A new product leak has revealed what could be BlackBerry’s upcoming ‘Hamburg’ phone, which will reportedly bear the name NEON.
Recently, we heard our first indication that BlackBerry is actively producing one of two intended follow-ups to its premium Priv handset under the codename Hamburg. Now, a new leak has revealed what the device – with its trading name, NEON – could look like.
Judging by appearances, it would seem BlackBerry have indeed partnered with TCL Communications (Alcatel) to product its next phone, as the alleged NEON model strongly resembles the Alcatel Idol 4.
Read: Blackberry is allegedly producing a new handset, codenamed Hamburg
BlackBerry reportedly partnered with TCL Communications in an agreement that will see the latter produce and manufacture a new handset, while BlackBerry would focus on design and software.
Recent specifications posted to GFXBench last month match those of Alcatel’s Idol 4, lending credence to the idea that this could be BlackBerry’s newest device.
Should that listing prove accurate, the NEON would arrive with a 5.2″ display with a 1080p resolution, which would be run by a Snapdragon 615 chipset, an oct-core 1.5Ghz CPU, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, with a 12-megapixel and 7-megapixel camera setup completing the package.
The worrying indication for BlackBerry is that the NEON will arrive as an essentially re-branded Idol 4. In the UK, Alcatel traded its Idol 4s smartphone under the moniker of the Vodafone Smart Platinum 7.
BlackBerry’s ‘Hamburg’ device was one of two intended follow-ups to the flagship Priv, which released earlier this year. The Priv incorporated a physical and virtual keyboard, and brought with it a hefty price tag leading to slow consumer adoption.
Read: Here‘s what BlackBerry needs to do to save itself
What are your thoughts on the alleged BlackBerry NEON? Would you buy this device, or does it skirt to close to Alcatel’s design language for your liking? Be sure to let us know your verdict in the comments below, and listen in to the latest episode of Bandwidth Blog On Air, where we discussed our thoughts on BlackBerry’s ‘Hamburg’ smartphone!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
