Tech News

Reviving the Past: The Resurgence of Classic BlackBerry Phones in 2026

Published

2 months ago

January 27, 2026

BTI Team

In summary

Interest and hype around BlackBerry continues into 2026

Viral social media videos show influencers ditching modern smartphones for classic models in a ‘digital detox’

A Chinese firm has relaunched the Q20 Classic with upgraded hardware and Android 13

More alternatives continue to appear from Unihertz and Clicks

Once the height of the mobile market, the humble BlackBerry was a must-have phone, in part for how BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) completely changed the game for messaging on the go, paving the way for the likes of WhatsApp and iMessage. Although the brand is now largely defunct, that hasn’t stopped BlackBerry from having a vinyl-like revival, which has spiralled into a viral trend.

As more people continue to embrace the idea of moving away from traditional smartphones in the hope of having a healthier, less dependent relationship with their tech, the BlackBerry has swooped in as a promise of what could have been if candybar-style phones hadn’t taken off and completely dominated the market.

With all BlackBerry phones now being completely second-hand, however, trying to get your hands on one can be quite an endeavour, but there are plenty of companies looking to fill the gap with their own physical keyboard clone devices. To know more about the BlackBerry revival and better understand the options available to you (if you’re tempted to take the plunge yourself), keep on reading.

Is BlackBerry making a new phone in 2026?

In a word, no. Don’t expect there to be a new BlackBerry phone anytime soon or possibly ever. There was supposed to be a new BlackBerry model in 2021, but it never happened.

While you can keep on scrolling to find out exactly what happened to that phone, you’ll be glad to know that there are options out there for anyone in the market for a BlackBerry-esque experience.

Near the end of last year, the long-awaited Zinwa Q25 Pro came to market, providing an updated reskin of the BlackBerry Classic, effectively giving fans a means of enjoying the traditional BlackBerry design but with more modern components that make it a viable handset in 2026.

The phone also runs Android as standard, so you have access to crucial software such as WhatsApp and Instagram.

Zinwa

Other upgrades include 12GB RAM alongside the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, and 4G compatibility so you can connect to nearby network signals without issue. Unfortunately, the Q25 Pro is not available in India as a result of the country’s regulations regarding imported tech, which forced the company to cancel and refund all India-based pre-orders.

The company is also planning a similar refurbishing process for the BlackBerry Passport, this time labelled the Zinwa P26, but we’ll make sure to update this section once more information appears.

For an entirely new device, there’s the Zinwa Q27, described as a ‘modern BlackBerry clone’, but it won’t arrive before May 2026, according to the site.

It will have a 3.92-inch AMOLED screen, MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor and run Android 16. Two other options come in the form of the Unihertz Titan 2 Elite and the Clicks Communicator (below).

Despite being similar in appearance, these two devices have different approaches to usability.

With a promised five years of software updates, the Titan 2 Elite is being positioned as a genuine alternative within the Android phone market, whilst the Cicks Communicator is pitched as a companion device to your main phone, being a distraction-free device that lets you lock in with typing and messaging.

Chris Hall / Foundry

There’s also the Clicks Power Keyboard, which is now available to pre-order for £81/$109 and is ideal for anyone who wants to add a bit of BlackBerry functionality to their phone without swapping to an entirely new device.

Because it connects to your phone via a MagSafe connection, it’s best designed for users of the iPhone 12 onwards, although it can also be used in tandem with the Pixel 10 range of phones.

Why are BlackBerry phones getting popular in 2025/26?

There’s recent hype for BlackBerry largely due to a viral trend on social media.

It appears that some Gen Zs, after recycling various other 2000s trends and fashions, have adopted BlackBerry as a new go-to mobile phone option.

The idea being, like basic Nokias, is that it’s a way to detox from the addictive nature of a full-blown smartphone. Less doomscrolling, in-app purchases, binging YouTube videos when you should be asleep and such like. It’s appealing to me, and I’m not even close to being Gen Z.

Viral TikTok hits include this clip from shozie_055 with the caption “POV: you bought a blackberry in 2025 bc your iPhone is ruining your life.” and has millions of views.

There are also plenty of YouTubers reviewing phones like the BlackBerry Classic in a ‘still worth buying?’ way.

It seems to be a follow-on trend from the ‘flip phone challenge’, where you ditch your modern smartphone for an old-style basic flip phone like the iconic Motorola V3 for a period of time, or as long as you can.

“` Our Mobile Editor experimented with using a BlackBerry phone for a week, even though it wasn’t a flip model. Interestingly, viral videos promoting the switch from iPhones or Android phones to BlackBerries have been circulating on TikTok, a platform where screen time should ideally be reduced. However, it’s worth noting that TikTok doesn’t run on BlackBerry devices.

If you’re considering using an old BlackBerry phone in 2026, as long as the device is functional and you have a compatible charger, there’s nothing stopping you. Models like the KeyOne, Key2, Passport, Q10, Curve 8520, and Bold series are still in use by some users. The BlackBerry Classic, released in 2014, is a popular choice due to its iconic design and modern features.

However, using these older devices may come with limitations. The lack of support for modern apps like WhatsApp and the absence of security updates pose potential risks. It’s advisable to avoid using high-risk services or banking apps on these devices to mitigate security concerns.

If you’re hesitant about using an old BlackBerry, there are alternative options available, such as modernized versions like the Zinwa Q25 Pro or upcoming models like the Unihertz Titan 2 Elite. Additionally, the Clicks range offers products like the Clicks Communicator and Clicks Power Keyboard, catering to those looking for a balance between nostalgia, simplicity, and security. Alternatively, opting for a modern basic phone or ‘dumb phone’ can also be a secure and straightforward choice.

The Rise and Fall of OnwardMobility’s 5G BlackBerry: A Story of Promise and Disappointment

Back in late July 2021, there was a glimmer of hope for BlackBerry fans as OnwardMobility announced its “Pre-Commitment Program”. This program aimed to involve fans and businesses in the development process of the first 5G BlackBerry, offering them early pre-order access once the phone was ready for launch.

Despite the initial excitement, the reality was that no actual ‘Berry had materialized at that point. The sign-up page for the program provided some insight into OnwardMobility’s progress, revealing that development was underway but final specifications and features were still undecided.

As the legacy BlackBerry devices lost software support in early 2022, attention turned back to OnwardMobility. The company had gone silent, leaving fans in the dark about the progress of its debut device and the expected release date.

Amid mounting speculation, a blog post from OnwardMobility reassured fans that the project was not dead. The company promised more regular updates to address questions about the development of the device, acknowledging the challenges faced in launching a new phone in 2021.

However, the optimism was short-lived. On February 10, 2022, news broke that OnwardMobility’s efforts had come to an end. BlackBerry had decided to cancel the company’s license, preventing them from using the BlackBerry name. This decision followed BlackBerry’s sale of its mobile patent portfolio, signaling a shift in focus towards cybersecurity.

With the loss of the BlackBerry branding and ongoing delays, OnwardMobility made the difficult choice to shut down entirely. The company’s website was replaced by a final message thanking fans for their support.

While the specifics of the canceled device remained vague, it was clear that there was a push for a secure, feature-rich 5G-ready phone to enhance productivity. The project seemed to draw inspiration from the BlackBerry Priv, the last phone produced by BlackBerry before its transition to a cybersecurity-focused brand.

In the end, the story of OnwardMobility’s 5G BlackBerry serves as a cautionary tale in the fast-paced world of tech innovation, where promises of new devices can quickly fade away.

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