New Delhi: In a nostalgic nod to the golden era of mobile phones, a Chinese firm is breathing new life into the iconic BlackBerry Classic, transforming the once-beloved device into a modern powerhouse while preserving its signature physical keyboard and trackpad.
Zinwa Technologies, based in China, has unveiled its ambitious project to retrofit the ageing BlackBerry Classic Q20 models with cutting-edge hardware, rebranding them as the Zinwa Q25 Pro. This revival comes more than three years after BlackBerry officially pulled the plug on support for its older operating systems in January 2022, leaving loyal users without essential services like data connectivity, calls, and messaging.
At the heart of this upgrade is a sleek new mainboard featuring the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, a 6nm processor designed for gaming with impressive energy efficiency and 4G support. Paired with a whopping 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage, the device promises smoother performance for today’s apps and multitasking demands. The battery has been boosted by 15 per cent to 3,000mAh, ensuring it lasts through a full day of use, while the outdated microUSB port gives way to a faster USB Type-C for charging and data transfers.
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the enhanced cameras: a 5MP front-facing shooter for selfies and a robust 50MP rear camera for crisp shots. Early demonstrations highlight how the classic capacitive trackpad integrates seamlessly with the new setup, offering that familiar tactile experience BlackBerry fans crave. Running on a streamlined version of Android 13, the Zinwa Q25 Pro keeps things simple, though the company has not announced plans for future OS updates or extended software support—unless demand surges.
For those eager to relive the BlackBerry magic, the Zinwa Q25 Pro is priced at $420 (approximately Rs 35,000, excluding taxes and duties), with a do-it-yourself kit available for $320 (around Rs 27,000) to upgrade existing Q20 units. Zinwa aims to ship the first 100 units by the end of August, ramping up to mass production in mid-September. The company’s online store even caters to international buyers, including potential shipments to South Africa and beyond.
This comeback stirs memories of BlackBerry’s heyday, particularly in South Africa, where it reigned as the coolest phone brand from 2011 to 2013. The affordable BlackBerry Curve 8520, coupled with uncapped data through the BlackBerry Internet Service at just R59 per month— a fraction of regular mobile data costs—made it a household favourite. Its BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) app dominated social circles, often passed down from parents to children, fostering a vibrant community.
However, the brand’s downfall began in 2014, overshadowed by rivals like Apple, Samsung, and Huawei. The rise of cross-platform apps such as WhatsApp eroded BBM’s appeal, while BlackBerry’s hesitation to expand its ecosystem and persistent network issues — like congestion and outages — sealed its fate. Today, as smartphones evolve rapidly, Zinwa’s initiative offers a quirky bridge between past and present, appealing to die-hard fans yearning for that distinctive click of physical keys.