BlackBerry PRIV

[Robert_Isaac]

What plans does Vodafone have for the forthcoming BB Priv?

[LordLanky]

@amdavis Thanks. That's impressive. 91% would recommend. That is the same as iPhone6 and my current HTCOneM8. Noticeably better than the HTCOneM9.

Another vote for VF to take this feedback seriously. My own business contract is up for refresh Q1 2016. If I am unable to consider the Priv my 20yr plus loyalty to VF will be challenged.

[Robert_Isaac]

I wonder if the CEO of BlackBerry knows that VF and O2 are denying their customers this phone?

Bob

[drey_p]

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@Robert_Isaac wrote:

I wonder if the CEO of BlackBerry knows that VF and O2 are denying their customers this phone?

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Remember that no network is obliged to range every handset on the market.  That being said, there is currently no statement confirming whether or not they will or won't be ranging the device.

[jeffkinn]

It's a matter of scale and economics. I'm sure the Priv is an excellent phone but demand for it is and will be very light. So far they've only sold 700,000 devices worldwide. Compare that to an iPhone or Galaxy S6 which sell in hundreds of millions.

In the USA ony AT&T is carrying the device.

That's why a network like Vodafone doesn't rush to range a device like this. They have limited resources to test, purchase and market their devices and thus they get a much larger return on that investment from looking at other handsets that are far more popular. 

[LordLanky]

@jeffkinn whilst I am tempted to agree how does that commentary support the carrying of the Alcatel 10.52 and Doro EasyPhone devices by VF....?

If there's a small market for those then why not the Priv?

[jeffkinn]

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@LordLanky wrote:
@jeffkinn whilst I am tempted to agree how does that commentary support the carrying of the Alcatel 10.52 and Doro EasyPhone devices by VF....?

If there's a small market for those then why not the Priv?

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They aren't smartphones - a totally different animal and I would imagine much less work in ranging them. The Doro EasyPhone also fulfils a specific role in providing phones for the older generation  - I bought my late father one to use.

[DanAzz]

CPW have a UK exclusive on the Priv until the end of the year (2015).
I see Amazon UK has it listed now but no delivery until W1 2016.
I am (not) surprised Vodafone haven't mentioned this on this thread (apologies if I missed it) but it would sum up the total apathy of the major carriers to anything that isn't an iPhone or Samsung.

[jeffkinn]

Perhaps the target of your displeasure should be the general customer base which shows total apathy towards anything that isn't an iPhone or a Samsung handset. They are the only two manufacturers that make any profits from the smartphone sector.

As a result of continuing losses it's highly likely that companies like Sony will exit the smartphone market just as they did with the Vaio range and HTC will go bust or be bought by someone. LG is making just 1.2 American Cents for every smartphone it sells.

So who wants to pay more for their phones and buy a make that might not be there for the duration of their contract?

All of these factors will be taken into consideration when the ranging decisions are being taken.

[DanAzz]

@jeffkinn I agree the masses have been bombarded by marketing from the big 2 and the carriers are servicing the demand.
I have issues with BlackBerry 's lack of marketing but I hope a major carrier like Vodafone would look at a phone on its merits and attempt to sell due that.
It would need agreement on both sides to push a phone but I suppose it would need more effort from the carrier and why would they?
Catch 22

[jeffkinn]

It is a bit of a catch 22 but in the end business economics will win through. The networks have to put their efforts and investment where they'll get the best return. Blackberry has a long and distinguished history and a loyal user base. I had both the Blackberry Storm 1 and 2 and loved them even though they were universally panned by nearly everyone. 

But if they only expect to sell very low volumes it won't be a priority for them. The same is true of Windows phones. Despite the fact that they are excellent handsets they sell in very low volumes.