BlackBerry has detailed a strange new square smartphone called the Passport. Here's what you need to know about the BlackBerry Passport release date, price and specs in the UK. See also: The best smartphones: The best phones you can buy in 2014.
It wasn't too long ago when it was pretty cool to have a BlackBerry but the Canadian firm has been dominated by the iPhone and Android smartphones recently. Despite its demise, BlackBerry has shown off a new device called the Passport. Is it now so square that it's cool?
BlackBerry said "Many have thought that creativity around the design of smartphones was dead," adding that "the rectangle has become a de facto approach to smartphone design, perhaps limiting innovations."
BlackBerry Passport: Release date UK
Following the London launch of the BlackBerry Passport, the smartphone is available to buy straight away from ShopBlackBerry. It will also be available as the usual retailers such as Amazon and additionally Selfridges (the Carphone Warehouse store-in-store).
The price for this new smartphone in the UK is £529 which is £10 cheaper than the iPhone 6. However, Clove has it for £499 if you can wait until 29 September.
BlackBerry Passport: Specs
The BlackBerry Passport has a 4.5in (1440 x 1440) screen which is square – an aspect ratio of 1:1. The firm says the passport was the inspiration for the size and form factor for this new smartphone although the last time a look at my passport it wasn't square. See also: Android L vs iOS 8.
BlackBerry says it offers a similar amount of viewing space compared to a 5in phone but a better experience because of its width. Most smartphones can display 40 characters across the screen but the Passport outpaces them at 60. It's ideal for reading e-books, viewing documents and browsing the web, according to BlackBerry.
As well as coming with BlackBerry 10.3 OS installed, the Passport supports Android apps via the Amazon Appstore.
Other than the unorthodox screen, the BlackBerry Passport has a quad-core processor, Adreno 330 GPU, 3GB of RAM and a 13Mp rear facing camera.
"Consider how IMAX movies begin with the screens set to a more traditional 16:9 aspect ratio projection for conventional movie trailers, before expanding to their true dimensions (and the audience goes, “ooh”). The Passport is like the IMAX of productivity, and you don’t have to sacrifice screen real estate, vertically or horizontally." said the firm.
OS: BlackBerry 10.3 OS
Processor: 2.2 GHz Quad-core processor, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
Screen: 4.5in extra wide LCD display (1440 x 1440)
Keyboard: 3 row QWERTY keyboard, use the keyboard as a touchpad
Storage: 32 GB internal storage, microSD (up to 128 GB)
Connectivity: 4G LTE connectivity, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11n Wi-Fi
Camera: 13 Mp camera with OIS (optical image stabilisation)
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Comments
Ogunwale said: This phone looks to be specifically designed to assist productivity on the move Loving the refreshing design too
Susan Roseblade said: Cant wait to own itas a Canadian I have stuck by Blackberry and now I am so excited to see they have finally gotten back to business
marcus010276 said: looks great a breath of fresh air I hope the apps are improved and developers see the potential Nothing more annoying than seeing cool apps only available for android and apple
fred ramsy said: This is a very interesting phone indeed Ive been using BB 9900 for over three years Never had aproblem with it at all but its starting to get old and aoutdated I will definitely consider the new passport One of the things I really like about it is that there is no need to for any of that annoying change screenn orientation thing
chabbs said: I cant wait to see it Will probably get it
TaxiTime said: Aside from a small number of sycophants the stumpy device will have little appear
Walter Arseneault said: You shouldwrite What a fantastic physical keyboard Passport keyboard is working just like the Incredible Z30s touchscreenkeyboardHave you ever use the Z30 Its the best touchscreen keyboard on the marketIncredible the Passport whole keyboard works like a huge trackpadBetter its just like playing with a Pinballs MachineYou shoot the word up on the lineFlick the words showing off at the bottom of the screenIts fun amp easy with this Ready-to-Type SmartphoneYou can enjoy your screen display fully amp permanently all the timeYou dont have to play hide amp seek with a touchscreen keyboardIts a Ready-to-Watch SmartphoneEven with the world best keyboard on boardyou can speak instead of writingBB 103 come a new Voice CommandPassport is a Ready-to-Talk SmartphoneYou can make Full HD Video Conference Call in Stereo with 4microphonesThis will be your best companionPassport will never leave your pocketThis is a luxurious 4WD Smartphone
NW said: Yep Roll on Q4
Prasanna said: i want one
super cool for blackberry said: Want one
Josh said: It looks awesome I cant wait to try it out
LT said: Cant wait for it
garry said: I have an iphone which is getting rather boring Ill definitely look for this when it comes out Im up for a hardware upgrade in 2 weeks
Shawn Burk said: This is all great news for BlackBerry Cant wait to try this out
Davyd said: Waiting on the classic myself Prefer phones to be small but capable
tag said: dude comments like this will not get you traffic smoke some weed and a great marketing idea will come along
Reuben Harper said: sold
3aliensfromsaturn said: I guess you never travelled and probably never held a passport
RazTheLast said: Price will be a major factor in my decision Am a fan of this terminal to be clear
LotusStyle said: I actually hate how skinny phones are getting and this would be a welcome and refreshing change Definitely a much better web browsing email and texting experience Seems like more of a mini tablet than a smartphone I will definitely consider getting one