When Blackberry launched its new Z10 flagship handset back in January, United States residents were left somewhat frustrated with the news that the device would not launch in the country until a later date. Of course, the Z10 launched in the UK the very day after that January 30th launch, it landed in Canada a few days later, and since then it has been finding its way to markets all around the world, but still in the U.S. it was a case of paying the waiting game and being patient.
The wait for the Z10 in the United States is now over. American carrier AT&T has revealed that the Blackberry Z10 is available today for pre-order on the company’s website on a 24-month contract for $199.99. AT&T, the country’s second biggest carrier says that the Z10 will be available in its numerous retail locations around the U.S. from March 22nd.
AT&T offering the Blackberry Z10 is the first time that the device has been available to general consumers in the United States, although T-Mobile did recently start offering a business specific Z10 package. There are other Z10 users in the U.S.; those who have bought the unlocked version of the handset were able to purchase the device from online retailers outside the States.
The good news for buyers looking for an unlocked Blackberry Z10 is that the Canadian company formerly known as RIM has instructed retailers to cut the cost of the device. Unlocked versions of the Z10 are now available for around $700 on many different online retailers.
Blackberry’s Z10 is its most powerful device to date, sporting a dual-core processor, 4.2-inch HD display, and an 8-megapixel rear cam. The device has received middling reviews and has sold moderately, but not at the kind of levels that Blackberry had hoped at launch.