BlackBerry fans in the UK are lining up for the BlackBerry Z10

BlackBerry fans in the UK are the first to be able to purchase a BlackBerry Z10, and they turned out in droves today.

By Adam Zeis on 31 Jan 2013 12:04 pm

As you can see in the image above from @FrancePalopoli on Twitter, there were plenty of fans ready to wait in line to get their hands on a new BlackBerry Z10 (and to see Pixi Lott who was making an appearance at this store of course) first thing this morning. This image is from a Phones 4U store and from the looks of it the turnout was pretty amazing.

The UK is the first to get the Z10 as it heads to carriers and stores like O2, Vodafone, Phones 4U, Carephone Warehouse and many others. They do get a bit of a head start as the Z10 won't hit next until it lands in Canada on February 5th. You can see the full list of carrier availability here.

Are you in the UK and picked up (or are planning to) a BlackBerry Z10? Hit up the forums and let us know!

Discuss more in the CrackBerry forums

Topics: UK BlackBerry 10 BlackBerry Z10 Phones 4U News & Rumors International News

Adam Zeis 3031 (articles) 2790 (forum posts)

102 comments

dbarz Jan 31, 2013 at 12:14 pm

wow.... I wish I was in that line!!!

jinxednuance Jan 31, 2013 at 12:31 pm

me too :(

bbfanboi Jan 31, 2013 at 4:30 pm

Kudos to Thorsten and the gang for making BlackBerry cool again! This is exciting!!!!

imcurved Feb 1, 2013 at 2:43 am

me three :(
TMO_9000_32GB_PB

AlKuqo Jan 31, 2013 at 12:41 pm

Does anyone know if we can buy the phone directly from RIMM....ooopps I mean BlackBerry?
Like maybe from their website?
Apple allows you too... I am wondering if we can instead of waiting until March if we are willing to pay full price for it.

jcpallitto Jan 31, 2013 at 1:58 pm

Why dont you go to www.blackberry.com and see instead of commenting on every single post on crackberry asking the same thing?

Bobert_123 Jan 31, 2013 at 6:20 pm

U MAD BRO?

Jimcmf Jan 31, 2013 at 8:43 pm

If you need one now, go to EBay. People are paying thousands for these phones.

iwasspartacus Jan 31, 2013 at 10:42 pm

Well, you've heard of cross border shopping right? Just get it delivered to your American address or ask who is visiting Canada soon (I work on a project where half the consultants fly home to the U.S. every Thursday afternoon ... I'm in Calgary - going to play with a Z10 next week at BestBuy... Yay!!!!).

FTW Bb10

Bob G Jan 31, 2013 at 1:00 pm

I wonder how many of those in line are imposters (from the USA) ;)

edyb Jan 31, 2013 at 3:22 pm

I am sure someone could make a good buck if they buy phones outside contract and sell them directly to the USA market early. However, would they work?

Could Canadians buy phones, ship to USA through eBay sales and with a simple SIM swap have it work for a person in the USA? Are the radio frequency bands the same? Would all carriers work or only certain carriers?

There may be some people in the USA willing to pay $1000 for the phone, so if you buy here for $700-800 and ship it, you can make a $200 profit for each one.

edyb Feb 2, 2013 at 7:33 pm

I am sure someone could make a good buck if they buy phones outside contract and sell them directly to the USA market early. However, would they work?

There may be some people in the USA willing to pay $1000 for the phone, so if you buy here for $700-800 and ship it, you can make a $200 profit for each one.

Jake Storm Jan 31, 2013 at 2:30 pm

Nice to see.
I'm glad it's launching in the UK first. It's a nice reward to the loyal fan base there (much more loyal than the U.S.)

iwasspartacus Jan 31, 2013 at 10:47 pm

B.I.N.G.O.

It's why the U.S. is one of last to receive phones, it's going to be an uphill battle - nothing like a month of traction GLOBALLY to generate some buzz and build anticipation for our Yankee friends.

framos242 Jan 31, 2013 at 12:17 pm

I'm so jealous of the UK addicts...

koolrosh Jan 31, 2013 at 12:17 pm

Do they have enough phones for all those people?

DCMMID Jan 31, 2013 at 12:17 pm

The momentum from this early availability would have been a good going into a US release ... if ... the US release was in 2 weeks.

