BlackBerry 10-based Z10 and Q10 smartphones are crucial steps as the fledging handset-maker attempts a comeback in the smartphone arena. Company
unveiled the handsets with much fanfare last week, with the full-touch based Z10 going on sale in UK on January 31. The early signs coming out of the country spell good news for the Canadian company.
According to a
report in AllThingsD, the white colour BlackBerry Z10 is practically sold-out all across the country, with the black version slightly easier to get hold of. AllThingsD quotes Jefferies analyst Peter Misek, who said, "We believe Carphone Warehouse is seeing widespread sell-outs, while O2, Vodafone, Orange and EE are seeing robust demand. We estimate sell-in to be at least several hundred thousand units."
While UK is not a large market by any stretch of the imagination, an encouraging start in the country is good news nonetheless. The report also states that pre-orders for the new BlackBerry in a UAE and company's home market of Canada have been "solid".
As reported
earlier, the device is expected to debut in Canada and China on February 5. Middle-east, another market that is not afraid to spend big bucks on smartphones, is expected to receive the new phone starting February 10. United States, perhaps the most crucial of the developed markets, will get the new BlackBerry Z10 around mid-March, with the BlackBerry Q10 shipping sometime in April.
With the official US launch a while way, scalpers have been having a field day, with the
BlackBerry Z10 listing on eBay for an incredible $1500.
BlackBerry's attempt to make a comeback will depend on the high-end devices like the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10, and additionally on other devices targeted at emerging markets as well. The fate of the comeback will be a cumulative reflection of how it fares in the US and the middle-east as well as markets like India and Indonesia. (See:
BlackBerry braces for fresh test in key markets India, Indonesia)
BlackBerry 10 Launch: In pictures