The BlackBerry Priv is the company's first smartphone that runs on Google's ubiquitous mobile operating system. It comes with Waterloo's signature ergonomic keyboard coupled in with capable hardware, making it one of the most powerful handsets to date. While it has yet to reach the global market, it has spelled success for the company, therefore leading to rumors of another Android-powered smartphone, which has been making its rounds in the internet with the codename Vienna.
The design of Vienna carries the same orthodox form factor of the BlackBerry days of old, albeit one with different aesthetics. According to the renders, it appears that Vienna looks similar to the Leap that saw light this year, although it's fashioned with an ergonomic keyboard that shrinks down the display to a 3:2 screen ratio. Reports suggest that this design aims to strike a 'reasonable compromise' between the device's display proportions as well as its overall dimensions, all while getting outfitted with BlackBerry's signature keyboard.
On the flipside, there's a venerable BlackBerry logo on top of a finely textured pattern that looks like the BlackBerry Leap as well. Furthermore, Vienna will most likely have a non-removable back panel, since a card slot on the left side will be available for use.
BlackBerry has reaped some profits as of late, all thanks to their Android-powered smartphone that went into market release last November. Now, BlackBerry's Chief Executive John Chen hints that it may plan on releasing another Android smartphone next year, positioned at the mid-range spectrum. However, he stressed that the high-end market is more of the company's focus.
"Depends on the Priv. If the Priv is well received in the market and looks like it is. There's a good chance [...], we will still focus on the high-end probably closer to mid-range coming out in 2016," Chen said during an interview with Bloomberg.
Chen also cleared that the release date will depend on the Priv's market perfornce in the coming months. He also added that their first Android-powered smartphone will also arrive to 31 more markets in the following months.
