In times past, owning a BlackBerry was a global status symbol. Whether you were a student, a young professional, or even a parent trying to keep up with the times, having a BlackBerry, especially the likes of Bold, Curve, or Classic, meant you could afford some luxury.
The physical keyboard, ping notifications, blinking LED light, and strong security features made it the first choice for everyone. It was more than just a phone; it was a way of life. Despite the glamour that was associated with these devices, they inadvertently lost their market share to more innovative brands, especially the iPhone
Now, in a twist of nostalgia and innovation, Chinese tech company Zinwa Technologies is bringing back the iconic BlackBerry Classic, but with a modern twist.
The Zinwa Q25 keeps the spirit of the original BlackBerry Classic (also known as the Q20) alive, but it’s been upgraded with newer hardware to suit today’s tech needs. The design still includes the signature 720×720 touchscreen, physical QWERTY keyboard, and the famous notification LED light that lets you know you have a message without even turning on your screen. The outer shell also stays true to the original design.
The real charm of the Q25 is that it runs Android 13, meaning you can now enjoy apps from the Google Play Store while still typing on the legendary keyboard. While it won’t support Android 14 or future OS versions, Zinwa says they’ll continue sending regular updates to fix bugs and add minor improvements.
For those who loved how BlackBerry made communication personal and efficient, Zinwa has made sure to include the updated optical trackpad, so that users can navigate with precision.
The device also comes with a bunch of modern features; USB-C charging, NFC for mobile payments, a headphone jack, MicroSD card support, and compatibility with all global 4G LTE networks. It’s also a single-SIM device, which keeps things simple for users who don’t need dual-SIM functionality.
And here’s the interesting part; you can either buy the fully assembled Zinwa Q25 for $400 (about GH₵400- GH₵4,500), or if you still have your old BlackBerry Classic lying around, you can get a $300 (about GH₵3000 -GH₵3500) conversion kit to upgrade it yourself.
Zinwa says shipping will start in early August 2025, and this is just the beginning. The company is also working on bringing back the BlackBerry KEYone and Passport, which might be called the K25 and P26 in the future.
So, for all the Ghanaian tech lovers and former BBM pingers out there, the Q25 is bringing back the vibes, but this time, with Google Maps, YouTube, WhatsApp, and your favorite social media platforms fully working.
