BlackBerry Revival: Zinwa Q25 Pro Brings Classic Design With Android, Passport and KeyOne Might Come Back As Well
BlackBerry was once more than just a smartphone brand, it was a cultural phenomenon. The sight of someone using a BlackBerry instantly conveyed importance, thanks to its signature QWERTY keyboard and business-oriented design. Years after its decline, nostalgia for the brand remains strong, and one company is attempting to bring it back with a modern twist.
Zinwa Technologies Reviving BlackBerry with Modern Day Android
A Chinese firm, Zinwa Technologies, is reviving the BlackBerry Classic Q20 by retrofitting it with new hardware and Android support. The reimagined device, known as the Zinwa Q25 Pro, blends the familiar look of a BlackBerry with the performance of a mid-range Android smartphone.
To make the BlackBerry Classic compatible with Android, Zinwa has equipped the device with a redesigned main board powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. The original touchscreen remains, ensuring smooth interaction with the Android interface while preserving the device’s retro feel.
Other upgrades include:
- A battery capacity increase of nearly 15%
- A 50MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera
- USB Type-C charging port, replacing the outdated micro USB
- 4G LTE connectivity, though 5G is not supported
One highlight for BlackBerry enthusiasts is the working capacitive trackpad, which functions seamlessly on the Android-powered device.
Software and Support for Zinwa Q25 Pro
The Zinwa Q25 Pro currently runs on a minimalist build of Android 13. While there are no confirmed plans for future software updates, Zinwa has indicated that development may continue if enough users express interest. Buyers should be aware that long-term Android version support is unlikely at this stage.
Availability and Pricing
Zinwa is pricing the revived BlackBerry at $400 (approximately RM1,682), while offering a DIY kit for $320 (approximately RM1,345) for those who want to upgrade their own BlackBerry Classic Q20. Replacement modules such as the battery and camera are also being sold separately.
Shipping for the first 100 backers took place at the end of August 2025, with mass production planned for mid-September. If everything goes well, wider shipments will begin sometime in end of 2025 to early 2026.
Future Possibilities
If the project proves successful, Zinwa may consider reviving other BlackBerry models such as the Passport and KeyOne, the latter of which originally shipped with Android pre-installed. With upcoming versions of Android introducing better support for physical keyboards, the timing could be ideal for a BlackBerry-inspired comeback.
Enthusiasts can follow development progress and shipping updates through Zinwa’s official Discord channel.
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