INTERNAL data from Canadian-owned BlackBerry (BB) indicates that the Caribbean has one million more generic phones on the Android operating system than BB.

BB, however, still leads in terms of actual brand name smartphone sales.

This means that from a software perspective, the Google-developed mobile phone software, Android, leads the region, but it is spread out on a myriad phone brands, including Samsung.

That equates to 2.7 million generic handheld devices that run on the Android software and 1.7 million for BB, according to industry data from research provider Canalys, afforded to BB and obtained by Caribbean Business Report.

The breakdown for Jamaica was not immediately available. However, BB execs said Jamaica figures would be in line with the wider region.

Importantly, BB controls three-quarters of the market for individual smartphones in the region. The next is Apple with 305,000 followed by Samsung at 110,000, according to the data set.

BB head of sales for the region, Ken Moore, said that the launch of its new Z30 would increase market share.

“Whatever position we are in, we are here to invest in Jamaica,” he said, while sipping coffee Wednesday at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston. The investment includes support services and promotions to cell providers. He said that the Z30 would appeal to the high-end market and come in at a price point similar to the Samsung S4 or roughly US$700. The phone will be available by Christmas.

Moore describes the phone as the biggest, fastest, most advanced BB smartphone. The screen is five inches and the battery life is also a selling point at over 24 hours or twice that of its Z10, he said.

“The new BlackBerry Z30 smartphone builds on the solid foundation and engaging user experience of the BB 10 platform with features like the powerful BB Hub, its exceptional touchscreen keyboard and industry-leading browser,” said Carlo Chiarello, executive vice-president for products at BlackBerry in a press release. “The smartphone rounds out the BlackBerry 10 portfolio and is designed for people looking for a smartphone that excels at communications, messaging and productivity. Having apps like the full Documents To Go suite that comes pre-installed, together with its 5″ touch display, the BlackBerry Z30 smartphone gives you a best in class productivity experience on the go.”

The new BlackBerry Z30 smartphone comes with BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.2, which includes “hundreds” of improvements.