BlackBerry was born on 19 January 1999, with the discharge of the BlackBerry 850. Within the rapid years that adopted, the model grew exponentially, providing one thing all its opponents could not contact: Emails on the go. In its heyday, it supplied a number of the best smartphones on the planet.
Even when you did not personal a BlackBerry your self, you may guess your backside greenback that you just knew somebody who did, or that you’d at the very least see one within the fingers of another person frequently. That bodily QWERTY keyboard with its faucet, faucet, tapping could possibly be heard in each prepare carriage and on each airplane. It wasn’t nearly emailing on the go although. You additionally had BBM – BlackBerry’s Instantaneous Messenger service.
It is perhaps all about WhatsApp now, however BBM had learn receipts down donkeys years in the past. It was yet one more distinctive cause to purchase a BlackBerry, interesting to a variety of individuals, not simply these in fits. Sadly, these days are gone, and whereas BlackBerry should still have handful of devoted customers, it is now successfully lifeless as a smartphone maker.
In 2016, BlackBerry introduced that it might now not be making gadgets of its personal, with TCL choosing up the license. In 2020, TCL’s license ended solely to be picked up instantly after by unknown entity, OnwardMobility. In 2021, OnwardMobility teamed up with the manufacturer, FIH Cell, and introduced plans to launch a 5G BlackBerry. Sadly, OnwardMobility shut down, taking with it any plans to launch mentioned telephones and be part of the ranks of the best Android phones available on the market.
Nonetheless, with the BlackBerry film being premiered in Might 2023, you may simply desire a journey down reminiscence lane once more, to recollect the great instances offered by the once-dominant smartphone producer.
Get pleasure from wanting again at a number of the fashions from days previous. This is a non-exhaustive listing of BlackBerry gadgets, from its origins to its final ever telephone (in all probability).
BlackBerry 850
ZDnet
This was BlackBerry’s first handheld machine and it sat throughout the two-way pager class, together with just a few others together with the 857, 900, 950, 957 and 962.
The BlackBerry 850 was introduced in 1999 with a display decision of 132 x 65 pixels, a thumb keyboard and a thumbwheel for scrolling.
BlackBerry 5810
CNN
The Blackberry 5810 was one of many early Java-based gadgets, providing a built-in cell phone, even when a headset was required. It launched in 2002, aimed toward companies somewhat than shoppers.
The 5810 ran on a 2G community and had a 160 x 160 pixel monochrome show. There was additionally the 5790 and 5820 within the 5000 sequence.
BlackBerry 6710
CWtejP1
The BlackBerry 6710 was one of many 6000 sequence, additionally introduced in 2002. It was one of many first to supply an built-in telephone and featured a big monochrome show with a 160 x 160 pixels.
There was additionally the 6720 and 6750 on this sequence, all of which launched in 2002.
BlackBerry 6210
ZDnet
The BlackBerry 6210 arrived in 2003, together with the 6220, 6230 and 6280. These too had an built-in telephone however they supplied a medium monochrome show somewhat than giant just like the fashions launched in 2002.
Their resolutions stood at 160 x 100. There was additionally a 6510 mannequin that had an built-in telephone and built-in two-way radio. Navigation was by way of the facet thumbwheel and these BBs have been a standard sight, as e-mail actually took to the streets.
BlackBerry 7290
GSMArena
The BlackBerry 7290 was one of many 7000 sequence, a few of which have been launched in 2003, with just a few extra in 2004. They have been the primary color fashions switching the monochrome show over to supply a medium display with a 240 x 160 decision or a big one with 240 x 240 pixels.
The BlackBerry 7290 was one of many first to supply Bluetooth, arriving in 2004. The 7270 additionally launched WLAN 802.11b. Many of the fashions within the 7000 sequence had 16MB of storage – slightly completely different from right now.
BlackBerry 7100
Softpedia Cell
The BlackBerry 7100 sequence consisted of a number of fashions, all of which supplied what BlackBerry referred to as a SureType keyboard. Fairly than the normal QWERTY keyboard, they’d a QWERTY-like format however used two letters per button, permitting the gadgets to change into a lot slimmer.
