BlackBerry Evolve series India launch highlights: Evolve is priced at Rs 24,990, Evolve X at Rs 34,990

BlackBerry has now revealed the full specifications of the BlackBerry Evolve and BlackBerry Evolve X. Evolve will come with a 5.99-inch FHD+ IPS LCD display, that has a screen aspect ratio of 18:9. Based on Android 8.1 Oreo, it runs the Snapdragon 450 processor, that is backed by 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage, expandable through a hot-swappable microSD card slot. Evolve features 13MP+13MP dual-rear cameras, that are backed by autofocus, dual-tone LED flash and HDR mode.   

The Evolve X mostly differs on the storage and camera fronts. Based on Android 8.1 Oreo, Evolve X runs the Snapdragon 660 SoC, that is backed by 6GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage, expandable through a hot-swappable microSD card slot. Evolve features 12MP+13MP dual-rear cameras, that are backed by autofocus, dual-tone LED flash and HDR mode.  Its battery is compatible with USB Power Delivery 2.0 v1.2, as well as Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0

The prices of the BlackBerry Evolve and Evolve have just been announced! The BlackBerry Evolve will start at Rs 24,990, while the Evolve X is available at Rs 34,990. Both phones will be available on Amazon, though the BlackBerry Evolve X will be an Amazon exclusivce. While the BlackBerry Evolve X will be made available later this month, the Evolve  will go on sale in September.   

While BlackBerry Evolve and Evolve X are known to have the same display, battery, and design, they will also have the same 16MP selfie camera. This will come with an f/2.0 aperture, front flash, as well as Bokeh and studio modes. Also, both phones will be based on Android 8.1 Oreo.

The company is now showcasing the Evolve X. This will run the Snapdragon 660 processor, as well as Adreno 512 GPU. Evolve X is being launched with 6GB RAM and 64GB of internal memory.   

BlackBerry has launched the BlackBerry Evolve in India. This phone will run the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor, as well as the Adreno 506 GPU. It will ship in a 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage configuration.

The Evolve series has arrived! Here's the first look of the newly-launched Evolve and Evolve X. Both phones come with 5.99-inch FHD displays, and sport a textured back and dual-rear cameras

Alex Thurber, Senior Vice President and General Manager, BlackBerry Mobility Solutions, takes the stage.  He starts by saying that security and privacy are in BlackBerry's DNA. 

Ashok Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Optiemus Group, takes the stage. He is talking about the BlackBerry brand in the Indian market. He says that Blackberry and Optiemus have closely worked on these two new smartphones. Gupta adds that the Evolve and Evolve X have been designed in India

The India launch event of the BlackBerry Evolve and Evolve X is about to begin. As the event gets ready to tee off, BlackBerry has reiterated its security commitment, stating that it owns the most secure phones among those running Android. It will be interesting to note if the Evolve series manifests this commitment in the form of some unique features, but we would have to wait some more, before we know for sure.        

From the rumours around the phone, as well as the teaser images and videos, BlackBerry's Evolve series could come with large displays. That is the only known aspect of the phone's front, other than the fact that these devices will ditch the QWERTY keyboard. It is being speculated that BlackBerry Evolve and Evolve X could come without 3.5mm headphone jacks, and teasers indicate that they could sport a type-C USB port. Also, at least one of these phones can be expected to sport a horizontally-stacked dual-rear camera configuration supported by dual LED flash, as well as fingerprint sensor.   

When the first news of the Evolve series broke, tipsters were referring to the phones by their codenames. While BlackBerry Evolve was previously known as Blackberry Ghost, the Evolve X was called the Ghost Plus. Through subsequent leaks, it was found that BlackBerry's Evolve series could be launched exclusively in India, though that information still stands unconfirmed. Also, Evan Blass had pointed out in earlier leaks that the Evolve series could feature a 4000mAh battery, which is becoming an increasing trend among flagship devices.  

BlackBerry Evolve and Evolve X will hit the Indian smartphone market following the launch of the BlackBerry Key2. While the Key series phone has been known for a while, BlackBerry Key2 improves over its predecessor, the KeyOne, with a sleeker look, along with a smarter keypad. This phone has been priced in India at Rs 42,990, and follows the device's global launch in June.

The BlackBerry Evolve series, though, will be showcased for the first time globally with its India launch event. We will keep you informed of the latest happenings from the event venue in New Delhi.