BlackBerry Bold distant second to iPhone 3G demand

Posted
by
Simon Sage
on July 8, 2008, at 8:47 AM
in News
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Comments: 14 responses
14 Comments

iPhone 3G

According to the latest RBC Capital Markets report, 56% of consumers looking to pick up a smartphone in the next three months having the iPhone 3G at the top of their list, with the BlackBerry Bold following up at 23%. Ouch. So does this mean the iPhone’s features are wowing buyers? Not quite. The biggest factor influencing these decisions is the announced price cut of $199 on the 8 GB model and $299 for the 16 GB iPhone 3G. The extra speed from 3G was a close second point of interest, while GPS was the third most important factor. It’s bizzarre, considering the BlackBerry 9000 will be covering all of these bases, too – T-Mobile Germany’s price point for the Bold has been revealed, putting it in the same ballpark as the iPhone. Maybe if we had clearer information on BlackBerry Bold pricing, folks would be more inclined to consider it a competitor to the iPhone…

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  • Chris L

    I’ve owned 2 iPhones and 4 BlackBerrys (various reasons). I currently use a BlackBerry and likely will upgrade to whatever next series is available on Verizon (Thunder?).

    The iPhone is winning because its sexy. The perception is BlackBerry is for work. We can argue aesthetics all day, but as a consumer-level device the iPhone wins. The BlackBerry web and media experience will likely never exceed the iPhone – even me, the BlackBerry fiend that I am, acknowledge that the whole “touching” your music, pictures, and web pages is a fantastic, next-level experience.

    However, the iPhone has a million ways to catch up to the BlackBerry when it comes to getting business done. BB handles multiple email accounts, signatures, multitasking, etc 100 times better. A touchscreen keyboard does not cut it when you’re discreetly texting the CFO in a meeting.

    Its not a slam on either platform, its just the target market.

  • Chris L

    I’ve owned 2 iPhones and 4 BlackBerrys (various reasons). I currently use a BlackBerry and likely will upgrade to whatever next series is available on Verizon (Thunder?).

    The iPhone is winning because its sexy. The perception is BlackBerry is for work. We can argue aesthetics all day, but as a consumer-level device the iPhone wins. The BlackBerry web and media experience will likely never exceed the iPhone – even me, the BlackBerry fiend that I am, acknowledge that the whole “touching” your music, pictures, and web pages is a fantastic, next-level experience.

    However, the iPhone has a million ways to catch up to the BlackBerry when it comes to getting business done. BB handles multiple email accounts, signatures, multitasking, etc 100 times better. A touchscreen keyboard does not cut it when you’re discreetly texting the CFO in a meeting.

    Its not a slam on either platform, its just the target market.

  • Chris L

    I’ve owned 2 iPhones and 4 BlackBerrys (various reasons). I currently use a BlackBerry and likely will upgrade to whatever next series is available on Verizon (Thunder?).

    The iPhone is winning because its sexy. The perception is BlackBerry is for work. We can argue aesthetics all day, but as a consumer-level device the iPhone wins. The BlackBerry web and media experience will likely never exceed the iPhone – even me, the BlackBerry fiend that I am, acknowledge that the whole “touching” your music, pictures, and web pages is a fantastic, next-level experience.

    However, the iPhone has a million ways to catch up to the BlackBerry when it comes to getting business done. BB handles multiple email accounts, signatures, multitasking, etc 100 times better. A touchscreen keyboard does not cut it when you’re discreetly texting the CFO in a meeting.

    Its not a slam on either platform, its just the target market.

  • DavidB

    Agree with Chris. This is more about marketing appeal and “cool” factor rather than anything truly indicative. Also you have to consider that iPhone 3G will have TWO models, where there are at least a half dozen very different models of Blackberry in the pipes. I suspect if the research was more neutral as to SPECIFIC device, the results would be more on par. iPhone 3G versus JUST Blackberry Bold isn’t truly indicative of anything, since Bold is just one of MANY upcoming Blackberry smartphones. Plus carrier choice would have to be factored in too, since iPhone will be exclusive to ATT here in USA this survey could be accurate as far as ATT subscribers but that doesn’t encompass even half of the potential Blackberry market.

  • DavidB

    Agree with Chris. This is more about marketing appeal and “cool” factor rather than anything truly indicative. Also you have to consider that iPhone 3G will have TWO models, where there are at least a half dozen very different models of Blackberry in the pipes. I suspect if the research was more neutral as to SPECIFIC device, the results would be more on par. iPhone 3G versus JUST Blackberry Bold isn’t truly indicative of anything, since Bold is just one of MANY upcoming Blackberry smartphones. Plus carrier choice would have to be factored in too, since iPhone will be exclusive to ATT here in USA this survey could be accurate as far as ATT subscribers but that doesn’t encompass even half of the potential Blackberry market.

  • Nobody

    How about…

    “56% of consumers looking to pick up a smartphone…”

    *consumer*

    The Bold is geared by RIM as a “executive” device… for the upper managment and power users of businesses. Not as a consumer device. The iPhone IS geared as a consumer device.

    Go poll some businesses.

