Microsoft and Research in Motion (RIM) reportedly will keep their existing smartphone platforms, Window Phone 7 and BlackBerry 7, continuing for a while after the release of next-generation platforms by the two companies, according to industry sources.
Smartphone with Window Phone 7.x- or BlackBerry 7.x will continue to be launched targeting the entry-level and mid-range smartphone segments in 2013, revealed the sources.
Prior to the launch of Windows Phone 8 smartphones, Nokia released its low-priced WP7.5 model, the Lumia 510, for sale in India, China and other emerging markets. The Lumia 510 can be upgraded to WP7.8, the sources noted.
However, there is a risk for Microsoft and RIM in adopting such a practice, since consumers are always looking for new models. Besides, WP7.x- or BlackBerry 7.x-based models support only single-core architectures, which will be inferior to Android-based phones in terms of hardware specifications, the sources indicated.
Additionally, since Microsoft and RIM are expected to support WP7.x and BlackBerry 7.x platforms for up to only 18-24 months, the majority of consumers will consider the models transitional products, triggering a steep fall in demand for models based on old platforms, commented the sources.
Article translated by Steve Shen
