BlackBerry: No plans to release new BB10 phones in Japan

By Trevor Mogg February 8, 2013

It’s one of the biggest markets in the world for mobile phones but BlackBerry has decided not to launch its new BlackBerry 10 devices there.

While the BlackBerry brand doesn’t have much of a following in the country – its share of the mobile market currently stands at a measly 0.3 percent – the mobile maker clearly sees no value in investing in an advertising campaign in a bid to boost its profile in the Asian nation.

“Japan is not a major market for BlackBerry and we have no plans to launch BlackBerry 10 devices there at this time,” BlackBerry spokesperson Amy McDowell confirmed in a statement, adding “However, we will continue to support BlackBerry customers in Japan.”

For Japanese consumers, the iPhone is currently one of the most popular smartphones, with data from research firm Kantar Worldpanel Comtech showing that Apple’s device accounted for 66 percent of all smartphone sales in the country in the final quarter of last year.

BlackBerry launched its new BlackBerry 10 platform at a special event in New York at the end of last month. The first BB10 handset to hit stores – or at least, stores in the UK and Canada – is the all-touchscreen Z10, with early reports suggesting strong consumer interest. The phone will arrive in the US some time next month once carrier testing is complete.

The Q10 device, which features a physical keyboard, is set to launch in a number of markets in April, though US consumers may not see it until the following month.

Once the leader in the smartphone market, BlackBerry has fallen behind in recent years with the iPhone and Android devices coming to dominate. At the least, the Canadian mobile maker is aiming to secure third place with its new platform, a goal which will involve doing battle with rival Microsoft and its Windows Phone platform, among others.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributing Editor

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

Mobile

BlackBerry Key2 LE: Everything you need to know

The BlackBerry Key2 LE is back home at Verizon, but only for business types

BlackBerry Key2 LE Hands On

The BlackBerry Key LE is a lower-cost version of the Key2, doing away with some of the more high-tech features seen on the expensive sister phone, and cutting costs by using different materials for the body, to create a more affordable but still distinctly BlackBerry smartphone.

You can check out our Key2 LE review to learn more about what it's like to live with the phone, but in the meantime, here are all the technical specs, details, and availability options.
Updates
The BlackBerry Key2 LE is available to buy at Verizon, but only to business and enterprise customers, according to reports. Verizon's selling the Key2 LE for $450 without a contract, or for $100 if you sign up for a two-year plan. The phone does not show up on Verizon's non-business store, so there does not seem to be the option to buy the phone for this price without a business plan.

Mobile

The Honor Magic 6 RSR is my new favorite Android phone of 2024

Someone holding the Honor Magic 6 RSR outside.

There's no doubt that 2024 has already been an exciting year for Android phones. Samsung wowed us with the Galaxy S24 series at the beginning of the year, the OnePlus 12 and 12R are two of the best phones available right now, and Google is expected to impress later this month with the Google Pixel 8a.

But for the last few weeks, I haven't been thinking about any of those phones. Why? Because I've been using the Honor Magic 6 RSR. After launching in China this past March, the Magic 6 RSR is now available in the EU, and that's allowed more folks than ever to get their hands on the phone. And that's great, because the Honor Magic 6 RSR has quickly become my new favorite Android phone of 2024.
It has some of 2024's best smartphone hardware

Mobile

5 phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

A Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus laying on concrete.

Looking to upgrade your phone this year? You may be considering Samsung’s new Galaxy S24 Plus, which is the middle child of the S24 lineup. Given how solid the S24 Plus is, that's not a bad idea at all.

But is the Galaxy S24 Plus the best phone you can get? Maybe not, as there are plenty of other great choices that you can choose from as well. Here are some of the best alternatives to the Galaxy S24 Plus that you should take a look at before spending your hard-earned dollars.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra