BlackBerry Goes Retro with the Classic

Posted on Dec 22nd 2014

If you long for the days of QWERTY keyboards and trackpad navigators, this could be your lucky month. This month BlackBerry launched the new BlackBerry Classic, a smartphone that aims to bring back the satisflying click-clack of drafting emails from your phone's built-in physical keyboard. The Classic is rumored to launch on AT&T and Verizon in the coming weeks, after the unlocked version sold out on Amazon almost immediately in late December.

Blackberry is trying to regain some of its old, smartphone dominance by bringing back an updated version of its bestselling devices from yesteryear. The Classic is bigger, faster and more powerful than Blackberries of the past and can run Blackberry World or Amazon App Store apps. But BlackBerry is betting that users will once again love the almost legendary built-in keyboard.

“I know a lot of people think that Classics are aiming at our loyal customers, which is true," said Blackberry CEO John Chen. "That was the genesis of why we are doing this. But I’m going to invite a lot of people who haven’t used the Classic or haven’t used a Blackberry before, especially the people that are young, I suppose, to have a try at it. I think you’ll like it, you may surprise yourself."

Features of the Classic include:

Already have the Classic or planning or getting one? We have accessories available now, including chargers and pouch cases. More options will be available once the device officially launches on carriers.