Blackberry is tripling down on their Android investment according to a new article from VentureBeat. The article outlines three upcoming handsets from the Canadian based manufacturer, with specs and release schedule.
Evan Blass, otherwise known as internet leaker @evleaks is the source of the spec lists for the three devices code-named Neon, Argon and Mercury. The choice of code-names is odd with the first two based on noble gasses with very low chemical reactivity, while the third is a heavy, liquid metal that can kill you. The specs on the devices range from mid to high range, with Qualcomm SoC’s powering all three devices.
Specs for the devices include:
| Neon | Argon | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| 5.2” FullHD (1920×1080) display | 5.5” QHD (2560×1440) display | 4.5” FullHD (1920×1080) Display |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 |
| 3GB RAM | 4GB RAM | 3GB RAM |
| 16GB Storage | 32GB Storage | 32GB Storage |
| 13MP Rear Camera/8MP Front Camera | 21MP Rear Camera/8MP Front Camera | 18MP Rear Camera/8MP Front Camera |
| 2,610mAh | 3,000mAh battery | 3,400mAh battery |
| USB-C | ||
| Fingerprint reader |
Of the three, only the Mercury appears to have a hardware keyboard, a feature that Blackberry devices have been known for since their inception, including their first-gen Android device the Blackberry Priv.
According to Evan, the devices will be released every quarter, with the Neon model first off the blocks due to be announced either this month or next month. We’ll be in contact with Blackberry Australia for local availability once officially announced.
