BlackBerry working on Android powered Neon, Argon and Mercury with release expected in each quarter

After releasing the flagship Priv, BlackBerry is now working on as many as three Android-powered devices aimed at consumers from different segments of the market. The company plans to release one phone in each of the next three quarters.

Neon is believed to be the first device that would be launched and could feature a 5.2in screen with 1080p resolution and would not incorporate a physical keyboard. The handset would consist an aluminum frame and plastic back.

It will be powered by a Snapdragon 617 chip and be paired with 3GB RAM. It will have a 2610 mAh battery that would support QuickCharger 2.0. Equipped with a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera, the device is expected to go on sale either in July or August with a fairly competitive price range. VentureBeat has shared information about the three devices and has claimed that they will have different form factors and pricing.

The next device to be released is codenamed Argon, which could be released in October. Argon is likely to have a slight bigger screen than the Neon, at 5.5in with QHD resolution, same as BlackBerry Priv. This handset is meant for enterprise and enthusiast consumers.

Some of the key elements of Argon are Snapdragon 820 chip, 4GB RAM, 3000mAh battery with QuickCharger 3.0 support. Other noteworthy features are 32GB storage, USB type C connector and fingerprint scanner. Expect a 21MP rear camera and an 8MP front snapper.

The third handset to be launched is called Mercury, for which users may have to wait until the first quarter of 2017. The report states Mercury is the only device of all the three to sport a physical Qwerty keyboard, like the Priv, but without a slider.

Mercury is expected to sport a 4.5in full HD resolution screen and powered by Snapdragon 625 chip, which would be coupled with 3GB RAM. Other features include 32GB internal storage, 3400mAh battery and an 18 megapixel camera at the back.