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Freedom251 › Blog › Android phones

The BlackBerry Passport Is Back, Sort Of—and It Runs Android Now

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

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The Zinwa P26 is an unofficial retrofit that puts new hardware and Android into a BlackBerry Passport’s original shell. It is not a new phone from BlackBerry. In a September 29, 2026 report, Android Authority said Zinwa planned to open preorders on October 3 and expected shipments around late October; those were future plans at the time, not confirmation that orders opened or phones shipped.

What the Zinwa P26 actually is

The Passport conversion keeps the distinctive BlackBerry handset body but replaces its internals. Zinwa has been developing the retrofit for nearly a year and had already offered DIY kits, according to Android Authority’s September 29, 2026 report. The report does not establish a formal relationship with BlackBerry Limited or its endorsement. The Bring Back BlackBerry mission page describes independent projects modifying older BlackBerry hardware, a context for the P26 rather than evidence that BlackBerry is involved.

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That distinction matters: the P26 is a retrofit project, not an official Passport relaunch. The original Passport ran BlackBerry 10; the P26 kit is described as running Android.

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Price, availability and reported kit specifications

Android Authority reported that Zinwa’s DIY kit was listed for $620, excluding shipping. The assembled P26’s price had not been disclosed in that report. The article’s suggestion that a finished phone might cost $700 or more was speculation, not a Zinwa price.

#1 Best Overall
BlackBerry KEY2 Black Unlocked Android Smartphone (AT&T/T-Mobile) 4G LTE, 64GB
  • Redesigned smart keyboard with speed key, touch navigation, flick typing for faster predictive text, customizable shortcuts and embedded fingerprint sensor
  • Durable Series 7 aluminum alloy frame, textured diamond grip non-slip back, impact-resistant frame with stunning 4.5-inch touch screen display with Corning Gorilla glass protection
  • 6GB RAM/64GB ROM, micro SD (up to 256GB), 3500 mAh battery with quick charge 3.0; powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor with faster LTE for Super-fast file sharing
  • 100% Android with latest Android 8.1 Oreo with access to over a million apps and services from Google play, GSM Unlocked (AT&T, T-Mobile), DTEK by BlackBerry security monitoring
  • 12MP + 12MP dual real camera with dual tone LED flash, portrait mode, optical superzoom, 4K video recording; 8MP fixed focus front camera with selfie flash, 1080p video recording.Dual Sim.Bluetooth 5.0
Item What the September 29 report said
DIY kit price $620, shipping excluded
Assembled P26 price Not disclosed in the report
Preorders Zinwa was preparing to open them October 3, 2026; the report does not confirm they opened
Shipping Expected around late October 2026; this was an estimate, not a confirmed shipment date

The following specifications were attributed to the DIY kit, not independently confirmed as final assembled-phone specifications:

  • MediaTek Helio G99 chipset
  • 12GB RAM and 256GB storage
  • 3,900mAh battery and USB-C
  • 50MP rear camera and 8MP front camera
  • Android 14

The report said buyers of the assembled model would likely get Android 14, but its exact operating system and specifications remained unconfirmed. Before buying, check Zinwa’s current listing for the assembled price, shipping, final configuration and order status; the cited report is not a current sales page.

Rank #2
BlackBerry Keyone Limited Edition Black 64GB GSM ONLY Factory Unlocked
  • 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage and all-day power with 3505mAh battery; includes quick charge 3.0, charging 50% in just 36 minutes; powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor
  • Stunning 4.5-inch touch screen display with Corning Gorilla glass 4 protection, anodized aluminum casing and textured soft touch grip with impact-resistant frame
  • Smart keyboard with touch navigation, flick typing for faster predictive text, customizable shortcuts and embedded fingerprint sensor
  • 12MP (1.55um large pixel) rear Camera with auto focus and dual-tone LED flash; 8MP front Camera
  • Android 7.1 Nougat, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, Octa-Core 2.0 GHz, 64-bit Adreno 506

Why Android is part of the Passport story

Keeping a Passport’s shape does not restore its original software support. The Android on Passport project page says that, from January 4, 2022, devices running BlackBerry 10 would no longer reliably function for data, calls, SMS and 9-1-1, and presents Android conversion as a response. That is the project’s statement; service behavior can vary by device and carrier, so it should not be read as a guarantee that every Passport has identical connectivity problems.

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How it compares with other keyboard phones

If the priority is the Passport’s original body and keyboard, the P26 is the option in this comparison built around a Passport conversion. If the priority is a new Android QWERTY phone, the Unihertz models are separate devices, not BlackBerry products or Passport conversions. The available sources do not establish enough equivalent information about network bands, carrier compatibility, warranties, repairability or update policies to declare an overall winner.

