5 of the best BlackBerry alternatives | Stuff (2024)

The king of QWERTY isn't for everyone, but there some great alternatives

5 of the best BlackBerry alternatives | Stuff (1)Dan GrabhamFollow @dangrabham

5 of the best BlackBerry alternatives | Stuff (2)

If you’re after some non-RIM QWERTYness, try one of these five…

Nokia E6

A hefty stainless steel body, touchscreen navigation, 8MP camera and decent battery life form the foundation of this clever QWERTY. It’s not as powerful as the competition with its measly 600MHz processor, but it’s aesthetically pleasing, the Symbian^3 ‘Anna’ OS springs to life with the addition of finger-friendly controls and the D-pad means navigation is a breeze. We particularly like that the question mark, comma and full stop symbols have their own dedicated keys.

HTC ChaCha

This isn’t just a phone with a Facebook button. With its distinctive, slightly angled design, giving a nod to the chin of the T-Mobile G1 and HTC Magic and Hero, you’ll be able to bash out missives at speed and view the screen comfortably at the same time. It’s a hugely likeable device, thanks to its Android 2.3 underlay, ergonomic design and one of a quirkiest phone names we’ve ever heard.

Dell Venue Pro

Like the Torch but can’t bear the thought of its sluggish 624MHz processor slowing you down? Dell’s Venue Pro is a QWERTY sliding beast in comparison packing a 1GHz CPU, plus it’s got the backing of Windows Phone 7 to deliver an excellent user experience, with its gorgeously styled tiles based UI. It may be super-sized and far from pocket-friendly, but with its excellent keyboard and giant screen, it’s one of the best smarties around for the hardcore business folk.

Orange Barcelona

The follow-up to Orange’s own-branded San Francisco is a smart choice if you want a piece of the QWERTY pie, but you’ve only got cash for plain digestives. It’s stepped up its Android game by packing 2.2 as opposed to 2.1, which means it’s still dragging behind the competition – but given its bargain pricing, we think we can let this slide. It’s certainly no match for the more high-end smartphones, but it’s a great entry-level handset if you’re thinking about moving into QWERTY territory.

HP Pre 3

The first of the Pre line to bear the HP name since the company took over Palm – and it’s the best Pre yet. This is thanks to a solid design, 1.4GHz engine, 3.6-inch display, a 5MP sensor that can capture 720p HD video and the gloriously innovative cards-and-stacks-based webOS. Even better, if you have a TouchPad, you can take advantage of its Touch To Share feature by syncing the two devices and sharing web content between them. You can’t get your grubby mitts on it just yet, but it’s available for pre-order, for September shipment.

Also

BlackBerry Bellagio 9790 leaked

BlackBerry PlayBook video review

5 of the best BlackBerry alternatives | Stuff (2024)

FAQs

What is best replacement for a BlackBerry phone? ›

5 of the best BlackBerry alternatives
  • Nokia E6.
  • HTC ChaCha.
  • Dell Venue Pro.
  • Orange Barcelona.
  • HP Pre 3.
  • Also.

Do BlackBerry phones still work in 2023? ›

On January 4, 2022, BlackBerry decommissioned the infrastructure and services used by our legacy software and phone operating systems.

What is the alternative to the BlackBerry Passport? ›

The best alternative to Blackberry Passport is Titan Pocket.

Who was BlackBerry's biggest competitor? ›

BlackBerry's competitors

Sony Group Corporation (formerly Sony Corporation) is a company operating Game and Network Services, Music, Pictures, Entertainment Technology and Services, Imaging & Sensing Solutions, Financial Services, and other businesses.

What is the most secure smartphone BlackBerry? ›

The BlackBerry company claims that the DTEK50 is “the world's most secure Android,” which could be one of the most brilliant moves the company has made in quite a while as it attempts to claim stake in the smartphone market.

Are BlackBerry phones coming back? ›

Latest updates on that front now drop a sad news for fans who expected the revival of those QWERTY keypad phones – the company just lost the license to use the BlackBerry name. Based on a recent revelation from founder of CrackBerry.com, BlackBerry's plan to license the name to Onward Mobility is not going ahead.

Can I still use my old BlackBerry? ›

“Updated December 22, 2021: As a reminder, the legacy services for BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software, Blackberry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier versions, will no longer be available after January 4, 2022.

