Research In Motion Ltd (BBRY)’s BlackBerry Z10 Spills Its Guts

However, BOM estimates are tough to rely on, as UBM TechInsights pegs the iPhone 5 BOM at $139, which is much lower than the $207 estimate from iSuppli last September. With the iPhone 5, the biggest discrepancy was the display and touchscreen assembly. UBM thinks Apple pays only $21.50 for it, while iSuppli estimates that part at $44.

It seems possible that UBM’s component estimates are a little low for both Apple and Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s BlackBerry.

Is it enough?
From hardware perspective, the Z10 is competitive with current flagship devices that launched in 2012. The Z10 is looking to compete with high-end devices head on, and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) Wireless is currently the only domestic carrier to announce pricing ($200 on contract).

Having solid hardware is just the first requisite though, and the Z10’s success or failure will ultimately lie within the operating system platform. BlackBerry 10 will need to sway consumers with its interface and content ecosystem for the Z10 to succeed and bring the company back from the brink. The content front is primarily where BlackBerry has some catching up to do, but at least the company knows this and is focusing its efforts there.

The article The BlackBerry Z10 Spills Its Guts originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Evan Niu, CFA.

Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, owns shares of Apple, Verizon Communications, and Qualcomm. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Google, and Qualcomm.

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