BlackBerry Venice release date and specs rumors: Images of Android-powered smartphone leaked

BlackBerry Classic BlackBerry

Talks about the alleged Android-running BlackBerry device with a slide-out physical keyboard have been going around for quite a while, and the recent images leaked online by two separate websites seem to confirm the upcoming release of the BlackBerry Venice. 

One set of the latest leaked images posted on CrackBerry.com shows more details of the product. One of its most noticeable and unique features is the location of the SIM card and microSD slots that are both placed on the top part of the device. 

There is also a clearer view of the primary camera of BlackBerry Venice in the images, where an allegedly 18-megapixel shooter with a dual-LED flash can easily be seen. 

The other leaked images from Vietnamese website Tinhte shows the slide-out QWERTY keyboard and the distinct BlackBerry logo on the upcoming device. There is also a textured back battery cover and casing that makes it easier to grasp the smartphone. 

Both sets of photos show that the device is powered by Google's Android mobile operating system and, based on the images, the device uses the latest Android 5 Lollipop edition. If the rumors about the BlackBerry Venice turns out to be true, it means that this will be the first time that a BlackBerry product will use the Android operating system instead of their own OS. 

The Canadian mobile phone manufacturer used to be on top of the smartphone game when it was first emerging. It became widely popular because of the dedicated QWERTY keyboard on their smartphones and the email function that proved to be useful for highly mobile individuals who need to stay connected anywhere in the world. However, in recent years, other brands like Apple, Samsung and the like managed to beat BlackBerry because of the versatility of their products. 

BlackBerry has yet to confirm the validity of the photos, as well as the release date of the alleged BlackBerry Venice smartphone. 

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