Just as we suspected, BlackBerry today has brought the new BlackBerry Z3 to Malaysia. The entry-level, all-touch BlackBerry 10 device is the first BlackBerry device to roll out of the Foxconn production line The new smartphone will be available from 7 July through authorised partners and major telcos at a price of RM699 (SRP).
The BlackBerry Z3 was initially purposed just for the Indonesian market, aptly codenamed “Jakarta.” However, BlackBerry has revealed that it will be launching the Z3 in at least half a dozen more countries including Malaysia and India (25 June).
Officiating the launch was Managing Director of IndoChina at BlackBerry, Ben Quirin, who said, “Malaysia is a key market for us and we are excited to be working with our partners to bring in the BlackBerry Z3 to customers here. This device gives users more ways to connect, share and communicate, providing the best tool for secure, reliable communications and collaboration with friends, family and co-workers. Priced affordably, the BlackBerry Z3 will extend the full capabilities of the BlackBerry 10 Operating System version 10.2.1 experience for a new generation of customers in Malaysia.”
Most affordable BlackBerry 10 OS device
The BlackBerry Z3 is by far the cheapest BlackBerry 10 device, expanding the BlackBerry portfolio which includes the flagship all-touch Z30 and Z10, as well as QWERTY keyboard-enabled Q10 and Q5.
The Z3 is solidly built, measuring 140 x 72.8 x 9.26mm and weighing just 164g. The 5-inch qHD (540 x 960) LCD GFF/Cover Glass display is pleasing if not brilliant. Packing a dual-core 1.2Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 and generous 1.5GB RAM, the device is an able performer running BlackBerry OS 10.2.1 smoothly and fluidly, on first impressions. While 8GB of storage isn’t much, there’s expandable microSD in case more storage is needed.
A modern day smartphone needs the essentials, and the Z3 has all of them – 5MP rear facing autofocus camera with flash and image stabilisation, 1.1MP front camera, A-GPS, Bluetooth 4.0 LE/EDR, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, built-in FM radio, DLNA support, Miracast, tri-band HSPA+ and quad-band GSM. The integrated 2,500mAh battery is good for 15.5 hours of 3G talktime and 16.2 days of standby.
In terms of local content, Z3 users get a special set of BBM Stickers and BBM Channels featuring local characters – Upin and Ipin (yay!). In addition, users also get access to other local BBM Channels.
Stop missing out
BlackBerry is bringing back the exciting “Stop Missing Out” campaign which gives Malaysian BlackBerry users opportunity to win fun-filled outings and activities with some of Malaysia’s top entertainers and celebrities including pop star Aizat Amdan, popular TV host Daphne Iking, radio personality Rina Omar and TV host Nazrudin Rahman.
Anyone purchasing the Z3 will be eligible for five entries into the contest while purchasers of other BlackBerry 10 phones will qualify for three entries each. Customers using BlackBerry 7 OS devices will gain one entry. To participate, users must submit their entries online by uploading a picture that shows them using their BlackBerry device. The contest will run from 14 July to 21 August 2014. www.stopmissingout.com.my
For more photos of the Z3 launch, visit Flickr.
Pricing and availability
The BlackBerry Z3 will be available for RM699 (SRP) from 7 July 2014 through BlackBerry authorised partners and major telcos.
