Android-based BlackBerry Venice to be launched by T-Mobile

There were speculations that Blackberry may soon release the “Venice” on Android platform. The device will sport a slide-out keyboard and feature high-end specs.

The Android-based handset was expected to be launched later in 2015. New renders from @evleaks by Evan Blass reveal that it will be sold by wireless carrier T-Mobile. Previously it was rumored that the Android-powered slider phone is going to land on AT&T, as reported by Tech Buffalo. The first look of the Blackberry Venice was also posted by Blass.

According to earlier speculations, BlackBerry is planning to announce Venice in November. In June, Reuters reported that BlackBerry will probably use Android on an upcoming slider device. The smartphone is likely to be released this autumn. BlackBerry also showcased the device on stage at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March.

Images posted by CrackBerry also illustrate few of the handset features. Leaked images reveal that the device will sport an 18 MP camera, a material design BlackBerry Hub and Chromecast support.

In March, the company unveiled plans to create a “BlackBerry Experience Suite” inside, reports CNET. In an interview with CNBC Blackberry CEO John Chen said the company would release an Android handset only if it could make Android “secure enough.” It indicates that the company has intentions to allow a full version of Google’s operating system for its upcoming handset. The company also released its popular BBM messenger service to Android and iOS in 2013.

The BlackBerry Venice is supposed to be a high-end slider with a full QWERTY keyboard and a 5.4-inch Quad HD (1440 x 2560 pixels) display. The device will be slightly curved at the edges. Other features possibly include a 1.8GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor and 3 GB of RAM. The Venice is also expected to have an 18 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front shooter.

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