Unihertz Titan 2 Elite hits Kickstarter for $389 and up (BlackBerry clone with Android 16)

The Unihertz Titan 2 Elite is now available for pre-order through Kickstarter, offering a nostalgic BlackBerry-style design with modern Android 16 internals. The crowdfunding campaign launched with reward tiers starting at $389, and within hours had already surpassed its $100,000 goal by over $2 million.

This new model builds on Unihertz's successful Titan 2 from last year, but makes several notable improvements while also reducing the price. The Titan 2 Elite features a 4.03-inch square AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate positioned above a physical thumb keyboard - a design that pays homage to classic BlackBerry devices while packing contemporary specifications.

Under the hood, the phone runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor paired with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of storage. It ships with Android 16 out of the box, which is particularly significant given Unihertz's mixed track record with software updates. The company promises five years of OS updates and security patches through 2031, addressing a common concern with niche Android devices.

Key specifications of the Titan 2 Elite include:

• 4.03-inch 120Hz AMOLED touchscreen (1440 x 1440 pixels)
• MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor
• 12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB storage
• 4,050mAh battery with 33W charging
• 50MP primary camera with OIS, 50MP telephoto with auto-focus, 32MP front camera
• WiFi 6, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, 5G dual-SIM support
• USB Type-C port
• Programmable side button for custom actions
• Backlit, touch-sensitive physical keyboard
• Dimensions: 137.8 x 88.7 x 10.8mm
• Weight: 235 grams

Compared to the previous Titan 2 model, the Elite version is smaller and faster, though it does sacrifice the unique rear-mounted 2-inch display. However, it gains an OLED screen, newer processor, and maintains the same camera system while adding a programmable button for quick access to apps or functions.

The physical keyboard remains the standout feature, offering backlit keys with tactile feedback. The keyboard is also touch-sensitive, allowing users to slide their finger across it for scrolling or cursor movement. Support for keyboard shortcuts and configurable long-press actions adds significant productivity potential for users who prefer physical keyboards.

Unihertz is offering the Titan 2 Elite in two color options: black and orange. The company attributes the higher price point compared to previous models to increased costs for RAM and storage, though the AMOLED display and newer processor likely contribute as well.

With the Kickstarter campaign already exceeding expectations and Unihertz's established track record of delivering niche devices, the Titan 2 Elite appears poised to ship to backers in June as planned. For users seeking a physical keyboard experience on a modern Android device, this represents one of the few available options in the current smartphone market.