When the BlackBerry Passport first launched in September 2014, it was impossible to mistake for any other phone. Its distinctive 4.5-inch square display (1440 × 1440) and integrated physical QWERTY keyboard—with clever touchpad gestures—were designed for serious business productivity.
The Passport won praise for its sturdy build and unmatched typing experience. Unfortunately, it entered a consumer market obsessed with slimmer, all-screen devices, and faded into niche status.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the Passport’s design is suddenly trending again—fueled by viral posts, retro tech fans, and a growing push to restore classic BlackBerry models with modern guts.
The New Passport Revival
Zinwa / BlackBerry Classic Reissues
Chinese tech firm Zinwa Technologies is leading the charge to bring back keypad classics. Following the planned August 2025 release of the Q20 Classic refresh (the Zinwa Q25 Pro), the company will turn its attention to reviving the Passport—reportedly as the P26.
Expectations are high: the refreshed Passport will keep its iconic physical keypad while packing updated hardware, modern software, and 5G capabilities for die-hard fans.
Unihertz Titan 2: A Passport in Spirit
If you can’t wait for Zinwa’s P26, the Unihertz Titan 2 might scratch that keypad itch sooner. It’s not a BlackBerry, but it’s clearly inspired by the Passport:
- 5G connectivity, powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip
- 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage, running Android 15
- 4.5″ square main display (1440×1440) plus a 2″ rear screen for widgets & notifications
- Revamped tactile keypad with six function keys, customizable tap shortcuts, and swipe scrolling
- Cameras: 50 MP main, 8 MP telephoto, 32 MP selfie
- Battery: 5,050 mAh with 33W fast charging
- NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, fingerprint sensor, IR port
- About 235 g and 10.85 mm thick
- Price: ~$269 early bird on Kickstarter, $399 retail, shipping October 2025
Why It Matters
In 2021, OnwardMobility promised a 5G BlackBerry but never delivered. That left a gap for indie brands to step in, and Unihertz quickly proved there’s still love for tactile keypads. Its Titan 2 blew past $100K on Kickstarter, with fans praising its huge battery and productivity-first design—despite being bulkier than typical smartphones.
The timing is perfect: influencers, retro tech enthusiasts, and digital detox trends are boosting demand for phones that focus on deliberate communication instead of constant swiping.
Launch Timeline
- Unihertz Titan 2 – Ships October 2025. Pre-order now on Kickstarter ($269 early bird, $399 retail).
- Zinwa Passport P26 – Expected late 2025, after the Q20 Classic refresh. Pricing likely around $400 fully assembled or $300 for an upgrade kit.
Classic vs. Modern: Feature Showdown
Display
The BlackBerry Passport (2014) featured a unique 4.5-inch square display with a crisp 1440×1440 resolution. The Titan 2 and upcoming Zinwa P26 keep that same resolution but the Titan 2 adds an extra 2-inch rear screen for widgets and quick-glance notifications.Keyboard
The original Passport came with a physical QWERTY keyboard enhanced by gesture controls. The modern versions improve on this with a more tactile keypad, additional function keys, and refined gesture support for smoother navigation.CPU & Operating System
Under the hood, the Passport ran on a Snapdragon 801 processor with BlackBerry 10 OS. The new models swap that for a faster MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip running the latest Android 15, offering broader app support and better performance.Connectivity
While the 2014 Passport topped out at LTE speeds, the Titan 2 and P26 leap ahead with full 5G support, making them ready for modern high-speed networks.Memory & Storage
The Passport’s 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of eMMC storage were decent for its time. Today’s refreshes deliver a huge boost—12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of storage—plenty for multitasking and media.Cameras
Photography takes a major step forward. The Passport had a 13 MP rear camera and a modest 2 MP front camera. In contrast, the Titan 2 features a 50 MP main camera, an 8 MP telephoto lens, and a 32 MP selfie camera for sharp, versatile shooting.Battery
Battery life gets a big upgrade too. The Passport’s 3,450 mAh battery was respectable, but the Titan 2’s 5,050 mAh cell promises multi-day endurance, especially with 33W fast charging.
