BlackBerry
Porsche Design P’9983

The Porsche Design P'9983 Graphite smartphone was the third iteration of BlackBerry’s luxury device range. It featured “exclusive graphite-metallic coloured elements and [had] the finest, hand-wrapped leather on the back door cover”. Porsche Design worked in collaboration with BlackBerry to design a keyboard that had “specially crafted glass-like keys” which were highly durable. The range also had an exclusive Porsche Design PIN ID group - 2AAXXXXX, to set users apart from other BlackBerry owners. The BlackBerry PIN was a widely recognised identity during the heyday of the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service. When the device was launched, Roland Heiler, Chief Design Officer of the Porsche Design Group stated that the P'9983 Graphite was “inspired with longevity, integrity, and individuality at its core". Head of BlackBerry’s Devices business, Ron Louks, described it as being built “especially for those who strive for success every day”. He went on to claim that it was a “professional tool that would deliver superior productivity, ultimate security and privacy as well as effective communication and collaboration”. The device could be personalised with an “exclusively hand-crafted back door” made from fine Italian leather. Customers could choose from eight different colours. There was also a custom-designed leather pocket which included “intuitive technology” that helps to preserve battery power and included an exclusive “LED jewel message indicator”.