BlackBerry Motion still worth buying in 2019?
- I would say no. I bought 5 Motions last year and they have been fairly solid. Had some issues with notifications, but was resolved with an autoloader. My biggest complaint from family and employees is the camera. It is absolutely not good enough. There appears to be no successor coming so I will be straying from BlackBerry for the first time in over a decade.12-31-18 10:31 AMLike 3
-
- In a word - NO. Just bought a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite in UK instead of the Motion to replace a defunct PRIV. Same processor, graphics and battery size, slightly better performance numbers and endurance, bigger screen in smaller size. Aluminium body, fingerprint sensor on rear. 4Gb /64Gb, dual SIM plus SD and £150 cheaper. Runs BlackBerry Manager and apps just fine. Android One, so no clutter / bloatware and now on Pie.
https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php...&idPhone2=9247Last edited by colinstone; 01-01-19 at 08:44 AM.
adonesc likes this.01-01-19 08:27 AMLike 1 - Just bought a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite in UK instead of the Motion to replace a defunct PRIV. Same processor, graphics and battery size, slightly better performance numbers and endurance, bigger screen in smaller size. Aluminium body, fingerprint sensor on rear. 4Gb /64Gb, dual SIM plus SD and £150 cheaper. Runs BlackBerry Manager and apps just fine. Android One, so no clutter / bloatware and now on Pie.01-01-19 08:40 AMLike 2
- That’s biggest reason why BB VKB devices won’t succeed. The cost to produce structure won’t compete with the BBAndroid licensing fees that have to be paid from BBMo to BB on each device. If a certain volume is reached, maybe that changes, but for now, that’s not the case.
And by the way, that applies to the keyboard versions as well.adonesc likes this.01-01-19 09:04 AMLike 1 -
"Impressive photos, in any light."
From the BlackBerry Mobile product page for the BlackBerry KEYone:
"The camera on KEYone delivers sharp, crisp photos in any light."
Is either of those claims consistent with the experiences of those who purchased either of these devices? I don't think so.
My point is even BlackBerry Mobile recognizes the camera is an important aspect of selling a smartphone. It's time to truly deliver on it rather than hide behind false claims and gimmicks that create an illusion of progress, such as dual camera.Bbnivende likes this.01-01-19 10:32 AMLike 1 -
Your argument is to build a Buick or Cadillac trim level within the Chevrolet line. BBMo problem is they’re some import manufacturer that’s licensed the Pontiac name from GM, still competing with Ford, paying GM for the name and figuring out how to sell Pontiacs when even GM couldn’t. Pontiac chooses Solstice two seater model for the niche doesn’t sell a lot compared to econo models dominated by yet other manufacturers. It’s niche is convertibles and you’re arguing for a turbo or V8 model instead of the underpowered motor it sold based on price. It can only produce one engine model. It then makes a cheaper hardtop version so the better motor isn’t the option for it either.
Nobody argues that nicer camera isn’t wanted. At this point with all problems regarding sales, isn’t needed. You’ll lose more sales due to higher pricing, than you’ll gain from better capabilities or processing.
Look at it this way. Everybody compared Key2 to Essential Phone at introduction. Essential had camera issues that were supposedly fixed. Yet device only sold at fire sale prices. Essential just announced they’re outta the phone business.
The only reason that people are buying BBMo devices is the PKB and the customers if only choosing one feature to be focused or improved is the PKB and it’s software. Everything, not just the camera, that isn’t PKB related is compromised and has to be “just good enough” for average people. The Key2 LE seems to be accomplishing that because it lacks capacitive PKB and for the lower price, seems to be acceptable for more people.
