Could the BlackBerry smartphone comeback actually happen? According to a mysterious social media post, a new UK-based startup might be planning to resurrect the iconic BlackBerry phone brand, complete with the physical QWERTY keyboard that made it famous — this time with modern 5G and AI capabilities.
📉 A History of False Starts
Back in February 2020, BlackBerry’s last known licensee, Chinese manufacturer TCL, stepped away from the smartphone market after struggling to capture consumer attention with Android-powered models like the BlackBerry KEY2 and Motion. For many, that marked the end of BlackBerry’s mobile chapter.
But hope was briefly reignited in August 2020 when Onward Mobility secured the rights to produce new BlackBerry phones with 5G support. Unfortunately, those dreams dissolved in early 2022 when Onward Mobility folded — just weeks after BlackBerry sold off its mobile patents for $600 million to Malikie Innovations.
🔁 Enter a New Player
Fast forward to 2025, and a curious Reddit post from user coldheartedsigma has stirred the BlackBerry fanbase again. According to the Redditor, an unnamed UK startup is in early talks with investors, reportedly seeking pre-seed funding to build the next generation of BlackBerry smartphones. The company’s goal? To continue where Onward Mobility left off.
📱 Leaked Slide Teases Potential Specs
Though the Redditor claims to be under a non-disclosure agreement, he shared an edited slide — allegedly from the startup’s pitch deck — offering a glimpse into what could be the first new BlackBerry phone in years. Here’s what the early concept promises:
- AMOLED display (exact size unknown)
- 12GB RAM
- 256GB or 512GB storage options
- Capacitive QWERTY keyboard
- 5G connectivity
- Generative AI features
- Android 15 OS
The device is reportedly part of a broader product roadmap featuring multiple keyboard-based models. While timelines remain unclear, it’s safe to assume the phone is at least a couple of years from launch — if it ever materializes.
🔒 Licensing Still in Question
BlackBerry’s mobile patents are currently owned by Malikie Innovations, which has stated it’s open to licensing its portfolio of over 32,000 patents. The startup in question is allegedly negotiating for exclusive rights, but nothing has been confirmed.
Given the sketchy nature of the leak and the long history of failed revivals, fans are right to be skeptical — but for those who still believe in the brand, even a sliver of hope is enough to reignite excitement.
🧐 What’s Next?
For now, the BlackBerry smartphone comeback is more rumor than reality. Without official confirmation or credible leaks, the idea of a new QWERTY Android device remains speculative. Still, if this UK startup can navigate funding, licensing, and production — the next chapter of BlackBerry might just be written.
Would you buy a new BlackBerry in 2026 if it had 5G, AI, and Android 15 — but kept the keyboard? Let us know.
