[CES 2017] BlackBerry Mercury, powered by Android official; more details at MWC 2017

Earlier today we saw the first press renders of upcoming BlackBerry smartphone running Android 7.0 Nougat. TCL, the company managing hardware elements of BlackBerry handsets has now made the smartphone official, not exactly.

At an event held at CES 2017, TCL showcased a prototype of its upcoming Android powered smartphone with physical QWERTY keyboard, without actually revealing any details of the device, including its name. The device in question is still referred as Mercury, even by TCL.

According to TCL, the so-called Mercury runs on slightly forked version of Android Nougat with security and business focused software provided by Blackberry, similar to ones found on the DTEK50 and the DTEK60.

BlackBerry Mercury - Download

BlackBerry DTEK70 with physical QWERTY keyboard, Android 7.0 Nougat press renders leaked

Last year was a big year for BlackBerry, as the company finally jumped into the world of Android by announcing two Android smartphones, the DTEK50 and the DTEK60.

BlackBerry had announced that it will stop designing and building smartphones and would rely on hardware partners for releasing new devices under BlackBerry brand. In December, it was official that TCL Communication will be handling all of the hardware elements of upcoming BlackBerry smartphones and BlackBerry will remain focused on software.

The company also announced that it will unveil new BlackBerry smartphone at CES 2017. Steve Cistulli, President and General Manager for TCL Communication, North America has shared couple of teaser videos of the upcoming BlackBerry smartphone.