BlackBerry Mercury release date, specs rumors: Leak confirms device will run Android Nougat OS; to launch at CES 2017?

A screenshot of a smartphone said to be the forthcoming BlackBerry Mercury has leaked and it seemingly confirms some of the device specifications, particularly its operating system (OS) and display resolution.

Famous tipster Roland Quandt revealed the screenshot on Twitter. According to the post, the BlackBerry Mercury will run the Android 7.0 Nougat OS. It also revealed that the display will have a resolution of 1,620 x 1,080 pixels and a pixel density of 420 pixels per inch (ppi). The screenshot was also taken recently as its display shows the date Thursday, Dec. 15.

The image also somewhat confirms previous reports that the BlackBerry Mercury will feature a hardware QWERTY keyboard, reminiscent of older BlackBerry devices. The display's specs also suggest a 4.6-inch screen and a 3:2 aspect ratio.

Quandt added in later posts that the BlackBerry Mercury is "highly likely" to come to Indonesia and that it will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor.

The upcoming device, once released, it said to take on the name DTEK70. It is said to be the final smartphone to be released by BlackBerry. Future devices from the Canadian company will then be produced by TCL.

According to leaked renders and promotional images of the upcoming device, the BlackBerry Mercury will have a unique design. A fingerprint sensor is said to be integrated into the physical space bar for security.

Other specs rumored for the BlackBerry Mercury include a 3 GB of random access memory (RAM), 32 GB of built-in memory, a large 3,400 mAh battery, an 18-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera.

Reports have revealed that the BlackBerry Mercury will be released in the United States via Verizon.

The upcoming smartphone is rumored to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada this January 2017. It is then expected to arrive in the market in the first quarter of next year.