Will all BlackBerry stop working? ›

Blackberry users said goodbye to the iconic device on January 4, 2022. The phone's legacy software was decommissioned, meaning all classic Blackberry phones can no longer be used.

Are old BlackBerry phones worth anything? ›

BlackBerry phones are still worth a fair bit of money. The price of your old BlackBerry can vary, depending on the market conditions at the time of selling.

Is BlackBerry more secure than Apple? ›

However, for companies who want the most secure mobile devices, Forrester still recommends sticking with the BlackBerry. "To be clear, the iPhone and iPad are not in the same class as Research In Motion's BlackBerry - the gold standard for secure mobile devices.

Why is BlackBerry untraceable? ›

BlackBerry locks down capabilities in the Android OS that could give attackers the opportunity to compromise your device. The software provides a secure environment that makes it difficult for attackers to find vulnerabilities or perform attacks.

Why is BlackBerry obsolete? ›

What caused BlackBerry's failure? BlackBerry lost out to Apple and Samsung for dominance of the smartphone market. Fundamentally, the company's mistakes were linked to an excessive focus on enterprise over consumer tastes and preferences, an OS that nobody was building apps for.

Who owns BlackBerry now? ›

BlackBerry was founded in 1984 as Research In Motion by Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin. Since November 2013, John S. Chen has been CEO. His transformative strategy for Blackberry since then has been focused on software offerings and cybersecurity.

When did BlackBerry lose popularity? ›

At its peak in September 2011, there were 85 million BlackBerry subscribers worldwide. However, BlackBerry lost its dominant position in the market due to the success of the Android and iOS platforms; its numbers had fallen to 23 million in March 2016, a decline of almost three-quarters.

What fruit is similar to a BlackBerry? ›

Blackberries and Their Lookalikes

Blackberries are also popular because, even though they have many lookalikes, none of those lookalikes are dangerous. In different parts of the United States, you may run into olallieberry, marionberry, boysenberry, loganberry, and dewberry.

What is the most secure phone today? ›

The Google Pixel 7 is a solid choice for those looking for a secure Android smartphone, thanks to its robust security features and regular software updates from Google.

Can someone hack BlackBerry phone? ›

Hackers can access your phone while it's still in your pocket, so you don't have to lose your BlackBerry or have it stolen for your sensitive information to be compromised. If you use BlackBerry devices for your business, it's even more important to take precautions against hacking and data theft.

What is the least secure phone? ›

Which smartphones are the worst security offenders? A new study of the world's 20 most popular smartphones found that the least secure models (in order) are the Samsung Galaxy Mini, HTC Desire, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, Sanyo Zio, and HTC Wildfire.

Is there a 5G BlackBerry phone? ›

BlackBerry's 5G phone was originally slated to launch in 2021, but that didn't happen. The company's January 2022 update cited "various delays" that made it hard to ship the device. But even the 2022 launch isn't happening for two reasons, although OnwardMobility has not issued an official statement yet.

Does AT&T still support BlackBerry? ›

Starting January 4, 2022, your device with a BlackBerry Operating System won't be supported.

What is the next BlackBerry phone to be released? ›

Upcoming Blackberry Mobiles Price List in India (June 2023)
Upcoming Blackberry Mobiles Price List in India (June 2023)PriceExpected Launch Date
BlackBerry Evolve X₹34,990N/A
BlackBerry Athena₹38,990N/A
Blackberry Ghost₹38,990N/A
Blackberry KeyTwo Lite₹43,500N/A
6 more rows

What is the shelf life of a BlackBerry? ›

Blackberries can last between two to three days in your refrigerator, after which they can start to rot and turn moldy. You can freeze blackberries and store them in the freezer so that you can access the fresh fruit year-round: Freezing blackberries can extend their shelf life up to nine months.

Which blackberries will stop working? ›

The company behind the once ubiquitous devices reminded customers that on Jan. 4 it will stop running legacy services for its BlackBerry 7.1 operating system and earlier BlackBerry 10 software, as well as its Playbook OS 2.1 and earlier versions.

How long will my BlackBerry work? ›

BlackBerry device and services end of life January 4, 2022.

What can I do with my old BlackBerry? ›

8 things to do with an old Blackberry
  1. You can do the noble thing and donate to charity. ...
  2. Keep one as a backup in case your current phone suffers an untimely death.
  3. Smother it in peanut butter, or some other food product of your choice, and let your dog play with it.
  4. Use it to prop up wobbly furniture. ...
  5. Use it as a decoy.

