BlackBerry L-series squares up to iPhone 5 in latest leak

The next generation of BlackBerry is coming in the new year, and already the new phone is squaring up to the iPhone 5.

Codenamed the BlackBerry London, or L-series, the new phone will be one of the first to show off BlackBerry 10, the long-delayed and much-anticipated update to the BlackBerry operating system.

Indian site BBin posted this picture of the L-series phone next to the iPhone, revealing it's slightly larger than Apple's latest offering. Unlike previous models, the iPhone 5 is stretched to 4 inches, so judging from this snap rumours of the London's 4.2-inch screen look spot-on.

The London is also expected to boast a dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage plus a microSD slot for extra legroom, and an 8-megapixel camera.

BlackBerry builder Research in Motion will unveil BlackBerry 10 on 30 January, with two new phones expected in February. One seems certain to sport a signature BlackBerry keyboard for BB die-hards who just can't ditch their clicky keys, and the other, the London, will be all touchscreen.

The model with the keyboard is codenamed the Nevada and has also leaked ahead of its public debut. 

Is RIM onto a winner with the L-series and BlackBerry 10, or has the iPhone and Android consigned BlackBerry to the history books? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.

Image credit: BBin