The 7100 sequence have been subsequently an analogous dimension to different competing gadgets available on the market so that they have been the primary most important BlackBerry fashions pushed to shoppers, somewhat than simply companies. They’d 240 x 260 decision shows.
BlackBerry 8700
All Techie Information
The BlackBerry 8700 sequence fashions launched in 2005/2006 added extra shopper options, corresponding to higher shows. They got here with giant 320 x 240 pixel screens providing 65K color depth.
These fashions featured the complete QWERTY keyboard format, making them wider once more in comparison with the 7100 sequence.
BlackBerry Pearl
GSMArena
The BlackBerry Pearl was the primary BlackBerry to lose the observe wheel for navigating across the show. As an alternative, it featured a mini trackball within the centre of its five-button broad keyboard and this was to revolutionise machine navigation.
The 8100 was the primary Pearl mannequin and it arrived with a 1.3-megapixel digicam, in addition to microSD help for as much as 8GB growth, ringtones and a media participant. This mannequin, and the Pearl fashions that adopted, all featured a 240 x 260 decision show, however they upped their digicam to 2-megapixels.
BlackBerry Curve
BlackBerry
The BlackBerry Curve first arrived in 2007 with the 8300 (pictured). There have been a few variations, most of which had a 2-megapixel digicam, the trackball interface discovered on the Pearl and a 320 x 240 decision show.
A pair modified issues up a bit with a better decision show, in addition to further options. The Curve supplied the broader format, with a full QWERTY keyboard and immediately discovered shopper favour because of its low worth and big selection of smartphone options.
BlackBerry Pearl Flip
CrackBerry
The BlackBerry 8220 Pearl Flip was introduced in 2008 with a clamshell type issue. It had an inner show of 240 x 320 and an exterior show of 128 x 160 pixels.
The identical trackball interface as the unique Pearl sequence was current, together with a 2-megapixel digicam, 128MB inner reminiscence and microSD help as much as 16GB.
BlackBerry Daring
CrackBerry
The BlackBerry Daring vary first arrived in 2008 with the 9000 mannequin (pictured). It had a wider format just like the Curve, with the complete QWERTY keyboard, in addition to the trackball interface. The Daring shook the BB world up, making a premium machine that everybody wished. The unique Daring supplied a leather-based again for that stylish really feel, and was in all probability essentially the most iconic handset that BlackBerry produced.
The 9000 mannequin got here with a 480 x 320 pixel show, together with a 2-megapixel digicam, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/b and microSD growth as much as 16GB.
BlackBerry Storm
Cellphones.ca
The primary BlackBerry Storm arrived on the finish of 2008, that includes a clickable touchscreen however no bodily QWERTY keyboard. This was the primary time that BlackBerry had tried to maneuver to full contact, with the iPhone beginning to make waves. The Storm did not go down a storm.
The 9500 mannequin, pictured, had a 3.2-megapixel digicam and a 360 x 480 decision show. There was additionally 1GB of inner reminiscence. In 2009, the Storm 2 arrived, 9550, with 2GB of reminiscence, making an attempt to deal with the shortcomings of the unique.
BlackBerry had tried to do its personal factor with contact, and struggled to match rival choices.
BlackBerry Tour
Phonegg
The BlackBerry Tour arrived on the scene in July 2009. It supplied a 480 x 360 pixel decision show for a pixel density of 250ppi and got here with a 3.2-megapixel digicam and microSD growth to 32GB.
There was additionally a trackball interface just like the Curve and the Daring.
BlackBerry Daring (9700)
BlackBerry
BlackBerry up to date the Daring vary on the finish of 2009 with the 9700 mannequin and twice in 2010 with the 9650 and 9780. The trackball was changed with a trackpad and the show decision jumped as much as 480 x 360 pixels to maneuver from 220ppi to 250ppi.
The 9700 and 9650 fashions supplied a 3.2-megapixel digicam, whereas the 9780 that got here on the finish of 2010 had a 5-megapixel autofocus digicam.
Though the optical trackpad was a great enhancement over trackball that was vulnerable to failure, there was rising rivalry from highly effective contact gadgets and complaints in regards to the lack of apps.
