The device has a
full "Qwerty" keyboard, resembling the design which made Blackberry a
market leader before it was overtaken by competitors.
Analysts said
the firm was going "back to its roots" in order to appeal to business
customers.
But some warned
that while this tactic would help retain business, it might not attract new
users.
"This is
more about avoiding more people leaving than necessarily winning many
over," said Carolina Milanesi, an analyst for Kantar Worldpanel.
"I have a
hard time thinking that people who grew up on touch[screens] will see this as
an exciting 'retro' trend and embrace it."
The Classic has
an eight-megapixel camera on its reverse and, as well as the physical keyboard,
the device can be controlled via its 3.5-inch touchscreen.
Challenging
year
Blackberry has
had a challenging year, albeit one showing at least some positive signs for the
company formerly known as Research in Motion.
News in March of
annual losses of $5.9bn (£3.5bn) highlighted the company's slip from being a
major smartphone player.
However, after
significant cost-cutting, and with higher profit margins, the company was able
to overcome a drop in revenues to post a profit of $23m (£14m) for the three
months to the end of March 2014.
More recently,
the company impressed technology enthusiasts with the Blackberry Passport, a
distinctive smartphone which, like the Classic, made use of a physical
keyboard.
"Knowing
your strengths and recognising your weaknesses could be Blackberry's way back
from the brink," said Rob Kerr, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com.
"Like its
Passport phone, the mobile maker has gone back to its roots with the Classic -
furnishing it with the physical keyboard that so many appreciate in the
touchscreen era.
"Keyboard
phones were always its strong point and this true return to form hails back to
Blackberry's glory days.
"Although
this handset is unlikely to capture the once strong youth market, businesses
might once again come back to the fold."
Blackberry's
executive chairman, John Chen, said the Classic was built after gathering
feedback from "dedicated" users.
He added:
"By bringing back the trusted functionalities, incorporating our latest
operating system and building a speedier browser, our users can feel confident
they are using the best communications tool out there."
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