Rumor has it two more Android-based BlackBerry phones are on the way — and they will be cheaper than the Priv.
The National recently spoke to BlackBerry Chief Executive John Chen, who said the Canadian smartphone maker is planning to launch a pair of midrange Android handsets this year. One will have a physical keyboard and the other will sport a full touch screen, according to the report.
At this point, that's pretty much all we know about these upcoming phones. There's no word on availability or exact pricing, but both handsets will be easier on the wallet than the $700 Priv, which Chen admitted was a little overpriced for enterprises.
"The fact that we came out with a high-end phone [as our first Android device] was probably not as wise as it should have been," Chen reportedly said. "A lot of enterprise customers have said to us, 'I want to buy your phone but $700 is a little too steep for me. I'm more interested in a $400 device.'"
As for its own mobile operating system, Chen said that BlackBerry will continue to release updates for BB10, but has no plans to launch any new devices running the software. Meanwhile, Chen once again said that if the company doesn't start profiting on its mobile devices soon, it may exit the handset business altogether to focus on its software services.
"Since I started at the company [in November 2013] I've been saying I'll make the handset business profitable," Chen reportedly told The National. "If I can't make it profitable because the market won't let me, then I'll get out of the handset business. I love our handset business, but we need to make money."