DCMMID Jan 31, 2013 at 12:18 pm

Whats up with all the fur ... ?

312 Jan 31, 2013 at 12:24 pm

It's winter...

sjwright Jan 31, 2013 at 12:31 pm

Touche!

MC_A_DOT Feb 1, 2013 at 3:56 am

+10 it's freezing over here

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:31 pm

Yes...they like their fur. Nice!

bb624 Jan 31, 2013 at 12:20 pm

wish we had lines here in the US now....who knows what 2 months will bring.

jelp2 Jan 31, 2013 at 1:06 pm

It will bring tumble weeds and cob webs. :(

stevejb Jan 31, 2013 at 1:11 pm

I'd say due the reported lack of interest in BB anymore in the US, there wouldn't be lines.

Which is probably why UK get the release first and NA have to wait.

W Hoa Jan 31, 2013 at 2:15 pm

Not all of NA has to wait. Just the US part. And to be technically correct the Mexico part too.

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:34 pm

When your media had a ball over trashing RIM all these years, and then not first on the list we have sour grapes?

neteng1000 Jan 31, 2013 at 12:21 pm

I would love to hear the reports of the phone being sold out on day 1 :)

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:35 pm

more than the numbers, I want to get real consumer feed back...not biased crap like on engadget.

Jimcmf Jan 31, 2013 at 8:45 pm

I wonder if every store had a line up like that?

You can get it from ebay for about $1,500.00

LeeChung94 Jan 31, 2013 at 12:22 pm

wow I want to be here now .....

Innerchild Jan 31, 2013 at 12:23 pm

Love seeing that enthusiasm. Hopefully by March there will be lots of interest and demand for the Z10 here in the U.S.

W Hoa Jan 31, 2013 at 2:16 pm

And less fur.

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:36 pm

Really....whats wrong with fur?

bitek Jan 31, 2013 at 12:24 pm

Apple should be worried now.

grnrprl Jan 31, 2013 at 12:25 pm

Where was it and what for? I went today to one of Carphones to have a look at Z10. First of all there was no queue. They had two dummy Z10: black and white. They looked like a plastic toys! Is it true the back of original Z10 is plastic and looks almost like the one of LG L3 for £49.00?

MikeGS Jan 31, 2013 at 12:28 pm

The Dummy units are not a patch on the actual units. Handled a couple today for 10 minutes and they feel great in the hand. Although they use plastic in the build they feel sturdy. Compared to the GS3, one in each hand, there is no comparison. The soft touch back is sublime, I wanted to rub my face on it!

grnrprl Jan 31, 2013 at 1:20 pm

I'm sad because I was expecting something like PlayBook's rubber. I like it very much.

Abrante Jan 31, 2013 at 12:29 pm

"They looked like a plastic toys", what were you expecting the screen to turn on and off? You know there's a reason why they are called dummy phones right?

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:38 pm

No he doesn't because he is a dummy!

Abrante Jan 31, 2013 at 12:30 pm

-Double entry-

grnrprl Jan 31, 2013 at 12:44 pm

Please, read my question - it relates to the battery cover of the Z10. I love the one from 9780 or even 9860.

Abrante Jan 31, 2013 at 12:48 pm

I see. I did like the 9780 door too. But, lets face it, most people put "phone condoms" most of the time. so the feel might not mean much to the average user.

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:39 pm

yes if you have an iphone.....i want a phone that is tough and no dummy cover....they are completely stupid.

MikeGS Jan 31, 2013 at 12:25 pm

Picked up three Z10's today from Phones4U. Not for me though :-(

Vodafone wouldn't sell them without a NEW contract. Ridiculous.

Jimcmf Jan 31, 2013 at 8:46 pm

Mike - How much did you pay? Did you wait in line at all?

cgk Jan 31, 2013 at 12:35 pm

What this article 'forgets' to mention is that the store in question had an appearance from Pixi Lotte (Popular singer in the UK) and they were giving playbooks out to the first 250 purchases - even Phone4u where the picture comes from titled it

"Queuing to see Pixie at the launch of the @UK_BlackBerry in white on Oxford St London"

So anyone got any pictures of queues where there are no celebrity appearances?

Anyone got one of those and we have something to talk about....

