BlackBerry has finally announced dates for the BlackBerry Q10 launch, although they have only added a specific date to the Canadian release date. The keyboard edition has been wanted for quite some time – with users saying they want the unique BlackBerry experience back.
Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility and Telus will all be carrying the BlackBerry Q10 in Canada. The phone will come on a three year contract with a $199 subsidised fee. This is pretty standard across Canada for flagship devices. BlackBerry has announced the Q10 will be released in Canada on May 1.
However, given the success of the BlackBerry Z10 in the UK and the support BlackBerry gets in the UK, they have decided to launch the Q10 here first. The phone will probably come on all major carriers, including EE, Vodafone, 02, Orange, T-Mobile and 3.
BlackBerry has not given a specific date for the UK launch but has said sometime in April the phone will be released. With the UK’s diverse amount of carriers, we expect the phone to come in a range of contracts.
The US will again be the last to get the BlackBerry device, with the release date for the Q10 sometime late May. The phone will be on a two-year contract with a $249 subsidised fee.
BlackBerry has done well with the BlackBerry Z10, selling over one million units in the US alone. The company has yet to give details about sales, but it seems they are ready to continue with the companies ideas.
The BlackBerry Q10 may be in for a warmer reception, with big BlackBerry fans still craving for the qwerty keyboard. The small three and a half inch touchscreen may come as an added bonus to the smartphone.
We will have to wait for the Q10 release to see if it is any competition to other smartphones out there, if anything, it is unique.
