Blackberry is 'going all in' with PRIV Android; Could be Their Last Phone

[dgstorm]

Photo credit: GSMArena​

According to statements from Blackberry's own CEO, John Chen, the company is betting the farm on the new PRIV Android smartphone. Analysts in the industry point out that Chen has basically set the stakes for an "all or nothing" move with the new phone. CNET's Roger Cheng claims that if the new $700 PRIV isn't a success, it may be Blackberry's last smartphone. He points out that Blackberry CEO Chen has repeatedly stated that he will dump the smartphone business if the PRIV flops. Here's a quote with the details,

CNET’s Roger Cheng has written a lengthy piece about BlackBerry’s decision to finally make an Android phone and he if it bombs, there’s a very good chance it will be the last BlackBerry smartphone.

“If the $700 Priv flops, that will likely spell the end of the BlackBerry smartphone,” Cheng states bluntly. “[BlackBerry CEO John] Chen has already set the stakes. He’s said, repeatedly, that he’ll dump the smartphone business if it doesn’t turn a profit. While it doesn’t break out earnings from its devices business, BlackBerry has lost more than $6 billion in the last two and a half years. To move into the black, the company must sell 5 million smartphones next year. That’s a tall order considering it sold just 800,000 last quarter, less than half as much as it sold a year ago.”

Similarly, Bloomberg quotes Brian Colello, a Chicago-based analyst at Morningstar Investment Services, who also thinks this is likely it for BlackBerry as a device manufacturer.

“Perhaps there’s something else in the pipeline, but this device does seem like a last stand,” he said. “We’ve seen new products come out for the last couple years, BlackBerry’s trying to get a hit with any form factor, any price point and now it’s with a different operating system.” ~ BGR

What do you folks think? Could Blackberry sell this many devices next year, or is it too late for Blackberry's hardware business?

Here at HQ, we are rooting for the device to find success. Its security features alone are worth considering for many users. It also has a solid array of hardware and that retro slide-out keyboard. Here's our dedicated section for further discussion: Blackberry PRIV | Android Forum at DroidForums.net

 

[PereDroid]

All in: but not on VZW. #fail

I would have preordered already for my boss...

 

[thunderbolt_nick]

That...seems like a very high expectation or just very low self-worth. This is BBs first Android entry in a very niche market. If it were me, I would expect some decent sales, but save what profit I make for the next iteration. Expecting it to be a huge success is just silly.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[pc747]

All in: but not on VZW. #fail

I would have preordered already for my boss...

Agree, all in and no Verizon is failure.

I have to think they are going to release a Verizon exclusive.


Also this scares me. I could pay $700 for a super locked down device that potentially won't even get 6.0 Marshmallow that along with any support at all.

If I'm a business or enthusiasts I am sticking with Samsung (particularly the note phones) for my business device. They may be slow to get updates at times, but you at least know it will be supported for at least 18 months guaranteed.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[akhenax]

Yeah but, this is not for consumers, but rather professionals where the company has purchased the phone on their behalf. If my company were to buy this phone for me, I would not need two phones, but one, the Blackberry Priv.

This is the only phone I would want locked down, it doesn't belong to me, but rather it's on loan to me from the company.
- I can live with that.

edit: Oh, and if it's not on Verizon, then that's Verizon's fail, not Blackberry. We all know how Verizon is when it comes to new items on the market that everyone wants on their network.

 

[liftedplane]

as other's have said, if you're going all in... why skip THE BIGGEST POSSIBLE USER BASE IN THE STATES!

there basically asking for failure

 

[boidsonly]

TBH, this phone and the new LG V10 are the only 2 phones that have piqued my interest. To price it in the AYKM range and with an outdated processor doesn't bode well for BB. I would still like to get my hands on it and see what it does before I totally write it off.

 

[PereDroid]

edit: Oh, and if it's not on Verizon, then that's Verizon's fail, not Blackberry. We all know how Verizon is when it comes to new items on the market that everyone wants on their network.

No way. Totally BB's fault. Just like the Amazon phone. And that first iPhone.
Those companies wanted to be exclusive.
You think VZW turned down the iPhone? Or would turn the Priv?
No chance. Big Red has always carried BB. Every one.
These companies sign exclusives probably for a bigger chunk of the device sale. ATT isn't stupid. But RIM is.


Tap'n Turbo

 

[pc747]

Yeah but, this is not for consumers, but rather professionals where the company has purchased the phone on their behalf. If my company were to buy this phone for me, I would not need two phones, but one, the Blackberry Priv.

This is the only phone I would want locked down, it doesn't belong to me, but rather it's on loan to me from the company.
- I can live with that.

edit: Oh, and if it's not on Verizon, then that's Verizon's fail, not Blackberry. We all know how Verizon is when it comes to new items on the market that everyone wants on their network.

No, I blame BlackBerry. Motorola and the nexus line (6, 5x, and 6p) shows you can build the radios into the phone so it will work on vzws network.

Again I am thinking Verizon is going to get their own exclusive launch. Would not be surprised if it gets rebranded as a Droid device. Verizon has been BB biggest customer base in the past so I don't think they would be foolish enough to go all in and not involve the big dog. But then again I have been wrong before and it that is the case that is not going all in that is just saying "screw it" and doing a half-baked try, grabbing the CEO parachute fund, and telling the employees bye on the way out the door.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[PereDroid]

ATT will be exclusive for 6 or 12 months. It won't be a Droid if there's a similar device in the US.

Tap'n Turbo

 

[pc747]

ATT will be exclusive for 6 or 12 months. It won't be a Droid if there's a similar device in the US.

Tap'n Turbo

Well it appears I was wrong and gave BB too much credit. OK so basically they said screw it.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[xeene]

In 6-12 months bb will be irrelevant and out of smartphone business.

 

[pc747]

In 6-12 months bb will be irrelevant and out of smartphone business.

I was thinking by March.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[jbal52]

I'm very interested in the phone and would like it on (hate to say it) Verizon. I'll be in the market for a new phone next April so I'll have time for the phone to be thoroughly evaluated. Really look forward to a physical keyboard again though.

 

[cereal killer]

Its over. I say in the next 5 years or so the Android landscape will be totally different with low/mid end devices dominating the markets. Samsung is already taking on water in regards to their devices division and I wouldn't be surprised to see them exit mobile (smartphones) by 2020 if not sooner.

There are too many mid range devices out there that are just as good as the top tier devices at a fraction of the cost. Sub $400 smartphones is where the market is going.