brand new BlackBerry. The leaks are skinny, however as a ravenous fan, I wish to consider them. Right here’s why I believe there’s nonetheless a spot for a brand new BlackBerry in 2025.
Associated
Nonetheless a marketplace for purpose-built gadgets
Not every thing must be for everybody
I just lately wrote about how excited I used to be for the brand new Pebble watch. It’s a tool that can know its limitations, not attempting to be all issues to everybody. It’s the way you construct a great product and never find yourself with a tool that should enchantment to the bottom frequent denominator for industrial success. It may not be for you, and that’s positive. I hate how corporations have diluted the smartphone market over the past a number of years, with each machine designed to offend the least variety of folks, as Samsung and Google hope to chop into iPhone gross sales.
The BlackBerry expertise was greater than only a keyboard; its software program performed a serious function within the firm’s success.
Bodily smartphone keyboards aren’t for everybody, however as we’ve seen from Michael Fisher’s Clicks circumstances, there’s nonetheless curiosity. Keyboards add versatility and tactile suggestions that we’ll by no means get from conventional smartphones. Keyboard shortcuts assist pull up actions rapidly or activate apps with out digging into your overloaded app drawer. And whereas I could not sort with the identical pace on a bodily keyboard, I’m considerably extra correct. There’s one thing purposeful about typing on a bodily keyboard on a smartphone, and I would like that feeling again.
Slimmed-down software program and safety
Not each Android pores and skin must be bloated
The BlackBerry expertise was greater than only a keyboard; its software program performed a serious function within the firm’s success. BlackBerry OS was at all times lean, not bogging down the consumer expertise with pointless bloat. A contemporary BlackBerry would doubtless run Android, so the software program can be extra advanced than that of earlier BlackBerry OS-powered gadgets. Nonetheless, I’d hope for a near-stock Android expertise. A clear software program expertise can be welcomed, because it’s not one thing we’ve seen from Samsung and Google in years.
One other key benefit of BlackBerry gadgets was safety. I’d love one other smartphone in 2025 that focuses on giving us extra management over how our information is saved and shared. Motorola does a superb job with its Moto Safe software program, and I’d need one thing related on a brand new BlackBerry cellphone. Software program assist would even be vital, as I’d wish to be assured about utilizing my BlackBerry securely for years. All informed, I’m excited to get BlackBerry’s software program philosophy again within the market, and a no-frills cellphone with out AI is exactly what I’d look ahead to shopping for.
BlackBerry construct high quality was wonderful
I’d like one other cellphone I don’t must put a case on
I beloved the Motorola ThinkPhone partially due to its sturdy building. It featured an aramid fiber again panel and aluminum body. It got here with a case, however I by no means wanted to make use of it. BlackBerry gadgets have the identical sturdy construct high quality. My BlackBerry Passport has been dragged round with no case for years, and I can’t let you know how a lot use I received out of my BlackBerry Daring 9900 with out subject regardless of quite a few drops. Fashionable smartphones are fragile, so I’d look ahead to a brand new BlackBerry that doesn’t should be coddled.
A brand new BlackBerry can be a implausible alternative to experiment with totally different type elements. I want one other BlackBerry Passport machine with a 1:1 side ratio and a squared-off design. My Passport continues to be wonderful for studying e-mails and seeing extra of a PDF file without delay. We have seen just lately that different type elements can work. The unique Google Pixel Fold has a wider exterior show, and the Huawei Pura has an fascinating folding design with a side ratio nearer to the Passport when unfolded. I’d even be open to a BlackBerry Priv-style cellphone with a slide-out keyboard, providing the perfect of each worlds. App builders wouldn’t have an oddball side ratio to program for, and we’d nonetheless get a bodily keyboard.
It’s time for a worthwhile return
My need for a brand new BlackBerry stems from my love of keyboard telephones and the present soulless crop of smartphones on {the marketplace}. I don’t want Galaxy AI on my cellphone to help the consumer expertise. I hate that Android producers are slipping into the behavior of considering AI fixes each downside with their software program and consumer expertise — it doesn’t. Give me a well-engineered machine with a transparent goal in 2025, and you may take my cash. I’d nonetheless purchase a brand new BlackBerry, and I hope you’ll, too.