Blackberry launches first touchscreen-only Android handset

Blackberry has launched its first touchscreen-only Android handset, in a bid to diversify its range of devices.

The company says its Dtek50 smartphone offers improved security over rival Android devices, and will cost less than its previous handset Priv.

It is the firm’s second Android handset after switching focus away from its struggling BB10 platform.

One analyst said the phone was the “right move” but that the company still faced an “uphill battle” with devices.

“A lot of that comes down to the beauty of the device and what it has inside, but more importantly the price.”

The Dtek50 is a touchscreen-only device, without the physical keyboard often associated with Blackberry.

The firm’s boss, John Chen, has been open about exploring new partnerships to reduce the cost of handset manufacture.

“It’s certainly a low cost, low risk way of going about it,” said Mr McQuire.

“It’s a necessary move for the handset business and delivers on a promise Mr Chen has been making, about complementing the Priv with a number of other devices.”

But Blackberry says the phone has unique internal hardware, with its chips protected by cryptographic keys to prevent tampering and thwart hackers.

BBC