Blackberry might not be as popular as they once were, but I’m still glad to see the Canadian company producing alternatives to the current crop of rectangular “slabs of glass” design that pretty much every other phone manufacturer has agreed on.
While it’s a bit more niche, for those of us who still enjoy a hardware keyboard, the Passport and Classic BB smartphones will be available on AT&T starting February 20th. The higher end Passport will drop for $199 on two year agreement, and the Classic will go for $49.99 on contract.
Are any of you thinking about jumping back on the BB bandwagon? You can find more info here, and AT&T’s full press release is below.
BlackBerry Passport and Classic Available from AT&T on February 20
Powerful Productivity for as Low as $0 Down on AT&T Next
Feb. 16, 2015 – AT&T1 announced that the BlackBerry® Passport and BlackBerry® Classic will be available at att.com and in AT&T retail stores on Feb. 20.
BlackBerry Passport Features
Exclusive to AT&T in the U.S., the BlackBerry Passport is available in a unique design with rounded edges. The BlackBerry Passport has a large 4.5-inch Full HD square touch screen and a touch-enabled QWERTY keyboard, giving you ideal content viewing without compromising portability. Built on BlackBerry’s secure BlackBerry 10 OS 10.3.1 operating system, the BlackBerry Passport runs on AT&T’s network: the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network and the network that has the nation’s strongest LTE signal,2 covering more than 300 million Americans.
BlackBerry Passport Pricing
The BlackBerry Passport will be available starting Feb. 20 for $0 down on an AT&T Next plan at $21.67 per month with AT&T Next 24,3 $27.09 with AT&T Next 183 or $32.50 per month with AT&T Next 12.3 You can also get the smartphone for $199.99 with a two-year agreement4 or at no annual commitment for $649.99.5
BlackBerry Classic Features
Designed for speed and accuracy, the BlackBerry Classic includes BlackBerry’s iconic QWERTY keyboard, trackpad and navigation keys, making it easy to communicate quickly and accurately with one hand. Although familiar in appearance, the BlackBerry Classic upgrades the BlackBerry® Bold 9900 experience with a faster browser, longer battery life and more screen space. It also comes with the secure BlackBerry 10 OS 10.3.1 operating system, offering customers access to commanding features including BlackBerry® Blend and BlackBerry® Assistant.
BlackBerry Classic Pricing
You can purchase the BlackBerry Classic for $0 down on an AT&T Next plan at $14 per month with AT&T Next 24,3 $17.50 per month with Next 183 or $21 per month with AT&T Next 12.3 You can also get the smartphone for $49.99 with a two-year agreement4 or at no annual commitment for $419.99.5
Supporting Quotes
“The BlackBerry Passport is ideal for the mobile professional who wants an innovative wireless device focused on security and productivity. Available first in the U.S. on the AT&T network, customers will benefit from the uniquely designed Passport’s enhanced features, including a wider screen, 32GB of storage, and a 3450 mAh battery.” –Jeff Bradley, SVP, Device Marketing and Developer Services, AT&T
“The BlackBerry Classic is an excellent addition to AT&T’s leading line-up of smartphones. AT&T customers will be thrilled with the Classic. It blends the best of familiar features, such as BlackBerry’s QWERTY keyboard with enhanced capabilities including BlackBerry Blend and Assistant.” –Jeff Bradley, SVP, Device Marketing and Developer Services, AT&T
Supporting Resources
- BlackBerry Passport Video
- BlackBerry Passport Press Release(CES 2015)
- BlackBerry Classic Video
- BlackBerry Classic Press Release(CES 2015)
AT&T was the first wireless carrier to launch a BlackBerry device in the U.S. with the BlackBerry 950 in 1999; first with a GSM enabled product with the BlackBerry 5810 and 5820 in 2002; and the first and only to launch the exclusive BlackBerry Torch with full QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen in 2011. The BlackBerry Z10 was the first BlackBerry smartphone to run on AT&T’s 4G LTE network.
1AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
2Nationwide carriers’ LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not avail. everywhere.
3Requires 20-mth or 24-mth 0% APR installment agreement and qualifying credit and wireless service. Tax due at sale. If wireless service cancelled, device balance due. Service costs additional. Other charges and restrictions apply. AT&T Next Requirements: www.att.com/shop/wireless/next.html#fbid=mkEz9ThvDiO.
4$199.99 pricing for Passport and $49.99 for Classic. Requires 2-year agreement with qualifying data plan. Activation/upgrade, early termination and other fees, and restrictions apply. Pricing Requirements: www.att.com/att/planner/index.html#fbid=yRbS77904im.
5Requires activation of new line of qualified wireless service.