BlackBerry Mercury Specs (Speculation)

[James Falconer]

So, we know the Mercury is coming (not sure what it'll end up being called), but what we still don't know are the specs. Let's speculate the specs! What do you think we'll find inside? Will the good folks at TCL treat us well or let us down on all the internals? Whatcha think?

 

[Aquila]

So far I've only heard two:

Snapdragon 615 or 625 and 3 GB RAM.

 

[BB-JAM215]

We actually have a pretty good idea about a lot of the specs, at least for the current pre-production model:
• QWERTY physical keyboard with capacitive touch enabled scrolling and type by swiping.
• Qualcomm 8953 (Snapdragon 625) SoC
• Android 7.0 Nougat
• 4.5 or 4.6 inch, 1620 x 1080 (3:2), 420 ppi screen
• Spacebar fingerprint sensor
• 3GB RAM, 32GB internal storage
• 18MP auto-focus rear camera (optional manual mode), 8MP front camera
• 3400mAh Li-ion battery
• USB Type-C Port, 3.5 mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 4.2
• Combined SIM and Micro SD Card Tray
• Capacitive touch screen navigation buttons
• Customizable Convenience Key
• Assignable keyboard shortcuts
• Top mounted 3.5 mm headphone jack
• BlackBerry Software Suite (Launcher, Keyboard, Hub, Contacts, Calendar, Password Keeper, Notes, Tasks, Device Search, DTEK Security)
• BlackBerry Hardware Root of Trust, Hardened Linux Kernel, Secure Boot Process.
• Optional FIPS 140-2 Compliant Full Disk Encryption
• Ongoing Security Patching
• Aluminum frame, soft-touch textured back
• Size: Approximately 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.37 inches (150 x 71 x 9.4 mm), about the same width as the Classic, in between the height of the DTEK50 and the DETK60, and about the same thickness as the PRIV.
• February-March 2017 launch date
• Manufacturing, distributing, and sales by TCL

 

[Aquila]

I like the 3:2 display idea, but haven't used that on a phone to know if it's good for videos, etc. That battery size is HUGE for such a little 1080p phone, battery life has the potential to be awesome.

 

[BB-JAM215]

I like the 3:2 display idea, but haven't used that on a phone to know if it's good for videos, etc. ...

By default you would have some space above and below a with standard 16:9 video on a 3:2 screen, but with a player like VLC you should be able to expand the video to full height and just lose a bit on the sides.

 

[ToniCipriani]

I like the 3:2 display idea, but haven't used that on a phone to know if it's good for videos, etc. That battery size is HUGE for such a little 1080p phone, battery life has the potential to be awesome.

Well if the Z Play is any indication, it should be a monster. Even without the Incipio case it manages crazy SOT.

 

[James Falconer]

Should be good.

 

[middbrew]

Isn't the SD 625 and 3GB of ram a bit underwhelming by current device standards? The DTEK 60 came out with SD 820 and 4GB of ram. I guess I was assuming it would at least have that as the starting point if not SD 821 or even SD 830. It's going to be going up against some pretty heavy hitters that are coming out soon.

 

[VeniceBB]

I just read the article about not buying a 32GB phone with Nougat (Don't buy a 32GB Android phone in 2017 | Android Central)

If these specs are true that could become a problem. I would absolutely hate to let the PKB go, but I need a fully functioning fast running phone that will last me another year or two...

 

[Aquila]

Isn't the SD 625 and 3GB of ram a bit underwhelming by current device standards? The DTEK 60 came out with SD 820 and 4GB of ram. I guess I was assuming it would at least have that as the starting point if not SD 821 or even SD 830. It's going to be going up against some pretty heavy hitters that are coming out soon.

It's a midrange phone, not meant to compete with the big ones.

 

[Matty]

It's a midrange phone, not meant to compete with the big ones.

Agreed, if it came with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, but launched at $399 people would be like. #OnePlusCompetitor lol

I do agree that 64GB is awesome and does give a lot more breathing room to install apps, but ultimately pushes the price up. It does have a micro SD card so it should be. I'm not worried about the storage size. 32gb should be fine for most people who use keyboards.

Maybe wait for BlackBerry's next full touch device later this year. It just maybe, might, possibly, could potentially but not certainly have 64gb storage

A droid a day keeps the Apple away

 

[heyjohnnybravo]

It's a midrange phone, not meant to compete with the big ones.

With BlackBerry and their horrendous pricing schema, I'd be surprised if it wasn't priced like one of the big ones.

 

[Raybo7]

Isn't the SD 625 and 3GB of ram a bit underwhelming by current device standards? The DTEK 60 came out with SD 820 and 4GB of ram. I guess I was assuming it would at least have that as the starting point if not SD 821 or even SD 830. It's going to be going up against some pretty heavy hitters that are coming out soon.

It will be underwhelming if they price a midrange phone at premium costs. The flagship is Dtek60 and I think this one will just be effecient and last long. No more than 350 to 450 dollars if it has the 625.

 

[Matty]

So it looks like we will be getting the Google Pixel Sensor in the new BlackBerry Mercury! How awesome would that be. What a lovely 12mp sensor. BlackBerry definitely pulling out all the stops with their camera!

A droid a day keeps the Apple away

 

[Aquila]

So it looks like we will be getting the Google Pixel Sensor in the new BlackBerry Mercury! How awesome would that be. What a lovely 12mp sensor. BlackBerry definitely pulling out all the stops with their camera!

A droid a day keeps the Apple away

That'd be awesome

 

[Carjackd]

It will be underwhelming if they price a midrange phone at premium costs. The flagship is Dtek60 and I think this one will just be effecient and last long. No more than 350 to 450 dollars if it has the 625.

 

[Travis Bakker]

I just read the article about not buying a 32GB phone with Nougat (Don't buy a 32GB Android phone in 2017 | Android Central)

If these specs are true that could become a problem. I would absolutely hate to let the PKB go, but I need a fully functioning fast running phone that will last me another year or two...

If the rumors are true and the device ships with an SD slot the 32GB storage becomes much less of a problem. I currently have a 32GB Nexus 6P running Nougat and have only used half of the available storage. I really don't think it's going to be a deal breaker for that many people. Have to wait and see when it comes out though, I am really excited to get my hands on one.

 

[James Falconer]

We will wait and see. But agree... SD FTW. So excited for this phone!

 

[Jason Cockerham]

If the rumors are true and the device ships with an SD slot the 32GB storage becomes much less of a problem. I currently have a 32GB Nexus 6P running Nougat and have only used half of the available storage. I really don't think it's going to be a deal breaker for that many people. Have to wait and see when it comes out though, I am really excited to get my hands on one.

I agree. Truth be told, storage isn't really a problem for me anymore. I pretty much stream everything and tend to move my pictures to my computer about once a month so 32GB doesn't bother me too much. I'm more concerned about the SD 625. I'd be willing to pay a little more for a better processor. Especially if it's true that's it's going to have the Pixel camera sensor.

 

[James Falconer]

^ Seconded