SAN FRANCISCO: The BlackBerry keyboard dethroned by touchscreens will live on in a new 5G smartphone planned for release next year, according to a deal announced on Tuesday.

Texas-based OnwardMobility will work with a Foxconn Technology Group subsidiary on a BlackBerry smartphone powered by Android software and tailored for 5G networks, the companies said in a joint release.

BlackBerry announced early this year that Chinese electronics group TCL will no longer have rights to design, make or sell its smartphones as of the end of August.

The new smartphone will make its debut in Europe and North America, and be designed to appeal to the increasing number of people working remotely, according to the release.

"Enterprise professionals are eager for secure 5G devices that enable productivity, without sacrificing the user experience," said OnwardMobility chief executive Peter Franklin.

"BlackBerry smartphones are known for protecting communications, privacy, and data."

Franklin added that the deal would "deliver a new 5G Android BlackBerry smartphone with a physical keyboard."