BlackBerry Storm 9530 for Verizon gets boxed

by Chris Ziegler, posted Aug 27th 2008 at 9:59PM

So we might not have a physical device here, but these packaging renderings are pretty solid evidence of exactly what BlackBerry fans on Verizon -- particularly those jealous of the Bold -- can expect in a few weeks' time. It looks like RIM's first foray into the scary world of touchscreens will be officially branded the 9530 Storm, will be global (it includes a SIM card, after all), and will feature an 8GB SanDisk microSD card preinstalled. Wondering what happened to the Thunder name? Turns out that'll apparently be reserved for the version of the phone launching on Rogers up in Canada and on Vodafone across the pond. Those Storm users on the screen there sure look happy, don't they?

Gallery: BlackBerry Storm 9350 for Verizon gets boxed

Filed under: Handsets, RIM, Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, Rogers Wireless, GSM, EDGE, EV-DO, HSDPA, UMTS, CDMA

Tags: 9350, 9500, blackberry, rim, rogers, rogers wireless, RogersWireless, storm, thunder, verizon, verizon wireless, VerizonWireless, vodafone, vzw

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Lowest Ranked

Jack @ Aug 27th 2008 10:33PM

FINALLY MY FIRST TIME BEING FIRST!!! lol jk

But...

Will it have wi-fi! VZW's data plan prices are absurb!

Highest Ranked

dbs @ Aug 27th 2008 11:01PM

Uh, if I'm not mistaken, 30 dollars for BIS and 45 dollars for BIS and BES is pretty standard (or at least what AT&T charges). Hell, even the iPhone data plan costs 30.

Neutral

sip @ Aug 27th 2008 11:02PM

This is what I am wondering also. I read some other posts to find out but they confuse and anger me. When will vzw just get the touch diamond? I don't care if it's a little sluggish, I just want me some damn wi-fi action.

Neutral

Ry @ Aug 28th 2008 2:04AM

Yeah. VZW should let more devices with WiFi on it's network. This will all change once VZW "opens" their network, but having WiFi devices would not hurt business if they made data plans mandatory like AT&T and Apple do with the iPhone.

Neutral

kevinm @ Aug 28th 2008 12:18PM

VZW has a problem with shoving their services down your throat.

Highly Ranked

M @ Aug 30th 2008 1:09PM

My feeling is that that the Verizon version (Storm) is not called the Thunder because the Storm will lack wifi, while the Canadian and European Thunders will have wifi

Hence the name differences.

Neutral

sinai @ Sep 14th 2008 11:52PM

costs the same as iphone, but is _faster_ without all those frequent outages. AND better cellular reception overall.

Neutral

Jay84Virgo @ Aug 27th 2008 10:46PM

2nd!

This is PISSIN me off! T-Mobile better get with it...soon!

Highly Ranked

JT @ Aug 28th 2008 12:38PM

I know what you mean, I love T-Mobile service but I hate there phone line-up.

Neutral

thejfed @ Aug 27th 2008 10:52PM

of course it wont have wifi. It'll be using vzw's data...i'd put money on that.

Highly Ranked

Sofunnytom @ Aug 28th 2008 12:26AM

i believe 2 of vzw winmo phones have wi-fi. the i760 and the xv6800

Neutral

Dan @ Oct 9th 2008 1:29PM

its not VZW's data they are using. Its the blackberry's server that cost's you, for either bis or bes server access and web.

Highly Ranked

Oysterhead @ Aug 27th 2008 11:15PM

So we've gone from knowing zilch to a launch in a few weeks??? I have my doubts!

Neutral

Danny @ Aug 27th 2008 11:35PM

I'm sure 8GB of pre-installed flash memory would suffice for 98% of users out there, but the other 2% are sure to make a fuss over this.

Too bad this doesn't support the 1700 MHz AWS band for T-Mobile.

Neutral

Anon @ Aug 27th 2008 11:39PM

Finally some news on this guy, i'm surprised RIM or vzw isn't promoting it like hell since its supposed to be the iphone killer for vzw. Yea I doubt it will have WiFi, wifi is so not verizon-which is a shame. Man, either there will be some huge announcement soon or the rumored date is wrong. And who gives a damn what the name is, i just want the phone! Hopefully its decent, cant wait til someone gets hands on.

Neutral

togetsome@gmail.com @ Aug 27th 2008 11:39PM

VZW data is $29.99 for personal email and unlimited data which is in line with average american prices (i.e. iPhone). You're a tard Jack

T-Mo isn't getting this. US Exclusive. Check out previous information regarding "Thunder"

Shouldn't there be a pre-requisite to posting on engadget or boy genius?

