Formerly an exclusive device for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have both launched the Blackberry Priv, the first Android-based device of the smartphone manufacturer. T-Mobile began to offer the device in January, followed by Verizon in March.
In addition to being powered by Google's mobile operating system, the smartphone features a 5.4-inch dual-curved edge quad-HD display, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor and 3 GB of RAM.
Along with T-Mobile and Verizon, Sprint pledged that it will be offering the device to its customers. However, it seems that the carrier is not following through on its earlier promise.
Previously, Sprint subscribers that have contacted the carrier through various channels were told that the BlackBerry Priv will be offered soon, with no definite dates being mentioned. However, multiple representatives across various channels are now saying that the smartphone will not be offered by the carrier.
In a post on the official Sprint online community forum, users said that they received messages from Sprint representatives that said that the carrier will no longer be offering the BlackBerry Priv.
Sprint Care, the carrier's official social customer service account, also said the same on Twitter.
@CU4ABeer Sorry to say but we will no longer carry the BlackBerry PRIV. If this changes in the future we will update customers. JXC
— Sprint Care (@sprintcare) April 8, 2016
As to what caused Sprint to back out from its earlier commitment to carry the smartphone, the reason might have something to do with the fact that the BlackBerry Priv has not seen much success despite the initial hype surrounding the device.
BlackBerry has since admitted that it priced the smartphone too high for enterprise customers, with the company still struggling to sell the device despite a permanent price cut of $50 to take the BlackBerry Priv's price tag from $700 to $650. Enterprise customers have told the company that a $400 device would draw more interest.
BlackBerry is now looking to bounce back through the pending announcement of two mid-range devices within the year. One of the devices will have the physical keyboard that is a trademark feature of BlackBerry devices, while the other one will have a full touchscreen.