  • Nobody

    How about…

    “56% of consumers looking to pick up a smartphone…”

    *consumer*

    The Bold is geared by RIM as a “executive” device… for the upper managment and power users of businesses. Not as a consumer device. The iPhone IS geared as a consumer device.

    Go poll some businesses.

  • Nobody

    How about…

    “56% of consumers looking to pick up a smartphone…”

    *consumer*

    The Bold is geared by RIM as a “executive” device… for the upper managment and power users of businesses. Not as a consumer device. The iPhone IS geared as a consumer device.

    Go poll some businesses.

  • mike

    Put business requirements aside, the iPhone wins in every way.

    - Web browsing experience is a true computer experience. The BB’s web browser is like using a text based browser from the 90s.
    - Email on the BB sucks. You can’t edit a message when forwarding it, it doesn’t parse html and you have to manage it all through some BIS or BES interface. It’s amatuer at best.
    - 64MB built in is a joke. I’m not going to shell out another $50 for a 2 gig card…which is also a joke.
    - It’s slow. As soon as you approach 8mb remaining, the BB slows down, or worse, starts to auto delete emails, messenger and call logs
    - It’s integration with the Mac is a horrible user experience…it doesn’t even work 90% of the time. I still can’t charge my BB on my mac and I’ve had 4 models and 9 units.

    I can go on and on. It’s going to be a relief to have a solid product with a top tier operating system and a user experience that just works. Installing apps will be a cinch through itunes and mobileme syncing will allow my iphone and 2 macs to ALWAYS have the same data, and won’t require expensive and extensive exchange knowledge.

    You guys got used to no disk drive in a PC, using tiny keyboards on a PDA and you’ll get used to using a touch screen too. RIMM is scared, hence why the Thunder is coming out, but they lack the cool factor, the application support and the super easy integration Apple has.

  • mike

    Put business requirements aside, the iPhone wins in every way.

    - Web browsing experience is a true computer experience. The BB’s web browser is like using a text based browser from the 90s.
    - Email on the BB sucks. You can’t edit a message when forwarding it, it doesn’t parse html and you have to manage it all through some BIS or BES interface. It’s amatuer at best.
    - 64MB built in is a joke. I’m not going to shell out another $50 for a 2 gig card…which is also a joke.
    - It’s slow. As soon as you approach 8mb remaining, the BB slows down, or worse, starts to auto delete emails, messenger and call logs
    - It’s integration with the Mac is a horrible user experience…it doesn’t even work 90% of the time. I still can’t charge my BB on my mac and I’ve had 4 models and 9 units.

    I can go on and on. It’s going to be a relief to have a solid product with a top tier operating system and a user experience that just works. Installing apps will be a cinch through itunes and mobileme syncing will allow my iphone and 2 macs to ALWAYS have the same data, and won’t require expensive and extensive exchange knowledge.

    You guys got used to no disk drive in a PC, using tiny keyboards on a PDA and you’ll get used to using a touch screen too. RIMM is scared, hence why the Thunder is coming out, but they lack the cool factor, the application support and the super easy integration Apple has.

  • JohnC

    The Bold targets the luxury and executive market. Quite a different market then the iPhone but quite timely when you think about it.

  • JohnC

    The Bold targets the luxury and executive market. Quite a different market then the iPhone but quite timely when you think about it.

  • Ethan

    Both phones are excellent choices, but Rim is losing not only because they don’t have pricing available for the phone, they don’t have a product release date.

    I, like many others, have been reading about both of these phones for months. While my initial decision was to go with the Blackberry as it has some of the features that iPhone is lacking (cut and paste, MMS, video recording, voice dialing…), my decision is starting to sway due to impatience and frustration.

    Rim rushed to the press in May to announce the Bold in what seems to be an attempt to beat Apple to the 3g punch. But, to date, has not locked down a release date. Apple may have released the information about the 3g iPhone 1 month later, but during that release, Steve Jobs said the iPhone would be released on July 11th and lo and behold on July 11th, there was a tangible product, while in short supply, but nonetheless available.

    Based on the latest information on the rumor-mill the Bold will be released in September. Giving Apple a 3 month head start. So who trumped who. Earlier press release or earlier release date?

    I don’t find pricing to be a deterrent, but lack of a product is becoming one.

  • Ethan

    Both phones are excellent choices, but Rim is losing not only because they don’t have pricing available for the phone, they don’t have a product release date.

    I, like many others, have been reading about both of these phones for months. While my initial decision was to go with the Blackberry as it has some of the features that iPhone is lacking (cut and paste, MMS, video recording, voice dialing…), my decision is starting to sway due to impatience and frustration.

    Rim rushed to the press in May to announce the Bold in what seems to be an attempt to beat Apple to the 3g punch. But, to date, has not locked down a release date. Apple may have released the information about the 3g iPhone 1 month later, but during that release, Steve Jobs said the iPhone would be released on July 11th and lo and behold on July 11th, there was a tangible product, while in short supply, but nonetheless available.

    Based on the latest information on the rumor-mill the Bold will be released in September. Giving Apple a 3 month head start. So who trumped who. Earlier press release or earlier release date?

    I don’t find pricing to be a deterrent, but lack of a product is becoming one.