ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Blackberry Announces It Is Bringing Back Touch-Screen Keyboard Phones

Blackberry Announces It Is Bringing Back Touch-Screen Keyboard Phones

Boom!

James Dawson

James Dawson

BlackBerry has announced it's bringing back its physical keyboard on its smartphones at the Mobile World Congress.

The company has ditched the touchscreen typing in its new phones but has now gone back to its roots.

Fans in the UK looking to get their hands on the brand new BlackBerry KEYone as soon as possible can already pre-order it. At this point, they have the pricing set at £494.98 including VAT and the expected time of shipment is currently set for April 10.

BlackBerry is hoping to bring back its ailing fortunes with the new mobile, which runs on Android but looks a lot like the phones it made when it was more popular.

BlackBerry is making the new phone in collaboration with manufacturer, TCL.

It comes just weeks after it emerged that BlackBerry's share of the mobile phone market is officially zero, the Independent reported.

It comes after Nokia announced it would be bringing back its iconic 3310 model in the second quarter of this year...

Nokia 3310 Returns

Originally revealed 17 years ago, Nokia has resurrected the classic mobile phone at MWC 2017, with a handful of modern tweaks.

More than 126 million of the original model were produced before it was phased out in 2005.

Unlike the brick-like sturdiness of the old 3310, the modern variant is a little smaller, thinner, and lighter.

Here's how the original was advertised...

Credit: Nokia

The new version of the handset has been treated to a makeover but is essentially the same.

The new model is 12.8mm thick and weighs 79.6g, as opposed to 22mm and 133g, meaning it looks fresher and slicker than its predecessor, with an enlarged, 2.4-inch 320 x 240 colour screen and significantly slimmer frame.

It's also now available in glossy red and yellow colour options, as well as the familiar grey and dark blue matte schemes.

The phone's main keys have been altered, with the large blue button being ditched, along with the 'C' and arrows buttons.

Replacing these is a square-shaped central keypad, flanked by large 'call' and 'end call' buttons.

"Nokia phones stir real emotions," said Juho Sarvika, the chief product officer of HMD Global.

Credit: PA Images

"For the Nokia 3310 we just couldn't resist. We wanted to reward loyal Nokia phone fans and make a statement that rich heritage, innovation and modern design can go hand-in-hand."

The handset is being marketed as a feature phone, and is designed to be used as a festival, weekend or as a 'fun' mobile.

The 3310 revamp is among four new handsets Nokia are announcing at the MWC, which is being held in Barcelona from 27 February to 2 March, 2017.

HMD is planning to make the new Nokia 3310 available in Q2 this year for around £50.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Choose your content: