Blackberry launches “Swap and Switch” campaign

CEBU, Philippines - After introducing its newest platform and most recent smartphone models for the global market, Blackberry launches its Swap and Switch nationwide campaign to make its latest units easier to trade-up and more accessible to the Filipino market.

From June 28 to September 1, one can go to any of the over 300 participating stores in the country to swap his working or non-working mobile phone and switch it to a brand-new BlackBerry smartphone.

After having it evaluated, the estimate trade-in value of the phone will then be deducted from the cost of the BlackBerry smartphone model he wishes to purchase.

“This is a great opportunity for Filipinos to join the BlackBerry Barkada. With the Swap and Switch campaign, we are making it easier for Filipinos to experience our latest BlackBerry smartphones available today,” BlackBerry Philippines and Singapore managing director Cameron Vernest said.

He said in the company’s recent press statement that the Swap and Switch nationwide campaign includes its newest BlackBerry 10 devices such as the all-touch BlackBerry Z10, the touch-and-type BlackBerry Q10 and the BlackBerry 7 line-up.

The BlackBerry Q10 smartphone, the first BlackBerry 10 smartphone to feature a classic BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard, could be swapped at P31,990 less the trade-in value of the mobile phone while the sleek BlackBerry Z10 at P29,990 could be exchanged after deducting P2,000 and the trade-in value of the swapped mobile phone.

The BlackBerry Curve 9320 will now be offered at P8,990 less P1,000 and the trade-in value of the swapped mobile phone while the BlackBerry Curve 9220 at P6,990 could be switched with a deduction of P1,000 and the trade-in value of the swapped mobile phone.

It was just last month that BlackBerry officials launched the BlackBerry Q10 in the Cebu market. It was also in January that the company had its global unveiling of the reengineered Blackberry 10 platform and officially introduced it in the Philippine market last March along with the launching of the BlackBerry Z10 as the first model powered by the new operating system.

Even with the negative issues of Blackberry lagging behind in the smartphone industry, the company remains bullish to sustain its growth in the market with its latest smartphone products and reinvented platform intended for its increasing fan base.

In an earlier interview with Blackberry Asia Pacific senior business manager Kristian Salvo, he admitted that they are not affected with the rumors but are rather challenged to improve further.

He also confirmed the reports stating that the company’s popular messaging service, the Blackberry Messenger, will be launched on iOS and Android in order to introduce its BBM instant messaging service to a wider market.

He revealed that another model powered with the Blackberry 10 platform, the Blackberry Q5, will be launched in the Philippines anytime within this year. /JOB (FREEMAN)