OnwardMobility's plans to revive BlackBerry 5G phones have finally stalled. Originally targeted to launch in 2021, the phone is now dead before it can be reborn.
The development of the phone was announced in 2020 after OnwardMobility obtained a license to use the BlackBerry name. The phone will reportedly use the same design as the BlackBerry Priv, complete with a physical keyboard and slider design, as well as 5G support.
Although the launch target was missed, OnwardMobility had given news earlier this year saying that the HP BlackBerry project was not dead. They admit that they are facing some issues so they can't launch their phones in 2021, but they hope to provide updates soon.
Now it seems the situation has changed. CrackBerry reports that several sources have confirmed that OnwardMobility and its dream BlackBerry 5G cellphone are dead, as quoted from The Verge, Saturday (12/2/2022).
AndroidPolice later added that the license to use the BlackBerry name held by OnwardMobility had just been cancelled, and BlackBerry CEO John Chen was reluctant to see the BlackBerry name used on other phones. Supply chain problems are also making things worse.
It is not known whether after this OnwardMobility will still release new phones without the BlackBerry brand, or discontinue its business. Interestingly, in its latest update published last month, OnwardMobility did not mention the BlackBerry name.
BlackBerry left the smartphone business in 2016 to focus on cybersecurity products and services for the enterprise. The BlackBerry name has been licensed several times to other vendors, such as TCL and Optiemus Infracom.
Not long ago, BlackBerry stopped supporting the BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10 operating systems that are still used by older phones. This Canadian company also recently sold patents related to cellphones and BlackBerry Messenger for USD 600 million.