- I think the price is fair, and it is an unfair comparison to go off of the examples cheap Android phones set. Android is a completely different platform with its own strengths and weaknesses.
BlackBerry is more than just the device, but an actual service and platform worth buying into for its target demographic.
Personally, considering how much I love working on a BlackBerry, I think cost for the device, and a couple hundred for the OS is quite reasonable.
To each their own, though.
Posted via CB10seacan2 likes this.12-19-14 08:16 AMLike 1 - if Blackberry phones would sell that is a valid argument but they are not ...2 million devices per quarter is a joke compared to what other OEMs sell. Apple sells that in a day and the average price is double that12-19-14 08:20 AMLike 0
- I do not think that the Classic buyer is very price sensitive. Either they want it or they don't. If it were $300 would a price sensitive buyer want it over a comparatively priced all touch - no. The bargain buyer wants a big screen and access to the Google Play store. BB10 is not a draw for consumers. If the Classic ran a Google Android OS it would probably get more sales than the BB10 version. The Classic is for people who want a keyboard because they send a lot of e-mails and texts or they just can't type on glass. There might be some buyers who are just bored and want to try something different.
I think the Classic is priced about right for its market. Personally, I would have preferred the larger back lit trackpad from my 9900 and even the curved keyboard. I would have preferred the shiny stainless steel rim than the cheaper looking grey. For what ever reason the Passport feels like a premium device and the Classic does not. It is like they have another gear to go. I hope they bring out a more expensive - better materials higher spec model with the old trackpad.MarsupilamiX likes this.12-19-14 08:55 AMLike 1 -
The Passport isn't overpriced at all - it is a high end phone in every way. It has a high end processor, screen, and solid camera.
I agree with the OP on the classic though - $450 is too much. It reminds me of the original Moto X (which was a very good phone) but was overpriced for its specs. It started selling once Motorola lowered the price to $299/$349.
The BlackBerry Classic has Moto G specs and the Moto G is a $200 phone.
I think the Classic is a very promising device. However - the camera isn't high end, the processor isn't high end, and the screen isn't high end. I am sure that it will preform well - but you can't charge high prices just for performance or the Toyota Camry would cost $60,000.MarsupilamiX and tw1g_007 like this.12-19-14 09:59 AMLike 2 - A 2-year contract means your monthly phone service has a built-in (not line-item-listed) $20/month fee to pay back your phone subsidy. Of that $480 ($20 x 24 months), up to $450 is applied to the price of the phone, and any overage is what you pay up-front as the down-payment. So, "$50 on contract" is essentially the same as $500 outright. The fact that you can actually buy the phone for $450 outright means the contract price is further screwing you for an extra $50 (because they're only applying $400 of the $480 they'll collect from you on your monthly bill towards the cost of the phone - the rest they pocket as pure profit).
Contracts are no bargain!12-19-14 10:02 AMLike 0 - Blackberry just needs to make their factory workers work 18 days straight with little sleep like apple does. Then we could have our $200 phones.
BBC News - Secret video of 'exhausted workforce' in Chinese factory making Apple products
Posted via CB10
But let's be honest, if you broke down the iPhones.... they are also overpriced based on hardware alone. But the software and the ecosystem provide perceived added value. BlackBerry's problem is while the software is good, the requirement of the runtime has hampered the performance and made the UI a little less understandable. And the need to use Android is going to make many question "why not just buy a 100% compatible Android device that is cheaper and has better hardware".vbdwork likes this.12-19-14 10:02 AMLike 1 - A 2-year contract means your monthly phone service has a built-in (not line-item-listed) $20/month fee to pay back your phone subsidy. Of that $480 ($20 x 24 months), up to $450 is applied to the price of the phone, and any overage is what you pay up-front as the down-payment. So, "$50 on contract" is essentially the same as $500 outright. The fact that you can actually buy the phone for $450 outright means the contract price is further screwing you for an extra $50 (because they're only applying $400 of the $480 they'll collect from you on your monthly bill towards the cost of the phone - the rest they pocket as pure profit).
