[W Hoa]

"entry-level phones will come next year" says BlackBerry managing director for Europe Stephen Bates

Manufacturer to focus prepay sales on BlackBerry 7 and 7.1 handsets.

BlackBerry managing director for Europe Stephen Bates has revealed that the manufacturer will not be bringing any BlackBerry 10 prepay devices to market until 2014, Mobile Today has reported.

Speaking to Mobile, Bates said that BlackBerry would be focussing prepay sales on its BlackBerry 7 and 7.1 devices. “With BB10 we are trying to establish a new platform. We are intending to expand the portfolio towards the mid-tier in 2013 and entry-level phones will come next year.”

BlackBerry’s decision to release its touch-screen Z10 smartphone first was deemed a risky move by some, with many retailers and operators showing a preference for the Q10, which features the manufacturer’s trademark physical keyboard.

However, despite initial orders reflecting an air of caution, Jefferies analyst Peter Jefferies commented following launch: “We believe Carphone Warehouse is seeing widespread sell-outs, while O2, Vodafone, Orange and EE are seeing robust demand.”

Bates explained that the decision to release the Z10 first was in order to emphasise the innovative nature of the new operating system. He commented: “With the touch-screen handset, it was a case that that device was the best way to articulate the cinematic experience across the screen, the power of the applications, the power of browsing and showing off the innovation.”

BlackBerry 10 prepay devices on hold until 2014 | Mobile content industry news | Mobile Entertainment

[shefiu]

mid-tier devices are still good for BBRY this year... I guess end 2013 or early 2014 for entry level devices would make sense considering that they would all be touch (possibly and more expensive?) based devices.

Market the **** out of Z10 and Q10 till mid-year and then bring the mid-tier devices.

I'm personally hoping for 3 more devices this year. A new flagship, and 2 phones that would be a slight replacement of the 9790 and torch 9810 - which would form the mid-tier I guess..

That curve type leaked picture among the Q10 and Z10 does ring a bell however..

[MC_A_DOT]

If they make a 'BlackBerry Blade' (the leaked device from a while back) I think it would do well. I have a torch and a GS3 and even though I really like the z10 I know a lot of people would prefere that form factor. Plus the Blade render is pretty sexy

[Nefiasm]

If they make a 'BlackBerry Blade' (the leaked device from a while back) I think it would do well. I have a torch and a GS3 and even though I really like the z10 I know a lot of people would prefere that form factor. Plus the Blade render is pretty sexy

It was a fan made concept submitted to crackberry... nothing leaked about it, it did not come from RIM/BB.