BlackBerry has shared some news that is sure to disappoint those who love the BlackBerry Classic. The company has decided to end manufacturing of the phone, meaning once the existing stock sells out you won't be able to purchase one anymore. In an effort to continue to innovate, BlackBerry has decided to update its available lineup with only "state of the art devices".
From BlackBerry's announcement:
To keep innovating and advancing our portfolio, we are updating our smartphone lineup with state of the art devices. As part of this, and after many successful years in the market, we will no longer manufacture BlackBerry Classic. For many years, Classic (and its BBOS predecessors) has been in our portfolio. It has been an incredible workhorse device for customers, exceeding all expectations. But, the Classic has long surpassed the average lifespan for a smartphone in today's market. We are ready for this change so we can give our customers something better – entrenched in our legacy in security and pedigree in making the most productive smartphones.
If you are looking to pick up another Classic before you can't, you can check with your carrier or purchase one unlocked online before they are all gone. BlackBerry claims it is still on track for a BlackBerry OS 10.3.3 release next month, with a second update coming next year as well. While it is sad to see the Classic be put to rest, it will be exciting to see what BlackBerry has coming in the future.