RBC: BlackBerry 7 phones wont help RIMs image; first QNX phone to be mini-PlayBook
Research In Motion will sell at least 22 million BlackBerry 7 smartphones in fiscal 2012, accounting for a minimum of 40% of its unit sales according to RBC. In a note to investors on Wednesday, RBC Capital Markets MD Mike Abramsky said that RIM will launch seven new BlackBerry 7 devices this year, representing the vendors largest product cycle ever. While the Waterloo, Ontario-based vendor will be release its new phones across more than 225 carriers around the world, Abramsky notes that consumer adoption is still a huge question mark. RBCs EPS estimates for RIMs fiscal 2012 range from $4.75 (9% below Wall Streets consensus) to $6.00 (16% above the Street) depending on user uptake and average selling prices. Regardless of performance, however, the analyst notes that BlackBerry 7 is unlikely to reverse deeply negative investor sentiment over RIMs future, pending improved visibility to success or failure of pending QNX handsets expected 2012. On QNX, Abramsky says the first smartphone to launch with RIMs OS of the future will look like a mini-PlayBook. He believes the phone will hit the market in the first quarter of calendar 2012, and it will feature a 4-inch touchscreen display, dual cameras and a dual-core processor. BGR on Tuesday reported that
RIMs first QNX phone carries the codename Colt, and current test units sport a single-core CPU though the phone may feature a dual-core processor at launch. Abramsky also notes that RIMs first QNX phone will feature a standalone email client and RIMs Android app player at launch, and these items will be available for the PlayBook in the coming months.