Okay, let’s be honest — if someone had told me five years ago that we’d be talking about BlackBerry phones in 2025, I probably would’ve laughed. Or at the very least, shot them a deeply skeptical look over my coffee cup. Yet here we are. BlackBerry, the phone used by government officials and corporate giants in the 2000s, is returning. And not in the form of some dusty collector’s relic either — it’s legitimately back in people’s pockets. How did we get here? And more importantly… why?
Let’s unpack this strange, oddly delightful tech moment together.
A Little Flashback: Why BlackBerry Mattered So Much
If you were around in the late 2000s, you’ll remember—BlackBerry wasn’t just a phone, it was the phone. It was your mobile office, your badge of being in-the-know, and for a while, it ruled the mobile world. There was that tiny trackpad, the little red LED you could spot across the room, and of course, the legendary QWERTY keyboard that clicked in the most satisfying way. There was something so satisfyingly tactile about tapping out an email on it.
And then…the iPhone happened. When touchscreens became the standard on smartphones, BlackBerry began to seem as like it was living in a bygone era. They launched a few touchscreen devices and partnered with Android in an attempt to stay current, but the magic had vanished. Their phones had virtually vanished by the 2020s, and the business had turned its focus to software and cybersecurity.
Nevertheless, here we are. BlackBerry managed to re-enter the discussion somehow. The problem about technology is that even the most surprising resurgences can start to feel quite natural if you give it enough time.
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The 2025 Twist No One Saw Coming
Here’s where it gets interesting. BlackBerry itself isn’t actually behind this revival. Enter Zinwa Technologies, a startup with a knack for breathing new life into retro tech. These are the folks who looked at the old BlackBerry Classic (remember that square screen and the indestructible body?) and thought, what if we gave this thing a 2025 makeover?
The result is the Zinwa Q25 — a phone that looks like your old BlackBerry but packs enough modern tech to survive in today’s smartphone jungle. Think of it as a restomod car. A MediaTek Helio G99 processor, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a 50MP rear camera, and Android 13 running smoothly are all hidden beneath that vintage exterior. Even more important features like global 4G LTE compatibility, USB-C, NFC, and a headphone jack (yes, those still exist) are included.
But the best part? The trackpad is back. The LED notification light is back. That unmistakable 720×720 square screen is back. And yes — the physical keyboard lives.
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Why Now? Why This?
So why is this happening now? The answer, I think, lies somewhere between nostalgia, practicality, and a growing weariness with the endless cycle of indistinguishable glass slabs.
We’ve been living in a world where every smartphone looks like a variation of the same shiny rectangle. Big screen, multiple cameras, no headphone jack. It’s sleek, sure, but a little… boring? Lately, people have been craving gadgets with character. Vinyl records are back. Instant cameras are back. Heck, even flip phones had a moment.
BlackBerry was always about getting stuff done. Not mindlessly scrolling, not losing hours in YouTube rabbit holes. It was about emails, messages, and staying on top of things — and the Q25 taps into that beautifully. For productivity nerds (like me) who’ve quietly longed for a phone that feels like a tool instead of a distraction machine, this is a breath of fresh air.
The Rise of Restomod Phones
The Q25 is particularly cool not only because it exists but also because it embodies a larger trend: restomodding technology. Tech enthusiasts are beginning to modify gadgets with new motors and Bluetooth sound systems, much like car enthusiasts do with antique Mustangs. By adding contemporary internals to an old form factor that you adored, you can have the best of both worlds.
And Zinwa isn’t stopping here. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see someone revive Palm Pre or Nokia Communicator phones next. (Side note: I’d totally buy a modern Nokia 3310 if it had Spotify and Google Maps.)
Who’s Actually Buying These?
Honestly? More people than you might expect.
Business professionals who still live and die by email and secure messaging are thrilled. Writers and journalists are over the moon — if you’ve ever tried typing a long, urgent message on a touchscreen while riding public transport, you know the pain. Retro tech fans are in it for the nostalgia, and privacy-conscious users appreciate a no-nonsense device running a clean, bloat-free version of Android 13.
In addition, it is capitalizing on the rising anti-upgrade sentiment. Annually, flagship phones become more expensive and ostentatious, but how frequently do people feel the need for those upgrades? More consumers are choosing phones that put experience over specifications, and the Q25 perfectly captures that spirit.
It’s Not Perfect — And That’s Okay
Of course, it’s not all roses. The Q25 isn’t an official BlackBerry product, and Zinwa’s supply will be limited since they’re sourcing old BlackBerry Classic shells. Don’t expect flagship-level performance or major Android version updates either. Zinwa promises regular security patches and bug fixes, but this isn’t a phone for someone who must have Android 15 the minute it drops.
But what do you know? That adds to its charm. It does not make an effort to please everyone. It does a good job at filling its niche.
What This Says About Where Phones Are Headed
I think what’s most fascinating about the BlackBerry revival isn’t just the phone itself, but what it signals about where we’re at with tech. For over a decade, the phone market’s been about bigger screens, thinner bodies, and more cameras. But now? People seem to be craving personality. Devices with quirks. Tools that prioritize function over form.
The Q25 isn’t trying to out-iPhone the iPhone. It’s carving out a little space for those of us who still see our phones as productivity tools first and entertainment hubs second. And judging by the online chatter and preorder numbers, there’s a quiet but growing community of people who feel the same.
So… Would I Buy One?
Honestly? I’m tempted. Not because it’s objectively better than my current phone (it probably isn’t), but because it feels like it would change my relationship with my phone in a way I’ve been wanting. Less doomscrolling. More intentionality. The satisfying click of real keys under my thumbs again.
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Final Thoughts
At least a contemporary form of the BlackBerry has returned to our lives in 2025. It’s a reminder that nothing really goes away in tech, whether you think it’s a wise decision or merely a nostalgic one. Trends change, tastes change, and occasionally the traditional approach resurfaces—and, somehow, it feels somewhat correct.
Would you trade your glass slab for a phone with a physical keyboard? Or is nostalgia better left in the past? Either way, one thing’s for sure: in a sea of lookalike smartphones, the Q25 is a delightful, slightly rebellious outlier. And in my book, that’s worth celebrating.
I’m a young, curious storyteller with a passion for writing and a Specialization in cybersecurity. As an all-niche writer, I thrive on exploring diverse subjects — from the latest in cyber defense to trends in technology, culture, and beyond. With a natural ability to simplify complex ideas, I turn intricate topics into clear, engaging narratives that resonate with any audience.