The return of the OG: Chinese firm wants to Androidify the BlackBerry Classic and sell it for $400, with Passport and KEYone to follow

 

Zinwa Technologies, a Chinese tech firm, is gearing up to revive the iconic BlackBerry Classic (Q20) — this time as the Zinwa Q25, perfectly timed for 2025.

The upcoming device promises to deliver updated hardware while preserving many of the beloved features that made the original BlackBerry Classic a fan favorite. Users can expect:

→ A familiar 720 x 720 touchscreen display
→ The signature physical keyboard
→ The recognizable LED notification light
→ The classic outer shell design that defined BlackBerry’s identity

This project seeks to merge the nostalgic charm of the BlackBerry form factor with modern smartphone functionality, offering a unique option for fans of tactile keyboards and productivity-focused devices in today’s touchscreen-dominated market.

Classic BlackBerry Design Meets Modern Hardware

While the Zinwa Q25 stays true to the iconic design of the BlackBerry Classic, the internals have been completely modernized to meet today’s performance standards.

Key hardware upgrades include:

→ A MediaTek Helio G99 processor delivering solid mid-range performance
→ 12GB of LPDDR4x RAM for smooth multitasking
→ 256GB UFS 2.x storage, offering fast read/write speeds and ample space for apps and media
→ An upgraded 3,000mAh battery for better endurance over the original model
→ A 50MP rear camera paired with an 8MP front camera for clear shots and video calls

On the software side, the Zinwa Q25 will ship with Android 13 pre-installed. Although there are no plans to upgrade beyond Android 13, Zinwa has committed to rolling out regular updates for bug fixes and minor enhancements.

Additional modern features include:

→ NFC support for contactless payments
→ USB-C charging port
→ A classic 3.5mm headphone jack
→ MicroSD card slot for expandable storage
→ Single SIM slot compatible with global 4G LTE bands

One standout feature is the refreshed trackpad, which Zinwa confirmed in an interview with Returning Retro will function just like the original BlackBerry Classic:

→ It acts as both a cursor and a directional pad, depending on the selected mode

The Zinwa Q25 aims to offer a perfect blend of retro charm and modern usability, appealing to fans of tactile keyboards and productivity-first smartphones.