BlackBerry Priv Release Date Specific To T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint Confirmed

Android-powered "BlackBerry Priv" with a physical QWERTY keyboard is headed to Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile. It’s worth noting that AT&T and BlackBerry’s official Website already offer this flagship device in the U.S.

T-Mobile will apparently start selling the Priv from Jan. 26 onwards, while Verizon will offer the device towards the end of March. However, there’s no official release date available specific to Sprint.

In the case of Canada, the Priv is already available via Rogers, Bell and TELUS. Vodafone U.K., on the other hand, started selling the Priv from Jan. 06. Not to forget, the Canadian tech giant recently promised that a total of 31 countries will be seeing the Priv shortly.

Speaking of price, AT&T is now selling the BlackBerry Priv for $699, without any contract. As of today, there’s no price difference anticipated between the carriers in the U.S.

But then, not long ago, CEO John Chen spoke about a possible reduction of price in 2016 -- “In about Mobile World Congress time, we will see introduction of new technology from our competitors.” “We have may be a midlife kicker coming in around that time, but I expect ourselves to have to reduce our price to be competitive,” he added further. Notably, the MWC 2016 event has been scheduled between Feb. 22 and Feb. 25.

Meanwhile, CNet says, Chen confirmed at a CES interview in Las Vegas that, the Priv is doing well with regard to sales. In his own words: "So far, so good … I'm taking a cautiously optimistic view.”

A couple of weeks back, the CEO acknowledged that the company will make Android devices only after gauging Priv’s reception. Thanks to the strong sales, BlackBerry will apparently be releasing one or two Android-powered devices in the near future.