[Dunt Dunt Dunt]

At times you have a forego a higher profit for a lower profit so that you can capture more market share which in the long run will give you more profit. And since they are in it for long, when they are trying to establish themselves, profit "maximisation" isn't the best option IMO. Definitely make a profit, don't sell at a loss but don't try to maximise it when you are trying to establish yourself.
Ofcourse BBMobile could be working with a different mindset.

Posted via CB10

TCL Communications doesn't really care about "marketshare", it's their bottom line and the future they are worried about. Yes they would very much like to expand their position into Western markets (work great for the separate TCL Group selling TVs) and especially in areas where they hope to be able to demand higher margins (Enterprise). But the simple FACT is they can not afford to loose money - go look at their finical statements, they are in the RED (HK$550 Million) and loosing revenue (down almost 20% YoY). Some believe the BlackBerry "partnership" as they refer to it to their investors was more of a gimmick to distract from the companies negative outlook.

So yes BlackBerry Mobile is being conservative, they really have no other choice.

[Emaderton3]

TCL Communications doesn't really care about "marketshare", it's their bottom line and the future they are worried about. Yes they would very much like to expand their position into Western markets (work great for the separate TCL Group selling TVs) and especially in areas where they hope to be able to demand higher margins (Enterprise). But the simple FACT is they can not afford to loose money - go look at their finical statements, they are in the RED (HK$550 Million) and loosing revenue (down almost 20% YoY). Some believe the BlackBerry "partnership" as they refer to it to their investors was more of a gimmick to distract from the companies negative outlook.

So yes BlackBerry Mobile is being conservative, they really have no other choice.

Then why take on such a risky venture with BlackBerry which was not selling phones either? The BlackBerry name generates minimal buzz and press which really doesn't seem like much of a distraction.

Posted via CB10

[bb10adopter111]

How much is a brand new mid-tier slab phone from a reputable company?

Meanwhile, millions of people will she'll out $1000 for the next iPhone.

Posted via CB10

Trying to enter the super premium market vs. Samsung and Apple with less than $10B in capital to invest would be insane and futile. Looking for a profitable niche not well served by the mass market consumer electronics companies is the smarter play.

Posted with my trusty Z10

[stlabrat]

Op, follow the templet estimated what you want will cost as bill of material. Plus import duty, and don't forget the chinese wage went up to more than 4000 chinese yen per month (more than 650 USD I believe) this year (source June 2017 Businessweek). Keyboard is more labour intensive compare to slab, so add 30-50% labour cost. Smaller volume with same cost of tooling, test fixture will resulted higher cost for each unit, make sure you including that. also you need add 50-60 dollar for the carrier substy if you want them carrier your phone instead of un-locked. etc. (i am sure i missed few). After you completed estimate and see how much your target price still profitable or not. If it is more than 100 per unit, give TCL a call and get program managerment certificant and take a legal course on the side (just in case your budget got busted, or your contract with someone like qualcomm not fly, missing a clause or so, you sort of covered... ohh, don't forget add potential lawyer fee and risk insurance). and put a small amount (high 5 digit or low 6 digit) to cover components delay - rush order for example, that you end up paying more, on the side as security ... (like apple currently got problem with VCSEL, for example, or screen fall off, you need double order screen). Happy calculating... ;-). If you have data from K1 tear down, a good place to start to get the cost estimate for small volume..
iPhone 7 IHS teardown list of component prices - Business Insider

[allsportsfan]

The industry
Can't tell you those for obvious reasons.

Posted via CB10

Look at the industry then, the only mobile companies making a profit are Apple and Samsung, everyone else is either breaking even or losing lots of money like HTC or LG.

[Invictus0]

Look at the industry then, the only mobile companies making a profit are Apple and Samsung, everyone else is either breaking even or losing lots of money like HTC or LG.

Not necessarily,

Huawei gets crowned most profitable Android OEM in Q3 | AndroidGuys

[Linto988]

Waterproof

Posted via CB10

[Linto988]

Wireless charging

Posted via CB10

[Dunt Dunt Dunt]

Look at the industry then, the only mobile companies making a profit are Apple and Samsung, everyone else is either breaking even or losing lots of money like HTC or LG.

And TCL Communications... their business is down about 20% YoY and they lost KH$550 Million. Their transition from "dumb" phones to "smart" phones has been a very difficult one. As there simply isn't much profit in the $70 smartphone business.

They would love to get into the higher margin end of the business.... they hoped "brand" names would give them that opportunity. If only they could combine the "brands" with higher quality devices like Huawei has been able to do.

[farmwersteve]

1. waaaay louder speakers
2. stronger antenna
3. swipe down for Symbols. like PP
4. ability to take photos and video with flipcase closed. ie one handed video while sporting a flipcase

[idssteve]

And TCL Communications... their business is down about 20% YoY and they lost KH$550 Million. Their transition from "dumb" phones to "smart" phones has been a very difficult one. As there simply isn't much profit in the $70 smartphone business.

They would love to get into the higher margin end of the business.... they hoped "brand" names would give them that opportunity. If only they could combine the "brands" with higher quality devices like Huawei has been able to do.

I honestly know next to nothing about Huawei... can you elaborate on what's meant by "higher quality devices"? Does that mean superior construction? Specs? Battery? "Subjective feel"... ? How does their pricing compare?

Not looking to start a "brand war", or anything, just seeking to piece together the market puzzle in a way that might inform a path forward for DLC/BB... inquiring minds, ya kno. Lol.

[farmwersteve]

Let's stick to the topic please.
moderators?

[stlabrat]

Apple raked in 83.4% of Smartphone Profits in Q1 2017 while Samsung sat in Apple's Shadow at 12.9% - Patently Apple
apple took 89% of profit, good to know oppo and Huawei still in black, Sammy didn't make that much on phone 12% profit, but huge profit on components, rest all in red for Q1, 2017... Wondering what happen on Q2 - both apple and sammy don't have anything new... Q3/Q4 would be the key quarters since both got new product come out... would nice to see TCL compare to the Oppo or huawei in Q3/Q4... (Q2 got be tough, screen fall off...). Anyone got later data than Q1? (forget last year, sammy got note 7, in the tank).

[idssteve]

Well, comparing competitive products is essential to informing what we "would like to see in the KEYtwo (Hardware Wise)" , imo. I'll defer to mods on that...

SOooo... if topic is simply about what we'd like, as opposed to what we can rationally expect, ... MY personal like starts with 9900 chassis (no, not even a mm larger!!!), flagship internals, respectable cameras, dual SD, ... aimed at HIGH end market... $1000+... so no excuse for sub par specs... Something a PROFESSIONAL can comfortably, and PROUDLY, operate in a single hand while taking notes with the other hand....

What are the chances of seeing THAT dream come true??? Lol.

Now, we're on topic, at least. Lol.

[anon(10317066)]

I really really hope dual SIM becomes more common. This is such a useful and handy feature. Also if they can find a way to put back the physical toolbelt that would be awesome.

[anon(1723145)]

Move or dump the convenience key! It was a great feature on BBOS but just gets in the way on the K1.