BlackBerry Priv rumor: T-Mobile to offer flagship later this month?

Blackberry PrivFacebook/Blackberry

Although BlackBerry fans can own an unlocked BlackBerry Priv via retailers such as Walmart in addition to BlackBerry's online store, some subscribers who want a carrier-locked one can only get the new flagship via AT&T.

However, the carrier exclusivity of the BlackBerry Priv is already deemed to end, as Verizon already hinted that its subscribers can check out the new Android-run flagship soon.

Meanwhile, more concrete information recently floated online, saying that another carrier, T-Mobile, is also readying to offer the BlackBerry Priv to its subscribers.

According to Phone Arena, some of the readers have tipped the industry follower, complete with captured images, of what allegedly is T-Mobile's plans for 2016. Apparently, the entry for Jan. 26 showed that T-Mobile will be launching the BlackBerry Venice. Although the Canada-based company doesn't have an official one in its lineup, it is known that "Venice" was the codename for the Priv.

Meanwhile, T-Mobile has yet to come out with official details confirming the rumor. When the BlackBerry Priv came out, the mobile carrier said that it was in talks with BlackBerry over the new Android slider smartphone. However, there were no follow-up details from either of the company, so it was not known if the deal pushed through.

The BlackBerry Priv is the latest flagship offering from the Canada-based company. One main feature that sets the current iteration apart from previous flagships is that it is BlackBerry's first full Android version-run iteration, ditching the BlackBerry OS. It sports a 5.4-inch screen with a Snapdragon 808 processor, along with 3 GB of RAM, and an 18-MP main shooter at the back.

Featuring a signature BlackBerry slide-out physical QWERTY keyboard, the Priv is currently enjoying a continuously successful run and the company itself is also being rewarded as BlackBerry stocks reportedly continue to rise.