BlackBerry Pearl 9100
Phonezrus.ie
BlackBerry launched an replace to the Pearl in 2010, bringing the optical trackpad discovered on the newer Daring to the smaller-format machine.
Like the unique Pearl, the 9100 featured two letters per button to permit for the slimmer construct. This mannequin had a 3.2-megapixel digicam and microSD growth of the 2GB reminiscence as much as 32GB.
BlackBerry Torch
Cellphone Bunch
The primary BlackBerry Torch launched in 2010 with the 9800 mannequin (pictured). It featured a big touchscreen providing a 480 x 640 decision for a pixel density of 250ppi, which might slide as much as reveal a full QWERTY keyboard.
There was a 5-megapixel digicam on board, in addition to an optical trackpad. The Torch was up to date just a few instances in 2011 with the 9810, 9850 and 9860 however not a lot modified besides the a rise in show dimension and determination.
The Torch was supposed to deal with all wants, with that BlackBerry keyboard and a big contact show with media capabilities. By this stage, nonetheless, the touchscreen expertise elsewhere was far superior.
BlackBerry Curve 9300
Phonesdata
Simply because the Pearl was up to date, BlackBerry additionally up to date the Curve mannequin in 2010, introducing the optical trackpad discovered on the Torch in the 9300, in addition to a 2-megapixel digicam with video recording.
The Curve was nonetheless well-liked as a result of it was compact, succesful and a terrific handset for messaging. With information nonetheless being costly, the Curve was an effective way to speak.
BlackBerry Fashion
Crackberry
The BlackBerry Style launched on the finish of 2010 that includes a flip design. The inner show had a decision of 360 x 400, whereas the exterior show had a 240 x 320 decision.
When open, customers had entry to a full QWERTY keyboard, together with an optical trackpad. There was additionally a 5-megapixel digicam on board.
BlackBerry Daring Contact
goowelltech.com
The BlackBerry Daring Contact arrived in the summertime of 2011. It supplied the optical trackpad, a full QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen interface.
There was NFC on board, in addition to a 5-megapixel digicam and on the time, it was the thinnest BlackBerry accessible.
The Daring Contact stirred some passions once more, providing a terrific keyboard, however a contact expertise that was by this level on a show that simply appeared too small for shopper wants.
BlackBerry Z10
Amazon
The BlackBerry Z10 was the primary mannequin to function the brand new BB10 working system, arriving at first of 2013. It had a 4.2-inch show providing a 1280 x 768 pixel decision.
An 8-megapixel rear digicam was on board, in addition to a 2-megapixel entrance digicam and it supplied a battery lifetime of 10 hours speak time. There was a dual-core 1.5GHz processor supported by 2GB of RAM operating the present, together with 16GB of reminiscence and microSD for growth as much as 32GB.
The Z10 was an attention-grabbing launch, though it was apparent that BlackBerry was now attempting to launch an OS with full contact comfort and was going through an uphill battle. When the Z10 launched, it already felt outdated.
BlackBerry Q10
BlackBerry
The BlackBerry Q10 was the second BB10 machine to reach, launching in April 2013. It supplied a 3.1-inch 720 x 720 pixel decision show together with full QWERTY keyboard performance.
An 8-megapixel rear digicam was on board, together with a 2-megapixel entrance digicam and it featured a dual-core 1.5GHz processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.
BlackBerry’s eager eye for supplies confirmed once more, with a stunning glassfibre weave on the rear of the Q10 giving a stunning really feel. It was small and enjoyable, however in the end, the patron world had moved on.
BlackBerry Q5
houseofphonesng.com
The BlackBerry Q5 adopted the Q10 launch, launching in June 2013. The complete QWERTY keyboard was on board, together with a 5-megapixel rear digicam and a 2-megapixel entrance digicam.
There’s a 3.1-inch with a 720 x 720 pixel decision, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, together with 2GB of RAM and 8GB inner reminiscence.
BlackBerry Z30
BlackBerry
The BlackBerry Z30 was launched in October 2013, bringing with it BB10, in addition to a 5-inch 720 x 1280 pixel decision show.
It had a 2880mAh battery, 1.7GHz dual-core processor and 2GB of RAM with 16GB of storage. The Z30 was touchscreen solely with no bodily QWERTY keyboard on provide.