When was the last BlackBerry phone made? ›

BlackBerry, any of a series of wireless handheld communication devices manufactured from 1999 to 2016 by the Canadian company Research in Motion (RIM; BlackBerry from 2013 on) that were among the first popular smartphones.

Does an old BlackBerry have a SIM card? ›

A BlackBerry Classic uses a Nano sized SIM Card. The correct SIM size in a 3-in-1 punch out is shown below.

How much did the original BlackBerry cost? ›

Its price was about $350 retail or $199 with a contract. In 2006, BlackBerry was a major player in the market with five million active subscribers.

Why is BlackBerry better? ›

Blackberries are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. “These nutrients are essential for good health,” says Zumpano. “And research studies show that antioxidants may reduce inflammation and prevent many diseases, including cancer.” Blackberries are also low in calories and carbs.

What are the disadvantages of BlackBerry? ›

A small bowl of blackberries. Blackberries are quite nutritious, so there are few disadvantages to eating the fruit. In some cases, however, these plump, velvety berries can cause side effects such as changes to urine color.

Why did Apple overtake BlackBerry? ›

The iPhone's versatility, design, and camera continued to outpace anything Blackberry released, and within five years, market share had completely eroded as people flocked to phones with digital keyboards. Blackberry never responded to the threat and the rest is history. It didn't need to be that way.

Which phone Cannot be hacked? ›

Bittium Tough Mobile 2C

The first device on the list of most secure Phones is the Bittium Tough Mobile 2C. The device is a rugged smartphone, and it is as tough on the outside as it is inside because Tough is in its name. Also Read: How To Stop Android Apps Running In The Background!

Does the US government use BlackBerry? ›

Shortly we had the devices and services on GTSI's GSA schedule and Education became the first user of BlackBerry in the federal government.

What phone Cannot be tracked? ›

Purism Librem 5

From the entire list of smartphones that don't track you, the Librem 5 is the best option. The phone runs PureOS, Purism's privacy-focused Linux operating system which is not based on Android nor iOS. As such, the software is open-source and comes with free and open-source software (FOSS) pre-installed.

What celebrities have BlackBerry phones? ›

Some stars who've used BlackBerrys include President Barack Obama, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Lindsay Lohan, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Why will BlackBerry phones stop working? ›

As part of an “end of life” decommissioning program that was initially announced in 2020, BlackBerry said that as of Jan. 4, 2022, it would no longer support the devices as the Canadian company completes its yearslong shift from making mobile phones to a software-based business model.

Which is better iPhone or BlackBerry? ›

A product that has both grown and excelled in the handheld telecommunications market, the BlackBerry remains better oriented for business and its easy typing process remains the key detractor keeping many businesspeople away from Apple's iPhone, especially those more experienced.

Will Google buy BlackBerry? ›

InvestorPlace columnist Larry Ramer recently argued that Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) would become potential buyers of BlackBerry (NYSE:BB) once they become more familiar with the company's QNX operating system.

How much is a BlackBerry patent worth? ›

BlackBerry selling non-core patents in a deal worth up to $900M.

Did BlackBerry make a deal with Amazon? ›

Today, Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com company, announced a multi-year, global agreement with BlackBerry QNX, a worldwide leader in intelligent security software and services. Together they developed an Intelligent Vehicle Data Platform named BlackBerry IVY.

Which is older BlackBerry or Apple? ›

At the height of its popularity, the BlackBerry – with its built-in keyboard – enjoyed a huge market share of the mobile phone market. The BlackBerry began to rise in 1999, eight years before Apple launched its first iPhone.

Why do people use BlackBerry? ›

It turns out, according to a handful of interviews with BlackBerry users, there are three basic reasons: People are addicted to the click-clacking keyboard; they love the blinking red light on the top, which alerts users to new messages; and many just happen to have the phone because it's required for work.

What berry tastes most like blackberry? ›

Loganberries. Flavor: Loganberries taste a little like a raspberry and a little like a blackberry. Very flavorful and slightly tart. Season: Midsummer.

What is the blackberry closest relative? ›

There's nothing quite like a freshly picked blackberry – and these fruits are easy to grow, nutritious, and delicious. Blackberries are a part of the Rosaceae family, along with some tasty relatives like strawberries, apricots, and raspberries.

