BlackBerry’s newest “Passport” smartphone will hit the market at a lower price than two of it’s biggest competitors.

The phone will sell for $599US – without a wireless contract in America.

That’s about $50 to $250 cheaper than various models of the iPhone 6 – and Samsung’s Galaxy S4 currently on store shelves.

The strategic price may give BlackBerry an advantage as it tries to lock-in some big orders for the device from corporate customers – and it may poisition “Passport” favourably at wireless stores.

Canadian prices haven’t been officially released.

The phone’s square screen measures 4.5 inches – and the keyboard is similar to the most popular BlackBerry models.

The official unveiling is expected on Wednesday – during a multi-city media event in Toronto, Dubai and London.

The “Passport” is the first new BlackBerry device to be built since chief executive John Chen joined the company nearly a year ago.