BlackBerry launches Q5 model at Rs 24,990

The Q5, which has a QWERTY keyboard and a 3.1-inch touch screen, is powered by a 1.2-GHz dual-core processor and packs 2GB of RAM

BlackBerry today launched its latest “affordable” smartphone, the Q5, for Rs 24,990 in India. A few weeks earlier, the company had launched the high-priced Q10.

“It (the Q5) is more affordable for the urban youth. It will be available from tomorrow at all key BlackBerry outlets and the rollout will be completed by July 20 across India,” said Sunil Lalvani, BlackBerry’s managing director for Indian operations.

The Q5, which has a QWERTY keyboard and a 3.1-inch touch-screen, is powered by a 1.2-GHz dual-core processor and packs a 2GB RAM and 8GB of internal storage.

This is possibly the first time BlackBerry has introduced a device with a fixed back and a non-removable battery.

While the Canadian smartphone maker is trying to secure a stronger foothold in the Indian market, which accounts for 17-18 million smartphones a year, analysts believe the Q5’s price point is unlikely to boost sales.

An analyst who tracks the handset market said the device was likely to attract only those who couldn’t do without a QWERTY keyboard, as the Q5 was likely to be seen as expensive in a price-sensitive market, one in which there were many options available at lower prices.

Lalvani, however, said the company had already received queries on the Q5 from the banking, manufacturing, healthcare, retail and new media segments.

The Q5 has a five-megapixel, 1,080p HD camera with an LED at the back, as well as a two-megapixel 720p HD front-camera.

Given its price, BlackBerry’s Q5 would have take on Google Nexus 4, Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, Sony Xperia SP and Nokia Lumia 820 in India.