New BlackBerry Handset Running Samsung’s Exynos 7420 Processor Visits GFXBench

The BlackBerry Priv with Android OS on board has just hit the store shelves of many countries, across the globe. This handset comes powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 808 processor. However, now, a new BlackBerry handset running the Exynos 7420 SoC has emerged.

The Canadian tech giant took a huge risk by ditching the BlackBerry OS and opted for Android OS for its ambitious Priv. Time will say whether this move helped the company or not. But it looks like BlackBerry is already working on several new devices. One such unannounced handset, tied to the model number STV100-1, has visited the GFXBench benchmark testing site.

The interesting part, however, is the processor of the new handset. As it turns out, Samsung’s Exynos 7420 chipset with an octa-core processor, clocked at 2.1 GHz, powers the unnamed BlackBerry device. Not to forget, this powerful chipset was last seen in the Samsung Galaxy S6 series of handsets.

As far as the specifications go, according to GFXBench, the BlackBerry handset features a pocket-friendly 5.1-inch display, packed with a QHD screen resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. The device is backed by a solid 3 GB of RAM.

When it comes to camera configuration, a 16-megapixel rear-facing sensor, in addition to a generous 5-megapixel front-facing shooter, is apparently part of the new phone. The handset has 32 GB of native storage space on board.

Speaking of software, Android 5.1.1 Lollipop OS runs the unnamed phone. GSM Arena, meanwhile, said this device could very well be a prototype version being tested by BlackBerry. Nevertheless, readers are advised to take the reported news with the proverbial pinch of salt as the company has not confirmed any information so far.

On the other hand, BlackBerry’s Nader Henein reportedly told HTXT Africa that the new Priv is not the last device with Google’s Android OS on board. The reason as quoted by Henein was -- the license required to use the OS is very expensive. He also hinted that the new devices may come with physical QWERTY keyboard. In his own words: “It [BlackBerry devices with Android OS] is really for anyone who likes the keyboard and the versatility of the operating system.”

With Henein hinting at the keyboard, there is a good chance that we’ll be seeing more BlackBerry devices with physical QWERTY keyboard and Android OS combination.