Earlier this year BlackBerry announced that TCL Communication will stop selling BlackBerry-branded mobile devices from August 31, 2020 as the deal that was signed with TCL is coming to an end. Today a Texas-based startup OnwardMobility has signed an agreement with BlackBerry and FIH Mobile Limited, a subsidiary of Foxconn to sell new smartphones.
The first one will be a 5G BlackBerry Android smartphone with a physical keyboard that will be introduced in the first half of 2021 in North America and Europe. The company plans to launch more smartphones in 2021 since it says 5G smartphones are coming next year.
OnwardMobility said that it will conduct product planning and market development for BlackBerry smartphones in North America and FIH Mobile will design and manufacture the BlackBerry devices under strict guidelines to ensure component, device and supply chain integrity.
John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO, BlackBerry, said:
BlackBerry is thrilled OnwardMobility will deliver a BlackBerry 5G smartphone device with physical keyboard leveraging our high standards of trust and security synonymous with our brand. We are excited that customers will experience the enterprise and government level security and mobile productivity the new BlackBerry 5G smartphone will offer.