The Korea Herald

지나쌤

BlackBerry makes comeback in Korea with PRIV smartphone

By 임정요

Published : Sept. 20, 2016 - 15:44

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Canada's BlackBerry Ltd. began selling its first Android-based smartphone on Tuesday in South Korea, returning to the competitive smartphone market dominated by local brands.

It is BlackBerry's first smartphone launched in South Korea since it pulled out of the Korean market three years ago.

The launch of the PRIV smartphone in the Korean market came as foreign smartphone makers, such as Japan's Sony and China's Huawei, are seeking to gain market shares in the country's medium-range smartphone market.

The retail price for the PRIV smartphone, which was unveiled last year, was set at 598,000 won ($534) in South Korea. 

The PRIV smartphone is the first-ever BlackBerry smartphone powered by the Android operating system.

It features a dual-curved screen, touch and physical keyboards, state-of-the-art high-definition camera and a long-lasting battery, according to the company's website. (Yonhap)