Why a 2014 smartphone design is making a 2025 comeback

Technology · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The smartphone industry has largely abandoned physical keyboards in favor of glass slabs. Yet, a new project is resurrecting a decade-old design by swapping out old guts for modern power. It is a deliberate move to fight e-waste while satisfying a niche for tactile, functional hardware.

Developed by Zinwa Technologies in 2025, the Zinwa Q25 is a modern reimagining of the 2014 BlackBerry Classic. Rather than designing a new chassis from scratch, the company created a custom motherboard designed to slot directly into the original BlackBerry Classic housing. This strategy allows the brand to bypass the high tooling costs of manufacturing new enclosures while preserving the specific hardware features that enthusiasts crave, such as the physical QWERTY keyboard, the capacitive trackpad, and the LED notification light.

Internally, the Q25 swaps out old parts and the initial BlackBerry 10 OS for a 256 GB UFS 2.x storage unit, 12 GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and a MediaTek Helio G99 system-on-chip. It runs a near-stock build of Android 14 with Google Play services, though the bootloader is unlocked for users who prefer alternative operating systems like Ubuntu Touch. While it lacks 5G connectivity, it introduces modern standards like USB-C charging, NFC, and a 50 MP rear camera, all while maintaining the original 3.5-inch 720x720 IPS display.

The project serves a dual purpose: it is sold as a completed handset for roughly US$400 and as a conversion kit for roughly US$300 to US$320 for owners of existing BlackBerry Classics. By encouraging users to retrofit their old devices with new internals, Zinwa Technologies aims to reduce electronic waste. The company plans to expand this philosophy to other legacy models, including the BlackBerry Passport and Bold, continuing a trend of hardware recycling over total replacement.

While the device offers a nostalgic experience, it represents a specific trade-off. Zinwa has stated it will not provide major OS version upgrades beyond Android 14, focusing instead on security patches and minor updates. For the consumer, it is a choice between the convenience of modern specs and the intentional, tactile experience of a bygone era of mobile design.

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