Neutral

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Aug 28th 2008 1:56AM

if its $30, then why am i paying like $45 a month for the features you just described on Verizon. i would say i've been jipped if thats the case.

Neutral

LessthanZach @ Aug 28th 2008 2:29AM

the reason you pay more is because the "Email and Web" plan, which includes 5GB of data and personal email, is new and does not support corporate email like the 45 plan. All you have to do is come in to a store or call over the phone to have the feature changed.

Neutral

tra la la @ Aug 28th 2008 3:27AM

actually, lessthan, you're wrong. while the email and web plan is 29.99, it's unlimited browser and web-based email (e.g. - yahoo, gmail, outlook web access). the 44.99 plan is for enterprise server access.

the 5GB you're referencing is either the broadband access or broadband access connect (tethered modem).

Neutral

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Aug 28th 2008 5:50AM

well that's good to know then. i only use my gmail account from my phone so i guess i could try and get that changed over. actually, i could probably do it from the Verizon website.

and that 5GB they are talking about is the cap on the 'Unlimited' plan. it mostly protects against people using their phone as a modem to download alot of crap. if you get up to that 5GB then Verizon can cut your line. i wonder if they would charge a termination fee for that? cause that could be a simple way out of a contract if not.....

Neutral

tra la la @ Aug 28th 2008 3:11PM

again... not so much. on the unlimited plan, the 5GB cap only slows the connection down. on the newer plans, 5GB is the given allowance. if you exceed that, you're charge .25/MB overage.

Neutral

M @ Aug 29th 2008 11:20PM

@ TRA LA LA

don't be so arrogant. all verizon data plans have a 5gb soft cap. Read, IN FULL, the terms and conditions on verizon's website.

Neutral

tra la la @ Aug 30th 2008 5:26PM

@ M

actually, I can afford a sense of arrogance because I know firsthand.

Before March 2008, any "unlimited" data plan did have a soft cap at 5GB. If you exceeded that, then your data speeds could be, and most likely were, throttled.

After March 2008, there is a 5GB data plan for both Broadband Access (wireless modem) and Broadband Access Connect (using your phone as a wireless modem). Both cost 59.99/mo, with the Connect just being an add-on feature to an existing line (data plan + feature = 59.99 total). If you exceed the 5GB, you are charged $.25/MB overage.

I guess it's in the wording of the statements - the impression I was getting was that you only get 5GB, after that you're SOL (including one person who said VZW could cut your line). This is not the case. Is there a "soft cap" even on the "unlimited" data plans for smartphones? I'm sure there is. But if you get to 5GB using a phone-based browser, then I would say you have some SERIOUS issues.

Neutral

Sofunnytom @ Aug 28th 2008 12:27AM

no sdhc? only sd?

Highest Ranked

Will @ Aug 28th 2008 1:23AM

if it's 8gb it is sdhc

Neutral

Ry @ Aug 28th 2008 1:59AM

Aren't mircoSD cards 4GB or larger already SDHC (microSDHC)?

Neutral

Ben @ Aug 28th 2008 1:22AM

I hope the keyboard is better than the iPhone, which wont be hard to do, other than the keyboard it looks great

Neutral

madmike @ Aug 28th 2008 1:45AM

no reason for wifi with verizon's fast data speeds...touchscreen on this phone better be superb or their gonna get killed with bad publicity..
put it this way...if blackberry thinks the lg dare is a good touch screen..then this is not going to be an iphone killer!!

Neutral

dave @ Aug 28th 2008 1:47AM

togetsome@gmail.com, apparently you didnt pass the pre-req for posting on here you moron.

read the post. it says in the end that rogers will have this phone, therefore NO us exclusive.

Highest Ranked

lithoss @ Sep 2nd 2008 10:32AM

rogers is canada only, genius

Highly Ranked

togetsome @ Aug 28th 2008 9:19AM

lol, what did the five fingers say to the face?? SMACK

Check out Rogers Centre (yes spelled that way cause it's in Canada). Or check their website. Good luck getting a Rogers phone in the states.

Dave, you're a moron. Thanks for helping lithos

We are awaiting your apology

Neutral

gareth @ Aug 28th 2008 10:06AM

Lol, Lets calm down people. I AM pretty surprised at this rumor that it will be a Verizon exclusive. Thats pretty odd. I cant imagine that Blackberry would really allow that. Especially since this phone has so many types of radios. Anyone know if it has a resistive or capacitive screen? Honestly, If you're going to make a phone that chould be used with your find, I would think capacitive would be a no-brainer.

Neutral

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Aug 28th 2008 1:58AM

dear god. touch phone, touch phone, touch phone, and more touch phones! gimme my dammed 800w already Verizon!