Which type of blackberry is the sweetest? ›

Berries from a Navaho thornless blackberry plant are the sweetest of the University of Arkansas' varieties, with a sugar content of 11.7. Navaho ripens later than both Apache and Arapaho thornless blackberries.

Who are BlackBerry smartphone competitors? ›

  • Realme Mobiles.
  • OnePlus Mobiles.
  • Vivo Mobiles.
  • OPPO Mobiles.
  • Apple Mobiles.
  • POCO Mobiles.
  • IQOO Mobiles.
  • Nothing Mobiles.

What is like a BlackBerry phone? ›

Now we have the Titan Pocket, a new Android phone launching today on Kickstarter from Unihertz, which previously released the miniature Jelly phones and, more pertinently, another BlackBerry-esque device called the Titan back in 2019.

What phone is similar to BlackBerry KEY2? ›

BlackBerry KEY2
  • BlackBerry KEY2 LE.
  • BlackBerry Keyone.
  • BlackBerry Priv.
  • BlackBerry Motion.
  • BlackBerry Passport.
  • Oppo Reno8 Lite.
  • Samsung Galaxy A54.
  • BlackBerry Leap.

Does anyone support BlackBerry phones? ›

As part of an “end of life” decommissioning program that was initially announced in 2020, BlackBerry said that as of Jan. 4, 2022, it would no longer support the devices as the Canadian company completes its yearslong shift from making mobile phones to a software-based business model.

Why did BlackBerry lose popularity? ›

Why Did BlackBerry Smartphones Fail? Competition, in a nutshell. The introduction of the Apple iPhone, which BlackBerry didn't take seriously, caused a loss of market share BlackBerry couldn't recover from. More competitors entered the smartphone space, eventually crowding BlackBerry out.

Who is making the new BlackBerry phone? ›

BONUS: BlackBerry 5G 2021

Don't worry - the iconic QWERTY hardware keyboard will be present as well. The phone will be a collaboration with the US-based mobile security company Onward Mobility - BlackBerry announced the partnership right after their licensing deal with TCL ended.

Why did BlackBerry decline? ›

What caused BlackBerry's failure? BlackBerry lost out to Apple and Samsung for dominance of the smartphone market. Fundamentally, the company's mistakes were linked to an excessive focus on enterprise over consumer tastes and preferences, an OS that nobody was building apps for.

Why are BlackBerry phones illegal in the US? ›

RIM have refused to hand over the data, and so authorities have decided to ban Blackberry services rather than continue to allow an uncontrolled and unmonitored flow of electronic information within their borders.

Who is Unihertz? ›

Unihertz is a Chinese firm that makes unique smartphones and has its headquarters in Shanghai, China. The company makes niche mobile devices running Android OS, and developed its brand through Kickstarter platform.

What is the most famous BlackBerry phone? ›

BlackBerry Bold

The original Bold offered a leather back for that chic feel, and was probably the most iconic handset that BlackBerry produced. The 9000 model came with a 480 x 320 pixel display, along with a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/b and microSD expansion up to 16GB.

Which BlackBerry phone runs Android? ›

Android devices:

BlackBerry Evolve (2018) BlackBerry Key2 (2018) BlackBerry Motion (2017) BlackBerry Aurora (2017)

What is the smallest BlackBerry phone? ›

Pearl is the smallest BlackBerry to date. It is barely 4.2 by 2 by 0.6 inches and weighs only 3.16 ounces. If you're into comparisons: Pearl is thinner than a RAZR — shorter than a SLVR and lighter than either one! Pearl is an 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS.

What is the price of new BlackBerry KEY2? ›

BlackBerry KEY2 price in India starts from ₹ 31,990. The lowest price of BlackBerry KEY2 is ₹ 31,990 at Flipkart on 8th June 2023.

Will all BlackBerry phones stop working? ›

Blackberry users said goodbye to the iconic device on January 4, 2022. The phone's legacy software was decommissioned, meaning all classic Blackberry phones can no longer be used.

Can you still use old BlackBerry phones? ›

“Updated December 22, 2021: As a reminder, the legacy services for BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10 software, Blackberry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier versions, will no longer be available after January 4, 2022.

Are BlackBerry phones still safe? ›

Get Proven Security with BlackBerry

Phones with BlackBerry® software or apps don't just tack on security, it's built-in. BlackBerry is trusted by thousands of companies and governments around the world to securely enable business on mobile.

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