BlackBerry's new BlackBerry 10 devices had a solid launch in Canada and Europe in early February, but the decision to delay the launch in the U.S., a hugely important market, may be costly for BlackBerry.
Goldman Sachs reduced its investment rating on BlackBerry from "buy" to neutral" and described a "disappointing" launch for the BlackBerry Z10.
Citigroup also downgraded BlackBerry after finding that less than 5 percent of shops in the US had sold out of the Z10, despite each only stocking around a dozen of the phones.
The launch in the U.S. by AT&T has been "listless", according to Forbes. Jefferies' analyst Peter Misek though has more positive things to say, "We think demand is slightly better than our very modest expectations."
AT&T launched the BlackBerry Z10 March 22, T-Mobile released the all-touch device March 26, and Verizon is set to release the BB10-powered handset March 28.
What Else You Need To Know
- Goldman said there was a "surprising lack of marketing support and poor positioning of the product" in several retail outlets, including AT&T stores, Best Buy and Radio Shack.
- Early this month BlackBerry announced that an unnamed partner placed an order for 1 million BlackBerry 10 smartphones, the company's largest single order ever -- this mystery purchaser is Verizon's big-box retail distributor Brightstar, AllThingsD revealed.
- BlackBerry's momentum may have slowed in the wake of Samsung's launching of the Galaxy S4 earlier this month and the unveiling of the HTC One in February.
Other sources
Early reaction in carrier stores suggests that BlackBerry will have an uphill struggle restoring its position with consumers and carriers alike.- Charles Arthur, The Guardian
- BGR
- Goldman: ‘Disappointing’ BlackBerry Z10 launch hindered by ‘surprising lack of marketing support’
- Fierce Wireless
- BlackBerry Z10 sales get off to slow start at AT&T, but more U.S. carrier support coming
- BGR
- BlackBerry Z10 sales said to have ‘dramatically slowed’ with Galaxy S 4 on the way
- Fierce Wireless
- Report: Brightstar is mystery buyer of 1M BlackBerry 10 phones
- BGR
- Brightstar revealed as mystery company that bought 1 million BlackBerry 10 devices
- N4BB
- AT&T BlackBerry Z10 Sales “Better Than Modest Expectations,” says Peter Misek
- Phone Arena
- Mystery buyer of 1 million BlackBerry 10 units is revealed
- N4BB
- One Million BlackBerry 10 Phones Allegedly Bought By Brightstar
- Berry Review
- Who bought the 1 Million BlackBerry 10 Devices? Brightstar
- Other
- BlackBerry shares tumble after 'disappointing' debut of Z10 smartphones in the US
- More...