BlackBerry to launch Android phone with no keyboard
Blackberry Motion's Locker Mode secures sensitive data on the device


BlackBerry has unveiled its new flagship phone that goes all-in on the touchscreen and dumps the vendor's usual physical keyboard.
Officially announced at the GITEX Technology Week, held in Dubai, yesterday, the Blackberry Motion is an Android-powered full touchscreen device made by TCL.
While Blackberry did not have much input on the design of the product, the phone will feature its Enterprise Services. Out of the box, the phone runs Android 7.1 Nougat, but will get Oreo in the new year.
As for hardware, the Motion sports a 5.5in IPS LCD display with 1080 x 1920 Full HD resolution. It also has a Snapdragon 625 octa-core SoC running at 2GHz, with an Adreno 506 GPU. It also boasts 4GB of RAM. It also has 32GB internal storage and a 4000mAh battery.
Alongside the battery, the phone comes with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, which enables up to a 50% charge in roughly 40 minutes using a USB Type-C charger. There is also a fingerprint sensor on the front of the device, which also doubles as a physical home button.
The Motion is also the first Blackberry device to be IP67 dust and water-resistant. Camera-wise, it has a 12MP rear camera with an f/2.0 aperture along with an 8MP front-facing camera.
A new security feature called Locker enables users to store documents and photos to an internal storage area that requires the device owner's PIN code or fingerprint to access. Locker Mode allows customers to capture images and directly save those photos to the internal storage area, so they are not automatically saved to a cloud service.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
"The launch of BlackBerry Motion allows us to further diversify our product offering, delivering new experiences while remaining steadfast with the privacy, reliability and productivity that have made BlackBerry so iconic over the years," said Alain Lejeune, global general manager for BlackBerry Mobile.
At present, the Motion is only available for pre-order in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. No price has been given nor has availability for other markets.
Image: BlackBerry Mobile/Twitter
Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.
-
Blackberry revenue falls by 4% as cyber security division takes hit
News Despite this, the company’s Internet of Things (IoT) division increased its revenue by 28% as it attracted new customers from the automotive sector
By Zach Marzouk
-
BlackBerry revival is officially dead as OnwardMobility shuts down
News The Texas-based startup is mysteriously shutting down and taking its ultra-secure 5G BlackBerry with it
By Bobby Hellard
-
BlackBerry and AWS are developing a standardized vehicle data platform
News Platform will give automakers a standardized way to process data from vehicle sensors in the cloud
By Rene Millman
-
BlackBerry thwarts mobile phishing attacks with new AI tools
News The company's Protect Mobile platform alerts users to potential malware before a link is clicked
By Tyler Omoth
-
BlackBerry Persona Desktop delivers zero-trust security at the endpoint
News New security solution learns user behavior and can take action if there’s an abnormality
By Justin Cupler
-
A 5G BlackBerry phone with physical keyboard is coming in 2021
News The business phone to be resurrected with OnwardMobility and FIH Mobile planning a security-savvy enterprise handset
By Bobby Hellard
-
The business smartphone is dead
In-depth BlackBerry’s demise signals the end of the business-first handset
By Carly Page
-
BlackBerry Key2 review: The best physical keyboard no one asked for
Reviews Despite the improvements, the flaws of BlackBerry’s Key range are still front and centre
By Bobby Hellard