New renders hint at a BlackBerry with an interesting take on the physical keyboard of the future

The start-up OnwardMobility has announced its plan to reboot the iconic BlackBerry name with the brand's first-ever 5G model. Rumors of this smartphone, projected to be called the "Key3", have resulted in renders incorporating a physical keyboard. However, the latest round of such images are a considerable departure from the last.

Earlier work has imagined that this next-gen BlackBerry will have to be a markedly tall device in order to shoe-horn its signature feature in there. However, the latest renders, created by Niel D on Behance, "re-thinks" this idea and comes up with a relatively short, squat form-factor with a single extra-large rear camera that is patently geared towards keyboard space. Then again, the buttons in question are considerably different to what might be expected.

Rather than a conventional array of conventional button-phone keys, the board is essentially a continuation of the display on this "New B Berry", albeit one divided into the tiny squares (and larger rectangle for the space-bar) required. This leaves scope for number/symbol and emoji "display keys", and also means they can change appearance for different modes, call management and music controls included.

Niel D also imagines they could also convert into an extension of the main display at need, although this would give a slightly odd "video-wall" effect. All in all, it is an interesting concept, although it would almost certainly prove complicated and expensive to manufacture in real life. As for the "real" next-gen BlackBerry, it is still slated to launch during the remainder of 2021.

Buy a Unihertz Titan on Amazon