When Did BlackBerry Phone Production Come to an End

BlackBerry phone production came to an end in 2020. The company announced that it would be stopping production of its physical keyboards and transitioning to a software-only business model.

The last BlackBerry phone with a physical keyboard was the KEY2, released in 2018. It was a flagship device that aimed to revive the popularity of BlackBerry's iconic keyboard.

The KEY2 was a solid effort, but it ultimately failed to gain significant traction in the market. BlackBerry's sales had been declining steadily since 2016.

By 2020, it was clear that BlackBerry's phone business was no longer viable.

Suggestion: Blackberry Cobbler

BlackBerry, the company that once dominated smart mobile devices, has finally discontinued key services that support its phones. This means that as of today, the phones will no longer be provided with provisioning services.

The phones will gradually lose the ability to join networks, including the cellular network. This will eventually render them useless for data, phone calls, SMS, and 9-1-1 functionality.

A fresh viewpoint: Why Cellphone Is Important

BlackBerry once ruled the smartphone market with its keyboard-based hardware, widely adopted in corporate settings for its high levels of security and control. The company's leadership was blindsided by the iPhone's popularity.

The last version of the BlackBerry OS it released dates back to 2013, so the devices affected here are now extremely old. The promised period of support actually ended over a year ago.

The effect of the end of support is detailed on an FAQ page that the former device maker is hosting. Provisioning information provides details on how the devices should establish connections with different types of networking equipment.

BlackBerry will no longer be sending out provisioning updates to these devices. This means that at some indeterminate point in the future, networking updates made by service providers will mean that the BlackBerry devices can no longer connect.

The number of people likely to be affected by this is vanishingly small. Still, it serves as a clear marker of the end of what was once a very significant technology.

The impact of BlackBerry stopping phone production was significant. BlackBerry's market share plummeted from 47% in 2009 to just 1% in 2013.

Many employees lost their jobs as a result of the company's shift in focus. BlackBerry laid off thousands of workers between 2010 and 2012.

The company's stock price suffered greatly, falling from a high of $240 in 2008 to just $6.50 in 2013. This decline in value had a ripple effect on investors and the overall market.

BlackBerry's decision to stop making phones also had a negative impact on the company's reputation. The brand, once synonymous with security and innovation, became a cautionary tale of failed innovation.

The loss of BlackBerry's market share also led to a decline in sales of its other products, such as its tablets and software. This decline in sales further exacerbated the company's financial struggles.