EDIT: The article has been edited to include the Pixi Lotte appearance - so no I didn't miss it when I read it.

revtech Jan 31, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Thanks for the wet blanket . . Because we know that certainly no one else would stoop so low as to try marketing a product using local celebrities

QC_Al Jan 31, 2013 at 2:15 pm

Hi, huge BB fan and supporter here. However I do somewhat agree. I want to see what's going on at the stores without celebrity appearances and freebies being handed out. Just sayin'. I WILL be getting mine next week in Canada though eh!

randall2580 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:40 pm

The implication of this picture, without a mention of the give away or the celebrity, is that this is representative of all the UK stores selling BB10 today. The question is, is that a fair representation? There are enough CrackBerrians who are in the UK to tell us their anecdotal evidence at the local stores around the Country.

I have bought most every major BB release on launch day here in the States (I got the 9810 instead of the 9900) and I have never had to wait on a line except the normal cue at the local AT&T Corp store so if I had to wait on a line like this - you bet I would report it here.

Just Me Feb 1, 2013 at 2:02 pm

I'm a big BB fan but there is not a chance I would ever wait in line to pay for a new phone. I would just come back the next day. I'll leave the lining up for the people who enjoy that kind of thing. In the meantime I'll be Skiing.

HasKam Jan 31, 2013 at 12:30 pm

Got mine yesterday at the launch, and i really love it. took me a while to get used to navigating around, but its almost second nature now.

you guys wont be disappointed when you get your hands on it.

Only complaint is the apps, which are not that great. but as we have heard, some big names are coming very soon.

Oh and the micro sim is a pain. took forever to get my numbers on it.

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:41 pm

Don't care about Apps.....how is the browser performing? How is the stability?

uzmarvel Jan 31, 2013 at 6:24 pm

Browser is the best in its class. See youtube comparisons, they're not even final hardware

Jimcmf Jan 31, 2013 at 8:49 pm

Is it easy to swipe ....or do you have to do it twice?

Jimcmf Jan 31, 2013 at 8:50 pm

Is it easy to swipe ....or do you have to do it twice?

Rob Robertson Jan 31, 2013 at 12:31 pm

Never thought I'd see the day....

BlackBerries are typically available at too many locations for this to happen.

justcurious#WN Jan 31, 2013 at 12:35 pm

So do BlackBerry fans get to be called "sheep" now?

luc aubuchon Jan 31, 2013 at 12:40 pm

I guess so haha On a serious note, it is a shame that a Canadian Company distribute their phone in a different country on the opening day.

bbfanboi Jan 31, 2013 at 4:31 pm

Unfortunately, the carriers rule. They own the networks.

revtech Jan 31, 2013 at 12:45 pm

Guess that would be Black Sheep then ;)

aloofkid Jan 31, 2013 at 1:47 pm

Nah I prefer to be called as a black horse.

koool1 Jan 31, 2013 at 12:39 pm

I so wish I had one today.

The wait continues...

luc aubuchon Jan 31, 2013 at 12:41 pm

Anyone knows when the update will come for the Playbook ? This is what I'm waiting for right now.

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:43 pm

Agree....If we had BB10 on our playbook and bridged our old Bold 9000 as I am doing now, wouldn't need a BB10 phone....seriously that is why I think they will delay the BB10 software for the playbook.

Fucking Asshole Jan 31, 2013 at 12:49 pm

Why do people buy products when they first come out? If I was going to buy this phone I would wait at least 6 months or at least until the first update. No way would I buy this the day after launch.

Besides, anyone who stands in long lines like in the photo to buy a phone clearly has nothing else to do.

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:44 pm

If you live in the States you will get your way.....just kidding....lol

redk Jan 31, 2013 at 12:50 pm

Let me see the samsung folks come by and do one of their little samsung beam connections ;)

Jonesy1966 Jan 31, 2013 at 12:59 pm

Um, who's Pixi Lotte?

AtomicFrost Jan 31, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Sounds like she is some pop singer in the UK. However, it looks like her last name is spelled without the e?

I hope that the Z10 sells well in Europe. A third solid competing OS in the smartphone market will help push more innovation in the marketplace. :)

cbdwolff7 Jan 31, 2013 at 1:16 pm

Big Mistake not having it available in US!! Stock down, 2 of my friends heading to other devices. Can"t seem to WAIT any longer. They are starting to use it as RIMM's (Blackberry) middle name. WAIT WAIT WAIT!! It is very frustrating.