Two best selling Android/IOS smartphone models of all time, were 2013/2014 and no spec improvements since then have matched those levels. The industry has plateaued and price has become primary focus with features secondary concerns. Pick one feature you’re known for and make sure the others are good enough as cheap as possible while maintaining profit margin. It’s no longer 2013 and scrambling for volume marketshare without specific focus.Last edited by Chuck Finley69; 01-01-19 at 11:14 AM.
adonesc likes this.01-01-19 10:57 AMLike 1 - 01-01-19 11:15 AMLike 0
- In a word - NO. Just bought a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite in UK instead of the Motion to replace a defunct PRIV. Same processor, graphics and battery size, slightly better performance numbers and endurance, bigger screen in smaller size. Aluminium body, fingerprint sensor on rear. 4Gb /64Gb, dual SIM plus SD and £150 cheaper. Runs BlackBerry Manager and apps just fine. Android One, so no clutter / bloatware and now on Pie.
https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php...&idPhone2=9247
Going back to the question, if you want a VKB with the BB logo on it, I wholeheartedly recommend it for its battery life and general functioning and the lovely industrial design and feel of the device in your hands. If an average camera doesn't matter, go ahead!!01-01-19 11:20 AMLike 2 - Yes. There deals to be had with carriers . The only problem is that Carriers lack selection. Flagships from prior years can be good buys.
I will say this about BlackBerry. CrackBerry offers the best support blog amongst Android phones IMHO.Last edited by Bbnivende; 01-01-19 at 11:37 AM.
adonesc likes this.01-01-19 11:23 AMLike 1 - No it won’t. The BBTax will always make any BBHardware cost more than any same non-BB device with same even flagship specs. It’s been proven over the last ten years that people won’t pay extra for BBAndroid or various other security or BBhub design software preferences. That’s why VKB struggles compared to PKB in sales. The only way to offset the BBTax is to sell enough PKB hardware that people are willing to pay the entire tax just to get the PKB form. Since BBAndroid is same across devices, I would attempt educated guess that once minimum device level accomplished, BB charges BBMo low variable per unit cost per additional devices. The problem for BBMo is hitting the minimum quantity while keeping ASP high enough for carrier interest and per unit profit high enough for carrier interest and not running out the cash position.
Your argument is to build a Buick or Cadillac trim level within the Chevrolet line. BBMo problem is they’re some import manufacturer that’s licensed the Pontiac name from GM, still competing with Ford, paying GM for the name and figuring out how to sell Pontiacs when even GM couldn’t. Pontiac chooses Solstice two seater model for the niche doesn’t sell a lot compared to econo models dominated by yet other manufacturers. It’s niche is convertibles and you’re arguing for a turbo or V8 model instead of the underpowered motor it sold based on price. It can only produce one engine model. It then makes a cheaper hardtop version so the better motor isn’t the option for it either.
Nobody argues that nicer camera isn’t wanted. At this point with all problems regarding sales, isn’t needed. You’ll lose more sales due to higher pricing, than you’ll gain from better capabilities or processing.
Look at it this way. Everybody compared Key2 to Essential Phone at introduction. Essential had camera issues that were supposedly fixed. Yet device only sold at fire sale prices. Essential just announced they’re outta the phone business.
The only reason that people are buying BBMo devices is the PKB and the customers if only choosing one feature to be focused or improved is the PKB and it’s software. Everything, not just the camera, that isn’t PKB related is compromised and has to be “just good enough” for average people. The Key2 LE seems to be accomplishing that because it lacks capacitive PKB and for the lower price, seems to be acceptable for more people.
The camera always was and remains the Achilles heal of the BlackBerry brand. The other issues were addressed by simply switching to Android.
You seem to have a way of making this complicated by trying to rationalize their actions with excuses. Even BlackBerry Mobile itself is trying to sweep this elephant under the rug. Read their own product literature.
Excuses (and especially unsubstantiated claims) won't sell phones or prevent customers from taking their business elsewhere.adonesc likes this.01-01-19 11:38 AMLike 1 - From the BlackBerry Mobile product page for the BlackBerry Motion:
"Impressive photos, in any light."
From the BlackBerry Mobile product page for the BlackBerry KEYone:
"The camera on KEYone delivers sharp, crisp photos in any light."
Is either of those claims consistent with the experiences of those who purchased either of these devices? I don't think so.
My point is even BlackBerry Mobile recognizes the camera is an important aspect of selling a smartphone. It's time to truly deliver on it rather than hide behind false claims and gimmicks that create an illusion of progress, such as dual camera.
