BlackBerry kind of got left behind while competitors like Apple and Google took the lion's share of the consumer smartphone market. Still, the company is hoping its new line of devices will change the its fortunes. The first BB10 phone, the Z10, has since gone on sale in the UK and Canada and enjoyed a rather successful launch in both countries. Still, it's not expected to launch in the United States until March.
However, it seems one carrier will be selling the Z10 long before then. MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) Solavei today announced that it would be selling the Z10 in the United States starting today. That's right, the company is partnering with GSM Nation to bring die-hard BlackBerry fans the Z10 more than a month early.
"Solavei, an affordable contract-free mobile service provider, today announces the advanced availability exclusively to its members for immediate purchase of the Blackberry Z10 through its retail partner GSM Nation," said Solavei in a release dated today. "Solavei Members can be the first to own the newest Blackberry handset before any other carrier or MVNO in the U.S."
Solavei offers customers unlimited text, voice and data for $49 and runs on T-Mobile's network. Unfortunately, if you want a Z10, you'll have to pay a hefty premium. GSM Nation has the device listed for $999 on Solavei's network. Ouch. Still, desperate times call for desperate measures and waiting six weeks for a widespread U.S. launch could constitute desperate times for some BlackBerry fans.
The Z10 packs a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU, a 4.2-inch display, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of on board storage, an 8-megapixel camera in the back, a 2-megapixel camera up front. Be sure to check out our live blog of the event, as well as our unboxing, and our first impressions of the device.
A Brief Look at the Technical Specs of BlackBerry Z10, Q10
BB10 Interview With the QNX Boss of BlackBerry OS
Check out our hands-on with BlackBerry 10 on the Z10.
Interview With the BlackBerry Z10, Q10 Industrial Designer
A Complete Video Walkthrough of BlackBerry 10 OS