BlackBerry launches two smartphones, but you shouldn't buy them
What's the story
After launch of the nostalgia-inducing BlackBerry Key2, the smartphone maker, today, launched two new smartphones in India - Evolve, and Evolve X. Manufactured by Optiemus Infracom, the two, full-length display, Android-based smartphones were launched at an event in Delhi. The Evolve and the Evolve X have been priced at Rs. 24,990 and Rs. 34,990, respectively. Unfortunately, they don't offer anything new.
Evolve
What BlackBerry Evolve offers under the hood
The BlackBerry Evolve is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 SoC, an Adreno 506 GPU, packs 4GB of RAM, and a 4,000mAh battery. The Evolve sports a 5.99-inch FullHD+ display, and comes with a 12MP+13MP dual-camera set up on the back, and a 16MP fixed-focus, selfie camera with LED flash. The Android Oreo phone offers 64GB internal storage, expandable up to 256GB.
Evolve X
The Evolve X is a more powerful version of Evolve
The more expensive Evolve X also sports a 5.99-inch FullHD+ display, but packs a more powerful punch with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC, and 6GB of RAM. In the camera department, the Evolve X offers dual 13MP rear cameras, and a 16MP fixed focus selfie camera with LED flash. Storage capacity, and battery are identical to that of Evolve's.
Other features
Other notable features of the two new smartphones
Both the smartphones will come with 3.5mm jack, Type-C USB ports, USB 2.0 support, fast-charging capabilities, fingerprint sensors, and facial recognition unlocking. Notably, the Evolve X will also support wireless charging. Additionally, BlackBerry is also touting robust security features - which has traditionally been one of its strengths - and both smartphones will come with BlackBerry's DTEK security app pre-installed.
Availability
You'll have to wait a bit for these smartphones
Both the BlackBerry Evolve and the BlackBerry Evolve X will be available exclusively on Amazon India. However, while the Evolve will be available from end-August, the Evolve X will go on sale from mid-September. Launch offers include a Rs. 3,950 cashback by Reliance Jio, and a 5% cashback on EMI transactions for ICICI Bank card holders.
Editor's take
At this price, there are better alternatives in the market
While these launches mark fresh efforts by BlackBerry to attract new customers, there's nothing new or exceptional that the Evolve series offers. With the Evolve and Evolve X being priced at Rs. 24,990 and Rs. 34,990, there remain plenty of other options on the market that offer much superior hardware for similar prices. Cases in point - Nokia 7 Plus, Moto X4, OnePlus 6.