Archive · 26 Jun 2025
BlackBerry's Decline: The Rise, Fall, and Strategic Missteps
BlackBerry was once the top smartphone for business people because it had a keyboard and secure email.
But it didn't change with the times.
It didn't quickly make touch screen phones like Apple's iPhone and other Android phones did, so it was too slow.
Also, BlackBerry's software wasn't as easy to use or have as many apps as Apple or Android phones.
BlackBerry also missed out because they focused on business customers, while other phones became popular for everyone to use.
They also had problems making their phones, and internal disagreements didn't help.
All of this meant people preferred other smartphones.
BlackBerry, once a smartphone leader, lost market share due to slow adaptation to touchscreen devices.
The company's reluctance to embrace touchscreen technology and its clunky operating system hindered its progress.
BlackBerry struggled to build a robust app ecosystem, limiting the functionality of its devices.
A focus on corporate clients and enterprise features limited its appeal to individual consumers.
Internal issues, strategic missteps, and outsourcing of manufacturing contributed to its decline.
- Who
- BlackBerry (formerly RIM), Apple, Samsung, and consumers.
- What
- Decline and fall of BlackBerry as a smartphone manufacturer.
- When
- Early 2000s to late 2016.
- Where
- Worldwide, particularly in the US.
- Why
- Due to technological stagnation, poor app ecosystem, focus on business clients, and strategic missteps.
Mike Lazaridis's Perspective
Jim Balsillie's Perspective
Manufacturing Quality
Mike Lazaridis's Perspective
Believed outsourcing would worsen product quality.
Jim Balsillie's Perspective
Supported by Jim Balsillie, championed outsourcing to China to cut costs.
- Original Name
- Research In Motion (RIM)
- Peak US Market Share
- 43% (January 2010)
- First Touchscreen Model
- BlackBerry Storm (2008)
- CEO Conflicts
- Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie
- Key Competitors
- Apple, Samsung
- OS Launch Lag
- BlackBerry 10 launched six years after the iPhone
- Manufacturing Shift
- Outsourcing to China
- Exit from Hardware
- December 2016