When the TCL-BlackBerry smartphone software and brand licensing deal was announced, we knew TCL had bigger plans for CES simply based on the tweets sent out but now the company has gone and made the news official. A new announcement today highlights TCL's plans to 'unveil an evolutionary first in the mobile industry' and include a first look at how the BlackBerry brand will live on in a new generation of smartphones as noted by Steve Cistulli, President and General Manager for TCL Communication (TCT), North America.

We've reached a point in our industry when we must boldly go where no other handset manufacturer has gone before; evolving how we serve our customers and consumers. Business and market growth must go beyond just delivering value-focused handsets, and must now include a much more complete portfolio of devices and brands. We'll unveil more news at CES around our plans, showcasing the legacy of the BlackBerry smartphone brand, while also giving a glimpse into what new BlackBerry smartphones will offer as part of our bold new brand portfolio within TCT. These are just the building blocks of our new growth strategy, with additional announcements to come in 2017."

CES 2017 takes place on January 5-8 in Las Vegas, but there are media events before official kickoff and TCL has multiple press and media day events booked. In other words, we're not the far off from seeing what they have to unveil.

New BlackBerry Smartphones To Join The TCL Communication (TCT) Device Portfolio

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- At CES 2017, TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited (TCT) will unveil an evolutionary first in the mobile industry, which will include the addition of the new BlackBerry brand of smartphones, complimenting the company's current portfolio. TCT will share a business update as it transitions from the number four handset manufacturer in North America to a tier one portfolio brand. This view will include a first look at how the BlackBerry brand legacy will live on in a new generation of smartphones.

Leading the company's growth in recent years, and at the forefront of this portfolio evolution, Steve Cistulli, President and General Manager for TCL Communication (TCT), North America commented: "We've reached a point in our industry when we must boldy go where no other handset manufacturer has gone before; evolving how we serve our customers and consumers. Business and market growth must go beyond just delivering value-focused handsets, and must now include a much more complete portfolio of devices and brands."

Cistulli goes on to add: "We'll unveil more news at CES around our plans, showcasing the legacy of the BlackBerry smartphone brand, while also giving a glimpse into what new BlackBerry smartphones will offer as part of our bold new brand portfolio within TCT. These are just the building blocks of our new growth strategy, with additional announcements to come in 2017."

For more information about TCL Communication (TCT), please visit www.TCTUSA.com. If you're interested in a press briefing about this news at CES 2017, please contact us at [email protected].

About TCL Communication

TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited (TCT) with its North America headquarters based in Irvine, California, is a wholly owned company of TCL Corporation, a global consumer electronics brand with products currently sold in over 160 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. With a mobile handset product portfolio that includes devices from Alcatel and BlackBerry, TCT is currently the fourth largest handset manufacturer in North America. The company also operates nine R&D centers worldwide and employs over 13,500 people globally. For more information, please visit www.TCTUSA.com.

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