Contracts are no bargain!12-19-14 11:04 AMLike 0 -
Apple sells more phones because of the brand they created....in which most people don't care about, don't know about, and won't ever be swayed by "specs" (In Valley girl accent: " Like, uh., are specs, like uh, those pieces of dust on the screen? Uh, like, I don't like specs....")
Your logic seems to be that if BB just made higher specs they sell more phones just like Apple does.12-19-14 11:36 AMLike 0 - A 2-year contract means your monthly phone service has a built-in (not line-item-listed) $20/month fee to pay back your phone subsidy. Of that $480 ($20 x 24 months), up to $450 is applied to the price of the phone, and any overage is what you pay up-front as the down-payment. So, "$50 on contract" is essentially the same as $500 outright. The fact that you can actually buy the phone for $450 outright means the contract price is further screwing you for an extra $50 (because they're only applying $400 of the $480 they'll collect from you on your monthly bill towards the cost of the phone - the rest they pocket as pure profit).
Contracts are no bargain!Superfly_FR likes this.12-19-14 11:46 AMLike 1 - Customers asked BlackBerry to continue producing the Bold and it's available for $400. Customers said they're not willing to move to BB10 unless it had the "classic" Bold features. BlackBerry built the Classic and is selling it for $450. Customers are willing to pay $400 for very old tech because it's their workhorse. For $50 more, they have a solution for moving forward. For these customers, what's important is that they get to maintain their existing infrastructure and not have to spend time/money redoing their operations.
Will they be paying $450 for Classics? Probably not. They'll get the same volume pricing as they do for buying Bolds.
How do we know that the Classic is intended for this audience? There's a no camera version. Who would build a no camera version, in this day and age, unless they have customers that require it?
Is the Classic about expanding BlackBerry's marketshare? No. It's about keeping existing customers happy. The first step is to stem customer losses, and then expand, which is what has been outlined in their strategy.12-19-14 12:01 PMLike 0 - 12-19-14 12:23 PMLike 0
- I went from the Z10 to the Passport because of the wider screen (I Like to read a lot), but I also liked buttons for typing. I was satisfied enough with the Z10's performance that I passed on an offer from my wife to trade phones (she has a Samsung S5). I would have gotten a Classic if there had been no Passport for the same reason. Passport only about an inch wider than the Z10 and about the same length (fits in pocket unless you wear skinny jeans). If buttons don't jazz you up, just stick with the Z10. It's still a good phone.12-19-14 12:30 PMLike 0
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This guy is more like the Passport. I think the Classic will be easier to live with, and more fun to use on a daily basis.
jay64 likes this.12-19-14 12:31 PMLike 1 -
- Customers asked BlackBerry to continue producing the Bold and it's available for $400. Customers said they're not willing to move to BB10 unless it had the "classic" Bold features. BlackBerry built the Classic and is selling it for $450. Customers are willing to pay $400 for very old tech because it's their workhorse. For $50 more, they have a solution for moving forward. For these customers, what's important is that they get to maintain their existing infrastructure and not have to spend time/money redoing their operations.
Will they be paying $450 for Classics? Probably not. They'll get the same volume pricing as they do for buying Bolds.
As I see it, BlackBerry has made it easier for these customers to move to BB10 while sticking to a smartphone that resembles the Bold 9900.
It's all about choice.
Edit: unable to attach dog picture using cb app :/ so Imaginary dog says Woof woof
Posted via CB1012-19-14 02:06 PMLike 0 -
- I agree.
As I see it, BlackBerry has made it easier for these customers to move to BB10 while sticking to a smartphone that resembles the Bold 9900.
It's all about choice.
Edit: unable to attach dog picture using cb app :/ so Imaginary dog says Woof woof
Posted via CB10
Sent from my gorgeous sexy white BEAST of a Note 4 ❤kevets likes this.12-19-14 02:19 PMLike 1 - Word is Classic will be $50 with a contract (link)
http://doggysurprise.com/wp-content/...p-dog-food.jpg
It's a BlackBerry Z30 on Big Redkevets likes this.12-19-14 03:00 PMLike 1 -
Posted without the aid of AutoCorrect with my physical keyboard via CB1012-19-14 03:13 PMLike 0 -
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Classic specs don't warrant $449.99 price tag!
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