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:54 pm

Stock is down due to profit taking.....i will watch for the bottom, buy back in and make more easy money.....as for your 2 friends, their short sightedness will come back to haunt them......they will have to wait even longer for their new contracts to expire so they can get the phone everyone is going to want....PS....don't let them drool all over yours.....lol.

jimmychen17 Jan 31, 2013 at 1:19 pm

Can anyone confirm if the Z10 supports ActiveSync? i.e., I can get Outlook emails just like my old iPhone but without the enterprise plan -

I don't seem to find any 'official' info on BlackBerry's web site - and have to dig through forums .....

br14 Jan 31, 2013 at 1:56 pm

Believe I read a review saying ActiveSync is supported (might even be the default for non-corporate).

pmccartney Jan 31, 2013 at 4:09 pm

Yes absolutely 100%. Activesync and or BES10

tw_ Jan 31, 2013 at 7:08 pm

Yes, the Z10 supports ActiveSync. No enterprise plan needed. I can confirm that.

AdamCockley Jan 31, 2013 at 1:22 pm

I'm located in the UK and I have excited that Z10s was realising today but looked online and they are only selling the black ones, the white is coming out on the 18th Feb!! So gutted. Feel sorrow to the folks in The US.

Like to note that there's a good deal with o2 unlimited Mins&Texts 1GB data for £26pm £99 upfront cost!

beemaabeemababy Jan 31, 2013 at 1:33 pm

Phones4u have exclusivity on the white Z10 for now. That's why you can't get it anywhere else. And that's why I called them at 9am this morning (when their upgrades lines opened) to have my new white BlackBerry delivered. I would have done the trek to London for the chance to get another 64gb PlayBook, but I have work!

jocu Jan 31, 2013 at 3:33 pm

Just checked the O2.co.uk website as this deal seemed too good to be true! The upfront cost is listed as £199, not £99 - perhaps it was a mis-print that was later corrected!

beemaabeemababy Jan 31, 2013 at 5:12 pm

I managed to get the phone for free on an upgrade. Unlimited minutes and texts, 1GB data, 2gb wifi hotspot access on a 24 month contract. All for £37/month. Not much data, I know. But I'm always in a wifi area these days.

djrupey Jan 31, 2013 at 1:36 pm

My BlackBerry experience is just over four years, Storm only, and two Playbooks. The PlayBooks are fantastic and gave me confidence that BB10 would be a great OS, although I had no illusions about it being perfect from day one.

So here in the UK I ordered from Vodafone at 9.30am this morning online. There was some confusion about my details even though I have been a Vodafone customer for 25 years! Anyway, my order had to be cancelled and then re-entered at about 3pm, by which time they had apparently sold out. I began to despair. But at last I was put through to someone who I assume was a manager and he could not have been more helpful. He said that they would hopefully be showing stock again in 30 mins, and assured me that if that was the case I'd have my Z10 tomorrow (Friday 1st Feb). If not, it would be Monday.

Needless to say I am beside myself with excitement. It has been a long two-year wait since my Storm 1 contract expired, so I went on a SIM-only contract while I waited patiently for BB10. I did not want to get tied into an OS 7 phone as it would have delayed my experience of what I came to see as a major, quantum leap forward for PlackBerry phones. Besides, my Storm had finally come good and was giving reliable service. I decided that I did not want to start all over again with a different ecosystem even though iPhone and Samsung seemed all the rage.

So, all being well, tomorrow I will be a BB Z10 person at last. It's been a long, long wait. Whether it is tomorrow or Monday, I will start a diary thread about my Z10 experience so that those yet to receive theirs will have some idea of what to expect, from the perspective of an ordinary non-techie user.

beemaabeemababy Jan 31, 2013 at 1:37 pm

During my 9am call to phones4u this morning, the lady told me that she had 30 callers in the queue by about 9:15. By 9:30 when my upgrade was finalised, she told me that there were now 50 people in the queue! Seems like a strong demand first thing in the morning!

drummer_god Jan 31, 2013 at 1:41 pm

nice.