Is the camera good enough for most people ? No idea but then again I didn't obtain the Motion for its camera ....adonesc likes this.01-01-19 11:40 AMLike 1 - My argument is simple. It's that BlackBerry Mobile needs to correct a longstanding deficiency with the BlackBerry brand if they are going to survive, and put an excellent camera in the phone.
The camera always was and remains the Achilles heal of the BlackBerry brand. The other issues were addressed by simply switching to Android.
You seem to have a way of making this complicated by trying to rationalize their actions with excuses. Even BlackBerry Mobile itself is trying to sweep this elephant under the rug. Read their own product literature.
Excuses (and especially unsubstantiated claims) won't sell phones or prevent customers from taking their business elsewhere.
I love BB and BB licensed software phones and have learned to accept they are not and never will be mainstream devices nor accepted that way. Accept them for what they are and not for what you wish they could be. There’s not enough of us, maybe ever, to expect more yet. However, PKB is the only area that OEMs aren’t competing so, BBMo needs to increase that minor strength until feature #2 on the current demand list matters. Even then it may be something else. Dual speakers, OS level gap, screen resolution or something else identified with BBMo internal sales research and data? I have no idea but they have far more reasons ($million$) to succeed than you or I have for their success.adonesc likes this.01-01-19 12:08 PMLike 1 - A couple of problems:
1. There are about 20 people on the planet who are truly experts at camera post-processing on smartphones - and about 15 of them work for Apple, Google, and Samsung. That doesn't leave many to go around, and all of these people make $5M/year+. Getting any time at all from these people is difficult or impossible, and even when you can, it's very, VERY expensive.
2. The quality of the post-processing is also heavily dependent on the GPU of the phone (part of the SoC). BB has been using mid-grade GPUs, and even though post-processing can be improved from its current state via software, it's never going to complete with flagship-level phones that have far better GPUs - part of what you pay for with those phones is their photo post-processing abilities.
When you are selling 100,000 of a given phone model, then if you spend an extra $1M on development on it, then you increase the wholesale costs by $10 per phone - BUT, you increase the RETAIl price of the phone by $40-50. That's because your distributer and your retailer is going to mark up that price increase (standard selling practice for anything). BBMo has to do this kind of math before they invest more money into a project.
If spending $1M would help them sell 500,000 phones instead, then they could spread out that cost per phone down to $2, which means a $10 per phone retail price increase, and THAT might be manageable, and so it might make sense to spend the money. But if spending that money means only selling 150,000 instead of 100,000 (a 50,000 increase), then the numbers don't work and they can't justify spending the money.
As it is, BBMo is probably paying BB $20-30 per phone, but that means a retail price increase of $100-150 over similar devices - and that is in fact exactly what we actually see. This puts BBMo at a serious price disadvantage already, and makes them much less likely to do anything that will increase the price further.01-01-19 12:32 PMLike 0 - Again, to answer the OPs question....yes it is worth buying the Motion in 2019 given the limitation of the camera . if you want a super duper camera experience you may have to choose a more expensive device although there are most probably similar spec devices that don't have the BlackBerry protection in place....adonesc likes this.01-01-19 12:47 PMLike 1
- Forum
- Android BlackBerry Phones & OS
- BlackBerry Motion
BlackBerry Motion still worth buying in 2019?
Similar Threads
-
Blackberry 9000 Bold Prototype. An in depth look.
By gsm_dealer08 in forum BlackBerry Bold SeriesReplies: 3Last Post: 04-06-19, 11:12 AM -
We're giving away a BlackBerry KEY2 LE and a pile of BlackBerry swag!
By CrackBerry News in forum CrackBerry.com News Discussion & ContestsReplies: 4Last Post: 04-05-19, 09:58 PM -
Blackberry Keyone (unlocked) for Sale
By rebroker2009 in forum Buy, Sell, Trade - Sold / ArchivedReplies: 3Last Post: 04-03-19, 12:37 AM -
How to keep Password Keeper above line in App Drawer?
By hamilgs in forum BlackBerry KEY2Replies: 1Last Post: 04-01-19, 04:04 PM -
2019 on Verizon: KeyOne or Key2 LE?
By cdeliz in forum Ask a QuestionReplies: 1Last Post: 04-01-19, 03:47 PM
LINK TO POST COPIED TO CLIPBOARD