BlackBerry brings 'world's most secure Android smartphone'

BlackBerry is launching what is being billed as the "world's most secure Android smartphone." The name DTEK50 is not as memorable as BlackBerry Priv, but it does give consumers an affordable entry point into BlackBerry's Android platform. BlackBerry is now getting away from physical QWERTY keyboards, which it pushed as a compelling reason to buy the Priv. It seems the number of people pining for traditional BlackBerry features is dwindling.

With its newest Android phone, BlackBerry decided not to design the handset from the ground up. The DTEK50 is essentially a new model of the Alcatel Idol 4. The phone runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 617, and has 3GB of RAM and a 2,610mAh battery. The front and back cameras shoot at 8 and 13MP, respectively. The screen is 5.2in and has a 1080-pixel resolution. The phone is clearly not designed to go head-to-head against other flagship smartphones. It does, however, run Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the latest version of the OS.

By pricing the DTEK50 at $400, BlackBerry is hoping that a low rate combined with the company's reputation for good security will be enough to entice buyers. To succeed, however, the phone will have to appeal to people and companies who are concerned enough about security that they think BlackBerry is the best to handle the job. Alcatel might now be owned by China's TCL, but other China companies offer a lot more bang for 400 bucks. Most recently, the OnePlus 3 and the ZTE Axon 7 both cost $400 and offer better hardware.

For now, BlackBerry remains committed to integrating its software with the hardware it chooses itself. Yet the company's future, if it survives independently, might have to reside in software. Competition from China is too high. Every year, more local companies pump out smartphones with high-end specifications at price points that were unimaginable just a year or two prior. Security is important, but it is not exclusive. Apple and Samsung have been able to build a business around their smartphone software, but for most, hardware is king. That is something China suppliers excel at.