BlackBerry (BB) shares experienced a remarkable 9.70% surge in Tuesday's extended trading session, following news that a Chinese technology company plans to breathe new life into the iconic BlackBerry design. This unexpected development has reignited investor interest in the former smartphone giant, now primarily focused on cybersecurity and IoT solutions.
Zinwa Technologies, a Chinese tech firm, unveiled plans to launch the Zinwa Q25, a modern smartphone that pays homage to the beloved BlackBerry Classic (Q20). The device will feature the signature QWERTY keyboard and trackpad, coupled with contemporary specifications including a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and the Android 13 operating system. While BlackBerry itself is not directly involved in this project, the market's enthusiastic response suggests that investors see potential value in the enduring appeal of the BlackBerry design.
The announcement has sparked speculation about potential new revenue streams for BlackBerry through licensing agreements or renewed interest in the brand. As BlackBerry continues its transition into a software and services company, this unexpected nod to its hardware legacy appears to have rekindled investor optimism. The Zinwa Q25 is slated for release in August 2025, with plans for additional models based on other classic BlackBerry designs, potentially opening up further opportunities for BlackBerry in the future.