The launch of BlackBerry’s latest Operating System, the BB10, was essential for RIM as the former OS, the BB7, was so outdated compared to Android, iOS and somewhat Windows 8. BB10 is built from ground up and is expected to be responsible for BlackBerry’s survival or its ultimate demise. The BB10 is a really good OS with smooth User-Interface. Its browsing experience is much better than any of the Android or Apple device. In spite of all these accolades, the latest flagship from BlackBerry Z10 won’t be able to save BlackBerry and here is why:
1. It’s too late – Android and Apple are the two dominant players in the smartphone market. Indeed, Apple and Android cover 85% market share in the smartphone industry. Moreover, for the American market, the Z10 is scheduled to launch on 27th March whilst it has already been launched in Canada and the UK. This coupled with the expected launch of Samsung’s Galaxy S4 in the first week of April suggests that American smart-phone buyers are likely to wait for 15-20 days for the Galaxy S4 which is expected to be a much better device.
2. No Innovation – Although BB10 is designed from the ground up, there is nothing new in it that will make people say “I want a BlackBerry Z10”. Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5S might come up with fingerprint technology. Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S4 might use flexible display. But I can’t necessarily see anything particularly tempting about BlackBerry’s Z10.
3. Apps – Apps are the main reason for success of any OS. BlackBerry fails badly in this area. No doubt, BlackBerry is working really hard to encourage developers to develop apps for their latest BB10 OS. But still the truth is that BlackBerry10 is short in this area and it will be hard for users to find good apps for their daily use. Even the world famous Google Maps app is not available in BB10. There are also lots of other popular apps that can’t be found in BlackBerry Z10.
4.Device Choice – When you want to buy an Android phone, you have tons of choices. You can choose from varying screen sizes and you will most likely find a phone for your budget. You also have some choices when buying Windows phones but that is not the case with BlackBerry; you have to choose either the Z10 or Q10.
5. Accessories – The smart-phone market is flooded with hundreds of useful accessories for iPhone or Android phones. Since BB10 is designed from the ground up and BlackBerry phones are not so popular among people, it may be more difficult to find accessories for the BlackBerry Z10.
6.Poor Build – BlackBerry Z10 feels more plastic. More metal would have added value to this phone. Although it slightly resembles the iPhone 5, it doesn’t give the same feeling when holding it. Indeed, some metallic finish would have enhanced the BlackBerry Z10’s looks and feel.
In conclusion, although the BlackBerry Z10 is not a bad phone and it will attract users who are bored of their Android or iPhones, it also does not appear good enough to steal the market shares of Android or Apple. There is no doubt to me that Android and iOS will remain the dominant player in the market. However, there is a possibility that BB will occupy third place thereby displacing Nokia in the process. On a positive note, since its launch the initial response in markets like the UK and Canada are quite good. But if t is a direct competition between BlackBerry Z10, Samsung Galaxy S3 and Apple’s iPhone 5, users are more likely to go for the iPhone 5 or Galaxy S3 as supported by the following article.
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Mark Fuqua
February 21, 2013 at 12:29 am
Actually, I think many enterprises are going to opt for the Blackberry. Their new feature they call Balance is one reason…being able to segment personal and business use (not just contacts, but the whole basic operation) will be very inviting.
Add the very secure email already part of Blackberry and the rather innovative calendar features and I think they will get a good reception for this phone.
Let’s hope so anyway…the more significant players there are, the better all the platforms will be.
Shyam Sunder
February 21, 2013 at 6:56 am
Hi Mark,
I agree that call balance and calender features are great in new BB Z10.But I think if BlackBerry has made a mistake delaying Z10 for US market and not making Q10 available for sale.Since Q10 is a QWERTY phone,it will cater business people because of its ease to use.I have read somewhere that a company in US replaced their staff’s old BB to iPhone5.If Q10 would have been there then this might not have happen.
Dr. Mobi
February 21, 2013 at 3:11 pm
Hey Shyam,I do not agree with you that the BB OS10 is not innovative. The Notification Center and the OS is groomed in such a way to allow tight compatibility with other products. Also, the Look of the OS and the Enterprise Emailing solution is so advanced that no other provider can compete with it.
Kelly
February 26, 2013 at 8:54 am
There was once a time when the BlackBerry ruled the business world. Today it’s a different story. Without really chaning their interface I don’t really think they can match up to Apple or Samsung.
Shyam Sunder
February 28, 2013 at 9:19 am
Samsung is a game-changer in smart-phone industry.BB ruled the world once but was taken over by Apple.Now only Apple and Samsung are two main competitors.Thanks for the comment.
Kristine
February 26, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Based on experience, BB phones are really complicated and wear-and-tear easily. It’s not really my top pick. I’d still go for the Samsung SIII.
Shyam Sunder
February 28, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Apart from Galaxy S3,you can even go for HTC One which I think is better than S3 in terms of looks and feel and it offers better hardware than S3 also.Personally,I am not a fan of BB.I would prefer iOS or Android.
Emilia
February 27, 2013 at 12:47 am
It’s a BlackBerry, it’s BOUND to fail. I’ve had their older models and they’ve been nothing but trouble. The OS crashes so often that I can barely use the unit. I’m not surprised if this would be like the same useless piece I bought myself 2 years ago.
Shyam Sunder
February 28, 2013 at 1:01 pm
I didn’t mean BB is bound to fail.All I wanted to say is BB Z10 will fail.BB10 is a good OS overall but it still falls behind Android and iOS in certain areas.BlackBerry needs to work on BB10 and present a more polished version of BB10.Yes,their previous OS BB7 was so disappointing but BB10 is far more better.If you love BlackBerry than you can definitely go for BlackBerry Z10.
Sandra
February 27, 2013 at 9:22 am
I think BlackBerry is just setting themselves up to fail with this model. But then again there are a lot of asian countries that patronize the brand due to the low prices.
Shyam Sunder
February 28, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Asian countries are price conscious and in my country India BB Z10 is selling on Rs. 44000($820).iPhone 5 costs the same whereas Galaxy S3’s price is Rs.30000($630).I don’t find a reason to buy BB Z10 at this price.In India,Z10 will possibly fail.