<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-06-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000918946</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BRIGHTPOINT INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CELL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001205976</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ROEDEL RICHARD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BRIGHTPOINT, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>501 AIRTECH PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PLAINFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>46168</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-06-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>940</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6906</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These are shares of restricted stock that were granted as Elective Awards pursuant to the Registrant's Amended and Restated Independent Director Stock Compensation Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;).  The number of shares received as Elective Awards includes shares issued as additional equity compensation as explained more fully in the Registrant's Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2004.  The shares vest immediately, and are subject to a restriction on sale or transfer until the earlier of (i) the date the value of the director's common stock is equal to or greater than 200% of the director's Board Compensation (as defined in the Plan and determined as of December 15 for the ensuing year), or (ii) six months after the director ceases to be a director of the Registrant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Steven E. Fivel, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-06-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
