If Carphone Warehouse is anything to go by, it appears that BlackBerry’s problem with carriers not stocking their devices is set to continue with the new Priv by BlackBerry.
Carphone Warehouse are claiming that the Priv is an exclusive, which infers that no UK carrier will be stocking it directly in high street stores.
The company has now opened up pre-orders for the device with an expected delivery date of November 6, which corresponds with what we recently reported about the Android smartphone being available in the coming weeks.
Carphone Warehouse have the device available on monthly contract with EE, Vodafone, O2 and ID, with monthly prices starting at £49 with the phone free.
It should be pointed out that the “exclusivity” refers to UK high street only, so it is possible that carriers will be stocking the device direct, but only online.
Basically this means that you will be able to order it online from carriers but if you want to try it and see the device in your hand first, you will have to visit a Carphone Warehouse store.
The price for the Priv by BlackBerry SIM-FREE is £579.99 (approx $895 US / $1,156.76 CAD).
It should be pointed out that the UK price is inclusive of VAT at 20%. If we discount the VAT, the Priv costs £464 which is roughly $716 US and $924 CAD. However, it is highly unlikely that direct currency conversions will be used for other countries pricing.
