BlackBerry and Porsche Design unveil $2373 Android-compatible P’9983 smartphone

BlackBerry has unveiled a new Android-compatible BlackBerry 10 smartphone with a price tag of $CAD2340 ($A2373), which is aimed at the high-end executive market.

Despite the premium price tag, the device features a dual-core (rather than a quad-core) 1.5 GHz Qualcomm MSM8960 processor, an 8-megapixel camera and a traditional BlackBerry keyboard with a 3.1-inch touchscreen at 720 x 720 pixels.

It also includes a 2100 mAH removable battery, 64 gigabytes of storage (expandable through a microSD card) and a micro HDMI port for connecting it to a TV or projector.

Despite the less than impressive specifications, the companies say the device includes “premium quality materials” including a sapphire glass camera lens, stainless steel Porsche Design logos and a glass weave back cover.

BlackBerry is also setting aside a “premium” BlackBerry Messenger PIN range – 2AAxxxxx – for users of the device.

“The first QWERTY Porsche Design smartphone with BlackBerry 10 experience combines superior productivity, ultimate security and privacy … with the opportunity to express individual style with the luxury of being one step ahead,” BlackBerry devices and emerging solutions president Ron Louks said.