Blast from the Past: Zinwa's Q27 BlackBerry-Style Prototype Surfaces in New Video

For those who miss the satisfying click of a physical keyboard, the emerging brand Zinwa is inching closer to making that nostalgia a modern reality. Newly surfaced footage of the Zinwa Q27 prototype offers our clearest look yet at a device that aims to bridge the gap between classic BlackBerry charm and contemporary Android power.

Remember the distinct feel of a BlackBerry? The weight of it in your hand, the precise travel of its keys, and the efficiency of a hardware-QWERTY lifestyle? While the smartphone world has largely moved to all-screen slates, a dedicated niche still yearns for that tactile experience. Zinwa, a company that made waves last September with its retro-modern concepts, is now showing that its ambitious Q27 is more than just a render.

A new, short video showcasing functional prototypes has been leaked on social media, giving us a tangible glimpse into the device's development and several key design changes since its initial announcement.

A Closer Look: Evolving Design and Key Features

The newly revealed prototypes, which you can see in action in the video shared on Reddit, confirm that Zinwa is refining the Q27's design based on real-world engineering.

One of the most immediate visual departures is the color palette. Zinwa is currently developing the device in two fresh hues, moving away from the more conservative concept shown months ago. The physical keyboard, the star of the show, remains central, but the row above it has been altered. It now features a different capacitive touch bar, suggesting a focus on modern navigation gestures alongside the classic typing experience.

Other subtle but significant tweaks include the shape of the physical home button, which is now a square instead of a "squircle," and the curious relocation of the front-facing camera to the left of the earpiece speaker. Zinwa has also decided to ditch a top-mounted button entirely, streamlining the chassis.

As detailed in a recent report from Liliputing, the device sports a glossy rear panel that houses a single, but potent, camera sensor. Zinwa claims this rear camera is a 50 MP shooter, while the smaller front-facing camera is said to be a 16 MP sensor for selfies and video calls.

Modern Muscle in a Classic Frame

Beyond the throwback aesthetics, the Zinwa Q27 is shaping up to be a properly modern mid-range device. Zinwa has confirmed the phone will leverage a 3.92-inch, 1080p AMOLED display—a significant upgrade in pixel density over the screens of yesteryear. Powering the experience is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, a capable processor built on a power-efficient 4nm architecture.

This chipset placement should make the Q27 a legitimate performer, putting it in the same ballpark as popular current devices like the Motorola Edge 60 and the Redmi Note 14 Pro. For a direct performance and price comparison, you can look at devices like the POCO X7, which also utilizes a chipset from the same tier and is currently available on Amazon.

Check the current price for the POCO X7 on Amazon to see the competitive landscape.

To keep this package running, Zinwa is deciding between a 3,500 or 4,000 mAh battery. Paired with the efficient Dimensity 7300, either option should promise solid all-day battery life, a feature once synonymous with BlackBerry devices.

The Long Road to Release

While the prototype video is exciting for keyboard enthusiasts, patience will be required. Zinwa's current timeline points to a release no earlier than the second quarter of 2026. This lengthy development cycle is not uncommon for small companies tackling complex hardware designs, especially one that integrates a physical keyboard with a modern Android touch interface.

The journey of the Zinwa Q27 is being closely watched. It represents one of the most serious attempts in years to revive a form factor that many thought was extinct. As it evolves from a captivating concept into a tangible prototype, it keeps the hope alive for a segment of users who believe that the best way to move forward is sometimes to take a cue from the past.