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:56 pm

God's speed my friend!

ksean007 Jan 31, 2013 at 4:06 pm

Just like me i should be receiving my Z10 tomorrow I received a text saying it was dispatched today, and like yourself I'll keep a working diary of how things are..I've had both storms and the 9800 so this is a major step up for all of us good luck by the way.

TommiTommi Jan 31, 2013 at 2:08 pm

Went in to a Phones4U in London this morning at about 11:30. I asked about BB10 and the chap gave me a demo unit to try. I think it is great - genuinely different interface, brilliant keypad (the best virtual one I have ever used) and competitive pricing.

My contract is up in June for my 9105, I will be getting either the Z10 or Q10 in its place! (BTW there was no queue or crowd there- but that might have been earlier!)

TommiTommi Jan 31, 2013 at 2:14 pm

Pixie Lott is a pretty decent singer and well known here in the UK. One of her best songs 'All About Tonight' is great - in the video she uses a phone - but not a Blackberry!

Playbook007 Jan 31, 2013 at 2:59 pm

I am glad that the UK received their phones today.....nice to see some chaps who can actually type the english language......way to go mates!

ksean007 Jan 31, 2013 at 4:00 pm

Hi everyone I'm really sorry to hear of the USA delays, I used to live in NY for around 24 years and became a fan of blackberry quite a few years ago and now that I'm back in the UK and have been. With O2. For ages I was quite surprised at how they kept the release date hush hush..today I received a text to say the BB Z10 was available so I logged on to my account and within 5 minutes they sent a message saying it was dispatched and i should be receiving it tomorrow...my plan is on contract for 24 months and the phone is free @ £36 a month I will keep everyone in the loop. With my verdict but it looks damn good so far..here's hoping they speed things up so you can experience the new BlackBerry.

twidget2iwo Jan 31, 2013 at 4:18 pm

Luckily I didn't have to wait in line at all in Harrogate. Both Phones4U and Vodafone had a few in stock, and no one was queuing to get one.

I LOVE MY 10!!!

DuexNoir Jan 31, 2013 at 4:41 pm

Awesome fansmanship BB UK!! I can't wait to be able to join you guys next week on the 5th with my own Z10!

~I am BlackBerry by choice~

BernFlo Jan 31, 2013 at 5:56 pm

I am very happy for all of you who are now proud owners of BB10's and for all of you in Canada who will have one soon. For all of us in the US, stay strong, our day will come.

world traveler and former ceo Jan 31, 2013 at 7:05 pm

awsome! ... Canadians will be getting theirs Monday or Tuesday!!! .... bb10!

Jackson15 Jan 31, 2013 at 7:13 pm

Hi everyone. Bought mine on EE today. £28.50/month over 24 months for 1000 texts and minutes and 1 gb of data. Then 50 for the phone. It is being delivered tomorrow! When I called in I was told a lot of people were ordering it. I then played around with the phone at the EE shop. The sales rep was very excited and I have to say that the phone felt and looked great.. Compared it in the hand with iPhone and Samsung. Looking forward to it!

slagman5 Jan 31, 2013 at 8:11 pm

Gives me some hope. I always wonder why people would line up for a stupid phone like the iPhone, but seeing that people are excited for a phone that's actually innovative makes more sense to me...

Jimcmf Jan 31, 2013 at 8:55 pm

We need more line ups !!!!

Everyone .... PLEASE go get one. We can BBM together.

bovcrx Jan 31, 2013 at 11:10 pm

Any Brits wanna trade for a note 2?

ofutur Feb 1, 2013 at 5:37 am

OMG, look at all the chavs and hipsters leaving iOS :D

oufc_gav Feb 1, 2013 at 8:59 am

OK, so that one shop had people outside because Pixie Lott was inside. Didn't happen in my city,in the morning I walk past 7 mobile phone shops on the way to work (at about 9am when they open). No-one was paying the slightest interest. i went into Phones4U on the way home, and had a look at a unit, spoke to a sales guy and asked about interest, and he said I was the first that had gone to the display all day (this was at 5.15pm).

gordonthebull Feb 1, 2013 at 11:36 am

what city are you in and are the stores in the quieter side of town?

GoustiFruit Feb 1, 2013 at 9:53 am

But why are they all wearing white ??? White is the fashion in UK ?

Rootbrian Feb 4, 2013 at 5:58 am

I can't wait to get the q10 from windmobile, I'll be in line for that thing!!!!!

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