BlackBerry Evolve and Evolve X Emerge Out of Nowhere

From what I can remember, we were told that BlackBerry would release a total of three new smartphones in 2018. We’ve already taken a look at the BlackBerry Motion and the BlackBerry KEY2. The rumors are pointing toward a more affordable BlackBerry KEY2 Lite before year’s end, but we’re getting treated to two bonus devices right now: the BlackBerry Evolve and the BlackBerry Evolve X.

Because everyone has to include an “X” in their name at this point, right? Because our smartphones have to be so edge and extreme? But I digress…

Perhaps a part of the reason why this announcement feels like it’s coming out of left field is that the BlackBerry Evolve and Evolve X are currently being targeted for India. In this way, the “three new phones” for 2018 direction may apply only to the North American market instead.

The BlackBerry Evolve is powered by a Snapdragon 450 chipset (1.8GHz octa-core), backed by 4GB of RAM, 64GB internal storage, microSD expansion, dual 13MP cameras on the back with HDR, a 16MP selfie camera on the front, a 4000mAh battery, Android Oreo, and a square-ish fingerprint reader on the back. It’s set to retail in mid-September for INR 24,990, which works out to about $365.

As can be expected, the BlackBerry Evolve X is the higher end version of the Evolve. The processor gets bumped up to a Snapdragon 660 (2.2GHz) and you get 6GB of RAM, along with the same 64GB of internal storage and microSD expansion, as well as the same 4000mAh battery. There’s a 5.99-inch full HD+ IPS LCD (18:9 aspect), wireless charging, a circular fingerprint reader on the back, 12MP + 13MP rear cameras, 16MP front camera, and an expected price of INR 34,990 (about $510) when it ships at the end of this month.

No word on whether either phone will be released outside of India.

Images via GSMArena