Nostalgia comes at a price: $400. That's the price Chinese company Zinwa Technologies wants to charge for a modernized BlackBerry Classic (also called the Q20). By that, we mean a BlackBerry running Android and with most of its components replaced. For the occasion, it has been renamed the Zinwa Q25. There is also a Pro version.
A 2025 smartphone in a 2014 phone body
Under the hood, we should find everything that makes a modern smartphone in the Q25 Pro, even if it's obviously not the latest components, namely a MediaTek G99 SoC, an eight-core chip clocked at 2GHz at its highest and equipped with a very entry-level 4G modem. The smartphone would offer 12GB of RAM, more than the iPhone 16, and 256GB of storage, which can be expanded using a microSD card. The retro smartphone would also see its battery go up to 3000mAh.
The company has even gone so far as to modernize the two cameras by replacing the original sensors to install a 50 Mpx rear sensor and an 8 Mpx front one.
All of this is a far cry from the industry standards at the time of its release in 2014. It had a dual-core chip clocked at 1.5 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of storage, and a 2515 mAh battery.
Ultimately, Zinwa Technologies has kept very few elements of its Q25, starting with the original touchscreen, a 3.5-inch IPS panel with a 720 x 720 resolution. The original casing and its keyboard (unfortunately QWERTY), which are the charm of a BlackBerry, have of course been retained. The casing has, however, been slightly modified to accommodate a USB-C port.
A project for enthusiasts
To carry out its refurbishment, which could even be described as upcycling, why not, the company relied on BlackBerry Q20s purchased second-hand. This is definitely a hobbyist project for hobbyists, so don't expect a high level of craftsmanship or long-term software support. The Google Play Store should still be installed.
If you're interested in the adventure, the Zinwa Q25 costs $400. A DIY version sells for $300. The first models will ship in August 2025.
Source: Tech Radar
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