The BlackBerry Z30 was the most important play for a direct competitor machine to compete with the likes of Android, nonetheless in that setting, the dearth of native apps stood it aside.
BlackBerry Passport
BlackBerry
The BlackBerry Passport arrived in September 2014 to an enormous mixture of reactions. It was a Marmite machine that includes a 4.5-inch sq. show with a 1440 x 1440 pixel decision.
A 13-megapixel rear digicam was on board, together with a 2-megapixel entrance digicam and it had a 3450mAh battery, Snapdragon 801 processor and 3GB of RAM. It additionally went again to providing a bodily QWERTY keyboard once more.
At this level it was clear that BlackBerry was designing gadgets for its followers and the pitch turned very a lot again to enterprise comfort, with BlackBerry enjoying on the strengths of its keyboard and enterprise options.
BlackBerry Traditional
BlackBerry
The BlackBerry Classic adopted the Passport in December 2014, bringing again an analogous design to the Daring, which was one everybody knew and cherished. The Traditional had a 3.5-inch show with a 720 x 720 pixel decision and supplied an 8-megapixel digicam with a 2-megapixel entrance digicam.
There was 2GB of RAM on board, in addition to a 1.5GHz processor, however the principle factor about this machine, apart from the bodily QWERTY keyboard, was that it allowed customers to obtain Android apps in addition to BlackBerry apps.
BlackBerry Leap
BlackBerry
4 months after the BlackBerry Traditional arrived, got here the complete touchscreen BlackBerry Leap, shifting away from the bodily QWERTY keyboard. The Leap was the product of a brand new manufacturing settlement with Foxconn, seeing a less expensive contact machine produced.
The Leap had a 5-inch show providing a 1280 x 720 pixel decision, an 8-megapixel rear digicam, 2-megapixel entrance digicam and a 1.5GHz processor with 2GB of RAM. It got here in black and white and it was the final BB10 machine ever.
BlackBerry Priv
Carphone Warehouse
Priv was the second all of it changed for BlackBerry. It was the primary Android machine constructed by BlackBerry, and marked the start of the top for its personal cellular platform.
It featured the complete QWERTY keyboard hidden beneath a slide up show, together with an 18-megapixel digicam, Quad HD show and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor.
As an Android machine the Priv was full of innovation. The format was maybe slightly giant, providing that sliding motion, however the Priv was a great handset.
BlackBerry KeyOne
BlackBerry Cell
Having determined it could not afford to maintain its {hardware} division operating, BlackBerry turned over its license to TCL, the identical firm that had cheap success in reinvigorating the Alcatel model. Its first telephone, the KeyOne was a knockout for conventional BlackBerry followers.
It nonetheless ran Android, however – not like the Priv – featured a non-sliding keyboard immediately beneath the show. Its mixture of rounded metallic, and soft-touch grippy rear texture made it a pleasure to make use of, and its unconventional 3:2 4.5-inch display was surprisingly sharp and clear.
That includes a 3,500mAh battery and a Snapdragon 625 processor, it might nearly go two days between expenses, and completed most duties with little effort or delay.
BlackBerry Key2
BlackBerry Cell
The observe as much as the KeyOne was the final flagship – the Key2, and the goal right here was to slim down the providing, making it extra premium in seems, extra sturdy and lighter. The keyboard was made noticeably greater too, guaranteeing it was even simpler to sort on.
It saved the identical 1080 x 1620 decision 3:2 show, however bumped the processor energy as much as the Snapdragon 660 chip, with 6GB RAM and a long-lasting 3,500mAh battery.
Its twin 12-megapixel digicam system on the again was new too, as was the rubberised, grippy end. Its sq. edges made it not fairly as nice to carry because the rounded KeyOne, however the suitable enhancements have been made elsewhere.
BlackBerry 5G – the telephone that bought away
Pocket-lint
In 2020, OnwardMobility gained the license to provide the primary 5G BlackBerry telephone. It was anticipated to be an Android-powered smartphone and was initially deliberate to be launched in 2021 however – after many a delay – OnwardMobility closed down, extinguishing any hope of a BlackBerry revival.
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