Research In Motion Ltd (BBRY): Is This the Very First Image of a Low-Cost R10 “Curve”?

Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) bulls have had a good 2013. The stock is up more than 25% year-to-date, and on the whole, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic toward the future. One of these “growth catalysts,” so to speak, has to do with Research In Motion/BlackBerry’s ambitious product plans. We’ve said before that key BBRY execs have been quoted as saying that “six” distinct devices are on the horizon by the end of the year, and we’ve also reported on a leaked roadmap document.

Well, drum roll please…..because this next image may be the very first photo of one of those devices on that roadmap, the BB10 R10 “Curve.” Just to note, Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) did not issue this photo, it was found on imgur (via Reddit) from the user Azr79.

So, upon first glance, this looks like a retro-themed device, and one astute commenter hit the nail on the head when they said, “I feel like I’m looking into the past.” Another user, said, “I dont understand this at all…Unless it is dramatically less expensive, then its a terrible decision.”

Lastly, the latest insight about the potential Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) device was from civilservant2011, who mentioned that possibly, “This is likely a dev unit with dummy casing on it … Just like the z10 looked awful in its dev alpha units. The casing will likely be more refined with less screen bezel … If its even real.”

With that being said, it’s important to point out a story published by Crave.Cnet earlier this morning, that says the R10 may be the “cheapest BB10 phone.”

It was also speculated that, “The purported specs of the Qwerty-packing R10 include a 1,800mAh battery and 8GB storage for your movies and music. It has slots in the side for your SIM card and microSD memory card, suggesting quick access to your SIM rather than having to pull the battery out.”

Based on the leaked roadmap, this potential device isn’t set to come out until Q2 of Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s 2014 fiscal year, after the so-called B10 and U10 devices. It’s possible that one of these two devices is the oft-rumored phablet, but generally speaking a new, lower-cost R10 (“Curve” or not) would be a huge boon for the company.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) bulls have been chiming for some time that Cupertino should introduce a low-cost iPhone to emerging market consumers, and it’s very possible that this device could be in the company’s plans. We’ve discussed before that it is rumored Apple’s lower cost phone may have a “classic” design feel, and it’s intriguing to see that possibly, Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) may be going down the same road.

Are we about to enter an age of low-cost, classic smartphones for a wider range of customers? Time will only tell, but from an investing standpoint, this is one outcome to consider.

Disclosure: none

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