This Is Why There Wasn’t An Android Version Of The BlackBerry Passport

The BlackBerry Passport was a pretty unique device in terms of its design and its features. It was also the last time we saw BlackBerry launch a BlackBerry 10 smartphone before transitioning to Android with the BlackBerry Priv. However we’re sure some of you guys might be wondering, why didn’t BlackBerry just build an Android version of the Passport?

There have been rumors in the past that BlackBerry could be working on such a device, but obviously it never saw the light of day. So were the rumors wrong or was there another reason? According to the folks at MobileSyrup, there is a good explanation as to why there isn’t an Android BlackBerry Passport, and it boils down to the Passport’s unique design.

The Passport features a 1:1 ratio for its screen, and according to the Android Compatibility Certification Document, it requires that Android devices sport a display with a ratio of 4:3 or 16:9. However the report goes on to claim that Google was willing to make an exception for BlackBerry, and apparently worked together with the Canadian company to make Google’s Android apps compatible with the 1:1 display.

However ultimately both companies came to realize that the amount of time and effort that went in just to tweak Google Play Services just for a single handset was not worth it, and thus the project was scrapped. MobileSyrup notes that there were other factors involved, but this is one of the main ones.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Android, BlackBerry, BlackBerry Passport