Zinwa Technologies has opened pre-orders for the P26, a modernized BlackBerry Passport running Android 14 inside a refurbished chassis. Priced at $420 for the complete build, the device keeps the original physical QWERTY keyboard and 4.5-inch square display while upgrading internal hardware, with shipping slated for late October 2026.
When the original BlackBerry Passport debuted in 2014, its unconventional physical design polarized mobile users. The device paired an unusually wide, square 4.5-inch 1440 x 1440 display with a physical QWERTY keyboard that also responded to touch gestures. While single-handed operation proved awkward and media consumption looked peculiar on the square canvas, documents, spreadsheets, and emails found an expansive layout compared to contemporary phones. More than a decade later, that retro design is returning through a specialized hardware retrofit.
Inside the Zinwa P26 Motherboard and Android 14 Retrofit
The P26 is not an official release from BlackBerry, nor does it consist of brand-new factory units. Instead, Zinwa Technologies sources used Passport shells in solid condition, retrofitting them with updated motherboards and components to run modern software. The complete assembled device is priced at $420, while the company also offers a DIY motherboard upgrade kit for owners who already possess a functional Passport chassis.
Beneath the familiar exterior, the hardware receives a substantial overhaul. The build runs on a MediaTek Helio G99 chip paired with 12 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256 GB of UFS storage. Powering the system is stock Android 14 equipped with Google Mobile Services. Connectivity options include dual-SIM support with 4G LTE and VoLTE capabilities, though the hardware lacks 5G, NFC, and microSD card expansion.
Upgraded Battery Powers the Tactile Keyboard Device
A critical element for physical keyboard enthusiasts is the retention of the tactile typing layout, which also doubles as a capacitive trackpad for scrolling and touch gestures. Powering the device is a fresh 3,900mAh battery supported by 33W fast charging through a newly added USB-C port, replacing the original micro-USB standard. Photography duties are handled by a 50-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter, while the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack and notification LED remain intact.
This release follows a similar project by the same maker. Zinwa previously introduced the Q25, which applied a comparable motherboard and Android conversion to the BlackBerry Classic. Owners of that previous project praised the typing experience, battery life, and call quality, though some users reported minor trade-offs regarding shell wear and touchscreen responsiveness.
Limited Stock Ships in Late October 2026
Pre-orders for the P26 open on October 3, 2026, via the manufacturer’s online channels and community platforms. Shipments for completed units are expected to begin in late October 2026. Because the project relies on refurbishing pre-owned device frames, available stock remains limited for buyers seeking an authentic physical keyboard running modern mobile applications.
