The BlackBerry Priv, the Canadian firm’s first Android-based handset, is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 808 chipset. But for its future Android offerings, the Canadian firm may be planning to diversify its suppliers.
Vienna to use Exynos 7420?
In the GFXBench database, a BlackBerry smartphone running on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and powered by Samsung’s Exynos 7420 SoC has been spotted. This could suggest two possibilities: one, that BlackBerry is really testing a handset with a Samsung chip, which is known for powering the S6 series, and two that it could be the work of someone “with too much time on her or his hands,” says GSM Arena.
The chipset in question has been used in premium Samsung devices and has also been used by Chinese OEM Meizu in its Pro 5 smartphone. The handset in the test sports a 5.1-inch QHD touchscreen has 32GB of storage, 3GB of RAM, a 5 MP selfie snapper and a 16 MP rear camera. These specs could be of BlackBerry’s next Android handset or “might just be ‘borrowed’ from the Galaxy S6 by someone who simply changed the model’s name,” says GSM Arena.
Recent reports about BlackBerry’s next handset claim the new device will be called the Vienna. The Priv’s in-development name was Venice, so there are good chances that the name Vienna may change at the time of launch. While the Priv was a slider, the Vienna is expected to have a fixed keyboard design.
Good for both BlackBerry and Samsung
If BlackBerry is really testing a model using Samsung chips, it would not be the first time it is working with the Korean firm on a mobile product. Earlier this year, the Canadian firm said it was working with Samsung on making the SecuTab. The tablet is based on the Samsung Galaxy S 10.5 and houses BB10’s secure applications and software, Samsung Knox and IBM’s app wrapping technology.
Such a move from BlackBerry would also help it to lower its design and manufacturing costs. On the other hand, for Samsung, the move would help it to grow its smartphone component business, compensating for flat sales of its premium smartphones.
On Monday, BlackBerry shares closed up 0.64% at $7.82. Year to date, the stock is down almost 29% while in the last one-month, it is up almost 7%.
