The BlackBerry Leap will launch this Spring with a sub-200 price tag, targeting entrepreneurs and start-ups.
The mid-tier device is designed to act as an entry-level business smartphone, and while its specs can't match those from the likes of Sony or Samsung, its battery could be one of its biggest assets.
Cash-strapped startups interested in the phone could come to rely on the 25-hour battery life - if the Leap can deliver on BlackBerry's promises, that is - especially when compared to the underwhelming performance of devices such as the iPhone.
Despite having a 5in touchscreen (1280 x 720), the mid-tier price has necessitated compromises elsewhere. The Leap uses a two-year-old dual-core, 1.5GHz CPU, 2GB of RAM and aforementioned 720p display.
Other core features include 4G connectivity and 16GB of onboard flash memory, which can be increased through micro SD (up to 128GB).
One area where BlackBerry is making full use of its pedigree is in security. The company's Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) arm has been gaining steam, with Mobile World Congress witnessing a partnership between Samsung Knox and BlackBerry Enterprise Server 12.
This expertise will be transferred to the Leap, with encryption support, malware protection, and the ability to backup, wipe and restore your data all built-in. This puts the Leap in the same niche as the recently announced Blackphone 2, which also bills itself as a fully-secured smartphone.
The Leap will be pre-loaded with BlackBerry's latest operating system, OS 10.3.1. In addition to native apps and the much-loved BlackBerry Hub, the OS also comes with BlackBerry's Blend software for sharing files and notifications across different devices and BlackBerry's take on a Siri-style digital assistant.
The company has also announced plans to produce a further three handsets this year, including a keyboard-based smartphone and has also teased a slider model.
This article was originally written on 3 March 2015, and was updated on 23 March 2015 to reflect the latest specs and news.
-
M&S suspends online sales as 'cyber incident' continuesNews Marks & Spencer (M&S) has informed customers that all online and app sales have been suspended as the high street retailer battles a ‘cyber incident’.
-
Manners cost nothing, unless you’re using ChatGPTOpinion Polite users are costing OpenAI millions of dollars each year – but Ps and Qs are a small dent in what ChatGPT could cost the planet
-
Blackberry revenue falls by 4% as cyber security division takes hitNews Despite this, the company’s Internet of Things (IoT) division increased its revenue by 28% as it attracted new customers from the automotive sector
-
BlackBerry revival is officially dead as OnwardMobility shuts downNews The Texas-based startup is mysteriously shutting down and taking its ultra-secure 5G BlackBerry with it
-
BlackBerry and AWS are developing a standardized vehicle data platformNews Platform will give automakers a standardized way to process data from vehicle sensors in the cloud
-
BlackBerry thwarts mobile phishing attacks with new AI toolsNews The company's Protect Mobile platform alerts users to potential malware before a link is clicked
-
BlackBerry Persona Desktop delivers zero-trust security at the endpointNews New security solution learns user behavior and can take action if there’s an abnormality
-
A 5G BlackBerry phone with physical keyboard is coming in 2021News The business phone to be resurrected with OnwardMobility and FIH Mobile planning a security-savvy enterprise handset
-
The business smartphone is deadIn-depth BlackBerry’s demise signals the end of the business-first handset
-
BlackBerry Key2 review: The best physical keyboard no one asked forReviews Despite the improvements, the flaws of BlackBerry’s Key range are still front and centre
