After falling to the back of the pack in recent smart phone sales, BlackBerry appears poised to take a shot at the title in late 2014 with record processing power.
Next-generation BlackBerry model’s Z50 and Q30 are rumored to debut with no less than eight processors, according to Yahoo.
The Z50, touted as the Canadian manufacturer’s new flagship model, will feature a 5.2 inch touchscreen with 1080 x 1920 high-definition resolution, and tentatively launch in the third quarter of 2014.
A computer-style keyboard follow-up will come in the form of the Q30, and hit shelves in the second quarter 0f 2014.
Both phones will sport more processors than any other phone currently on the market, and give consumers the option of either an all-touch screen or traditional keyboard configuration with their record octo-core processing power.
BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins stepped down in November amid cancelled corporate contracts and plummeting share prices as the company attempts to fight what has so far been a losing battle against Android and Apple.
Drug manufacturer Pfizer instructed its 92,000 employees last week to let their BlackBerry contracts expire and move to Android or Apple devices.
Days before that, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a plan to replace 470,000 BlackBerry models in much the same way, citing worries that the company could collapse.
After losing $965 million in the second quarter of 2013, new interim CEO John Chen has begun raising money, consolidating debt and entertaining potential buyout offers in order to secure the company’s comeback. The Z50 and Q30 will man the front line in that effort.
“We have begun moving the company to embrace a multi-platform, [Bring your own device] BYOD world by adopting a new mobility management platform and a new device strategy,” Chen said on BlackBerry’s blog last week. “We are also leveraging our tremendous assets, including BBM, our network and QNX. While we are proud of these accomplishments, we know there is more work to be done.”
“I know that it’s going to take time, discipline and tough decisions to reclaim BlackBerry’s success and we are ready for that challenge,” Chen said.