Rank #3
BlackBerry Classic Factory Unlocked Cellphone, Black
  • Unlocked cell phones are compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile as well as with GSM SIM cards (e.g. H20, Straight Talk, and select prepaid carriers). Unlocked cell phones will not work with CDMA Carriers like Sprint, Verizon, Boost or Virgin.
  • Large square touch screen
  • Amazingly fast and astoundingly beautiful web browsing
  • A battery that powers through
  • This is an international Warranty product- contact seller for more details
Device What the cited sources establish What to verify before choosing
Zinwa P26 Passport-shell retrofit; DIY kit reported at $620 excluding shipping, with kit specifications listed above Assembled price, final specs and Android version, network bands, carrier support, keyboard feel, warranty, repair options and availability
Unihertz Titan 2 A separate, Passport-inspired 5G Android 15 phone with a physical QWERTY keyboard, according to the Bring Back BlackBerry project directory. Its Kickstarter campaign was created by Unihertz. Current retail availability, price, carrier compatibility and software support terms
Unihertz Titan Pocket Unihertz’s official product listing specifies Android 11, a 3.1-inch square display, 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The page showed $289.99 USD and sold out when checked. Current price and stock, plus the support implications of its older Android version

The Titan 2 campaign recorded 7,019 backers and HK$16,358,594 pledged on its campaign page. Those are figures for that crowdfunding campaign, not evidence of demand for the P26 or a measure of either phone’s current retail availability.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
BlackBerry Keyone Limited Edition Black 64GB GSM ONLY Factory Unlocked
BlackBerry Keyone Limited Edition Black 64GB GSM ONLY Factory Unlocked
Android 7.1 Nougat, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, Octa-Core 2.0 GHz, 64-bit Adreno 506
$394.52
Bestseller No. 3
BlackBerry Classic Factory Unlocked Cellphone, Black
BlackBerry Classic Factory Unlocked Cellphone, Black
Large square touch screen; Amazingly fast and astoundingly beautiful web browsing; A battery that powers through
$234.00
Bestseller No. 4
Nakedcellphone Kickstand for AT&T BlackBerry Passport Phone Case - Black | Slim Hard Shell with Stand, Satisfying Texture, (Only for ATT Edition Model SQW100-3)
Nakedcellphone Kickstand for AT&T BlackBerry Passport Phone Case - Black | Slim Hard Shell with Stand, Satisfying Texture, (Only for ATT Edition Model SQW100-3)
Protective Cover that also Functions as a Hands-Free Viewing Stand; Slim Form-Fit Design Fits In Your Pocket; No Excess Bulk
$14.95
Bestseller No. 5
BlackBerry Classic Factory Unlocked Cellphone, Black
BlackBerry Classic Factory Unlocked Cellphone, Black
Large square touch screen; Amazingly fast and astoundingly beautiful web browsing; A battery that powers through
$234.00
Best Value
BlackBerry Classic Factory Unlocked Cellphone, Black
  • Unlocked cell phones are compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile as well as with GSM SIM cards (e.g. H20, Straight Talk, and select prepaid carriers). Unlocked cell phones will not work with CDMA Carriers like Sprint, Verizon, Boost or Virgin.
  • Large square touch screen
  • Amazingly fast and astoundingly beautiful web browsing
  • A battery that powers through
  • BlackBerry keyboard
Rank #4
Nakedcellphone Kickstand for AT&T BlackBerry Passport Phone Case - Black | Slim Hard Shell with Stand, Satisfying Texture, (Only for ATT Edition Model SQW100-3)
  • Protective Cover that also Functions as a Hands-Free Viewing Stand
  • Slim Form-Fit Design Fits In Your Pocket; No Excess Bulk
  • Hard Polycarbonate Provides Impact Protection; Shield Your Device from Dings/Scratches
  • Kickstand Will Prop Phone for Viewing - Great for Watching Videos/Movies
  • Rubberized Powder Coating And Ribbed Texture for Enhanced Tactile Grip

What to check before ordering

  • Which version is for sale? Confirm whether the listing is for a DIY kit or an assembled phone; the reported $620 figure applies to the kit.
  • What is final, rather than expected? Confirm the assembled model’s price, specifications, Android version, order status and shipping estimate directly with the seller.
  • Will it work on your network? Check supported bands and carrier compatibility for your country and provider. The cited reporting does not establish those details.
  • What support comes with it? Look for explicit warranty, repair and software-update terms before treating an Android conversion as a long-term replacement for a supported phone.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Android phonesBlackBerry PassportQWERTY phonesUnihertzZinwa P26

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