BlackBerry to launch absurd 4.5-inch QWERTY Passport phone in September

By Malarie Gokey June 19, 2014

Read our full BlackBerry Passport review.

BlackBerry just won’t give up on its handset business. According to CNet, CEO John Chen told investors and members of the company that BlackBerry will release a new smartphone this September. The device’s name is Passport and it’s the biggest BlackBerry smartphone yet. The Passport will feature a 4.5-inch square display and a physical QWERTY keyboard.

Although most of the device’s specs remain unknown, the size, shape, and resolution of its display are no mystery. The Passport’s display will measure 4.5-inches and be perfectly square. The square display has a resolution of 1440 × 1440 pixels, which is undoubtedly impressive, but then things get a little weird. BlackBerry tacked its famous keyboard at the bottom of this large display, adding quite a lot of extra length to an already large smartphone.

It’s unclear exactly how much more length the keyboard will add to the device, but based on the size of the BlackBerry Q10‘s keyboard, it could add almost two inches to the Passport’s length. The smartphone could measure anywhere between 6 to 7 inches long, making it at least as long as the massive Samsung Galaxy Mega, if not longer.

For those of you who don’t know, the Mega has a 6.3-inch display and measures almost 6.6 inches long. The Passport will also be wider than the Mega, given that its display measures 4.5 inches wide. The Mega is just under 3.5 inches wide. Back in 2012, LG launched a square phablet called the Optimus Vu, which was also unwieldy and square with a 5.5-inch display.

In other words, the BlackBerry Passport sounds like it will be phablet-sized, but without the benefit of a truly large display. Although the Passport’s larger display and physical keyboard may attract a few loyal BlackBerry fans who’ve been waiting for a phablet, it probably won’t attract many new customers. Regardless, we will see what the Passport looks like in real life this September when it launches.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Digital Trends Contributor

As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…

Mobile

BlackBerry Key2 LE: Everything you need to know

The BlackBerry Key2 LE is back home at Verizon, but only for business types

BlackBerry Key2 LE Hands On

The BlackBerry Key LE is a lower-cost version of the Key2, doing away with some of the more high-tech features seen on the expensive sister phone, and cutting costs by using different materials for the body, to create a more affordable but still distinctly BlackBerry smartphone.

You can check out our Key2 LE review to learn more about what it's like to live with the phone, but in the meantime, here are all the technical specs, details, and availability options.
Updates
The BlackBerry Key2 LE is available to buy at Verizon, but only to business and enterprise customers, according to reports. Verizon's selling the Key2 LE for $450 without a contract, or for $100 if you sign up for a two-year plan. The phone does not show up on Verizon's non-business store, so there does not seem to be the option to buy the phone for this price without a business plan.

Mobile

How to turn off Activity Status on Instagram

Instagram on an iPhone.

Instagram is a popular social networking site that allows users to communicate through text, photos, and videos. One of its features is the app's Activity Status, which lets users know when someone was last active on the app or if they are currently online.

Mobile

Grab a 4-pack of Apple AirTags while they’re on sale

Person holding an Apple AirTag.

If you're one of those people who always keep misplacing their stuff, then you may want to take advantage of Walmart's offer for the Apple AirTag. Four of the Bluetooth trackers, which will make sure that you never lose anything again, are available for just $80, following a $19 discount on the bundle's original price of $99. There's no telling how long this lowered price will last, so if you think you'll find some use for these tracking devices, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the Apple AirTag
The Apple AirTag is highlighted in our roundup of the best Bluetooth trackers as the top choice if you're invested in the iOS ecosystem. In addition to a quick and easy one-tap setup to link the tracking device to your iPhone or iPad, the Apple AirTag uses Apple's Find My network to keep track of your things. Precision Finding with Ultra Wideband technology will lead you to your Apple AirTag, with the help of the millions of devices in the Find My network that will work together to locate your missing item when you activate Lost Mode.