Why no Blackberry form factor Android phones?

[zerocool84]

That's true. I know quite a few people who held on to their ancient BBs because they refused to give up their keyboards, while the rest of us went to iPhone or Android. They're really excited about the new BB10 keyboard model coming soon.

I betcha that model will get decent sales numbers, at least by current BB standards.

Well those few people aren't an example of the market because the market has spoken. BlackBerry phones aren't selling well, keyboard Android phones didn't sell well, BlackBerry is selling a non keyboard phone as its first new phone to save the company, the keyboard version is coming out after. That right there should tell you enough.

 

[Deeko]

Well those few people aren't an example of the market because the market has spoken. BlackBerry phones aren't selling well, keyboard Android phones didn't sell well, BlackBerry is selling a non keyboard phone as its first new phone to save the company, the keyboard version is coming out after. That right there should tell you enough.

The last high end android phone with a keyboard that was high end and marketed was the original Droid - and it sold quite well. They haven't really tried since then.

 

[zerocool84]

The last high end android phone with a keyboard that was high end and marketed was the original Droid - and it sold quite well. They haven't really tried since then.

Samsung Epic was a high end phone, Droid 2 as well. Seeing as they took away the keyboards from the ongoing revisions of those phones, I'd say the market has spoken. People say a big screen like 4.8 inches isn't for them so they'll buy a phone that fits their size like an iPhone. Enough people don't say a keyboard is important enough to have a phone with one.

 

[Deeko]

Samsung Epic was a high end phone, Droid 2 as well. Seeing as they took away the keyboards from the ongoing revisions of those phones, I'd say the market has spoken. People say a big screen like 4.8 inches isn't for them so they'll buy a phone that fits their size like an iPhone. Enough people don't say a keyboard is important enough to have a phone with one.

The Epic was high end....on Sprint. I would imagine it was the lowest selling Galaxy S phone, but not because of its keyboard - I wouldn't be surprised if the GS2 sold better on T-Mobile than Sprint. And did you see any commercials for the Epic? I don't remember one. Similarly, the Droid 2 didn't get anywhere near the amount of marketing the Droid got.

The problem is phone manufacturers seem to think they need a single "hero" device. Would a Razr Maxx HD sell better than a Razr Maxx Pro w/ keyboard? Yea, it's certainly likely - but that doesn't mean there isn't a market for that model with a keyboard. If there is literally no option, sure, those people will end up getting a touch screen phone - but they won't be as happy with it, which means they'll be more likely to change manufacturers, platforms, or carriers in the future.

With the way Samsung spits out 5,000 variants of their phones, it certainly wouldn't be hard for them to make a high end model with a keyboard too.

 

[Red Storm]

With the way Samsung spits out 5,000 variants of their phones, it certainly wouldn't be hard for them to make a high end model with a keyboard too.

Those variants are almost always low end though aren't they? I imagine it's much cheaper to do that.

I feel the market just isn't there for physical keyboards anymore. There are some who would buy it, but no where near the amount who prefer touch screens.

 

[Eug]

Well those few people aren't an example of the market because the market has spoken. BlackBerry phones aren't selling well, keyboard Android phones didn't sell well, BlackBerry is selling a non keyboard phone as its first new phone to save the company, the keyboard version is coming out after. That right there should tell you enough.

BlackBerry phones of late weren't selling well because they were hopefully outdated in terms of specs and OS.

If anything I think their launch plans are telling, in that they will release a keyboard version of the flagship phone, the Q10.

However, like I said, I myself am not a fan of those designs because the various reasons already mentioned. The only keyboard phone I'd consider is a slider. Unfortunately, slider phones in the modern era are almost non-existent. Too many have been matched to inferior specs and inferior OSes. Yes they failed, but as far as I'm concerned, nothing before Android 4.0 even counts as a viable attempt.

 

[Throckmorton]

IMO, Blackberry should have switched to building Android phones, maybe with their own security stuff included. I don't see how the market can support 4 platforms

 

[Throckmorton]

The Epic was high end....on Sprint. I would imagine it was the lowest selling Galaxy S phone, but not because of its keyboard - I wouldn't be surprised if the GS2 sold better on T-Mobile than Sprint. And did you see any commercials for the Epic? I don't remember one. Similarly, the Droid 2 didn't get anywhere near the amount of marketing the Droid got.

The problem is phone manufacturers seem to think they need a single "hero" device. Would a Razr Maxx HD sell better than a Razr Maxx Pro w/ keyboard? Yea, it's certainly likely - but that doesn't mean there isn't a market for that model with a keyboard. If there is literally no option, sure, those people will end up getting a touch screen phone - but they won't be as happy with it, which means they'll be more likely to change manufacturers, platforms, or carriers in the future.

With the way Samsung spits out 5,000 variants of their phones, it certainly wouldn't be hard for them to make a high end model with a keyboard too.

I didn't know the Galaxy S or Galaxy Pro existed until now

 

[Nothinman]

IMO, Blackberry should have switched to building Android phones, maybe with their own security stuff included. I don't see how the market can support 4 platforms

In theory they don't have to support 4 platforms, just HTML5 apps. We're not there yet but device and OS agnosticism is a growing trend that hopefully will remove many people's dependence upon specific environments.

 

[Eug]

It will be three once BlackBerry kicks Windows Phone to the curb.

 

[SunnyD]

Screen realestate > keyboard.

 

[Nothinman]

Screen realestate > keyboard.

For you and me maybe, but my gf disagrees.