Highly Ranked

jimmycinla @ Aug 28th 2008 2:19AM

8GB is SDHC.

I wonder how many months it will take Verizon to figure out how to fold up that box.

-j-

Neutral

Mike @ Aug 28th 2008 3:49AM

No Wifi means no more verizon for me, I will buy the bold 9000 and switch to t-mobile or even buy an iphone. screw that, I have been waiting very so long for a nice phone from verizon, they think of them self first. I dont mind they charge $600 for the damn phone buy dont take the wifi away, that is bulll

Neutral

Esquire0399 @ Aug 28th 2008 11:09AM

When will people stop claiming that VZW removes Wi-Fi from its phones. VZW does not remove Wi-Fi. Look at the i760, the XV6800, the XV6700... all of those have the Wi-Fi that they were designed to have. If you could give me an example of a phone that originally had Wi-Fi that VZW removed, I would recant my statement. I just wish people would stop jumping on the "crippled" bandwagon when they don't know what they're talking about. Yes, it is true that some (many) aspects of VZW phones are crippled, but that is not nearly as much of an issue when it comes to smartphones, usually except for GPS.

Neutral

gareth @ Aug 28th 2008 1:43PM

The HTC touch (xv6900) and all the blackberries had their WIFI removed. Thats Pearl, Curve and 8800 series. I think its more than a coincidence that Verizon generally chooses to stock models of smartphones without WIFI.

Neutral

Matt @ Aug 28th 2008 3:00PM

The Reason why verizon wireless is not doing wi-fi is because its its unsecure. verizon wireless does not want anyone to hack into their network or to try. that is why they do not allow the wi-fi in the phones.

Highest Ranked

LordObento @ Aug 28th 2008 7:56PM

The XV6900 and the Blackberrys without wifi are the same as the ones on Sprint, Alltel, US Cell...etc. SO VERIZON DOES NOT REMOVE WIFI FROM THE PHONE. PERIOD

Neutral

plh2034 @ Aug 28th 2008 5:41AM

giving kudos to VZW for including the 8GB card when they didn't have to

Neutral

tra la la @ Aug 28th 2008 5:47AM

is it verizon that's including the sd card or rim? my bet would say rim, since the pearl and the curve both require a memory card if you want to record video. something tells me that verizon would want people to pay for the card instead of getting a package deal. then again, this is the first I've heard of a sd card being included instead of part of a "qualifying customer" campaign sort of thing.

Lowest Ranked

jason @ Aug 28th 2008 9:01AM

Blackberry's have never had WiFi and never will. The Data plans are required to be on the devices by RIM,

Highest Ranked

Pusta @ Aug 28th 2008 9:11AM

Funny, my T-Mobile Curve has wi-fi, as do one of the Pearls on AT&T. I guess never means only some?

Highest Ranked

kevinm @ Aug 28th 2008 12:15PM

The Bold has Wifi and the Curve 8320 from T-mobile has Wifi.

Neutral

AwlAmericanDawg @ Aug 28th 2008 4:05PM

Hey smart one, the CDMA ones don't have wi-fi because they have s GPS chip in them. Almost all of the GSM ones have wi-fi built into them

Highly Ranked

AwlAmericanDawg @ Aug 28th 2008 4:05PM

Hey smart one, the CDMA ones don't have wi-fi because they have s GPS chip in them. Almost all of the GSM ones have wi-fi built into them

Neutral

haX0r @ Aug 29th 2008 9:48AM

Another idiot spewing crap when he really doesn't know much about anything. Yes, Jason, there are a few models that do have WiFi. So go back and read some archives or go to BB's website and read about their model lineup. The Bold has it and so do some curves. My guess is this phone, if exclusive through VZW in the states, is that they are going to make their money off of the Data plans they sell to you.

I hope that I am wrong and that this spec will change and that BB will include it as it was one of the phones on my list to "check out".

Neutral

Razor1973 @ Aug 28th 2008 10:14AM

Where did this come from??? Last I saw, they were unhappy with their on-screen keyboard as well as other things and were going back in order to revise much of the O/S, which would cause extreme delays.

Neutral

Eddie @ Aug 28th 2008 10:35AM

Want.
I am going to wait until some reviews come out to see how the touch screen is...then get this. (hehe for assuming it'll be good :P)

Highly Ranked

216 @ Aug 28th 2008 10:44AM

Most Blackberry's have Wi-Fi. Its just that VZ always cripples their BBs by taking away the GPS and the Wi-Fi Features

I recently purchased a Curve (about 2 months ago), and I have no prob in missing Wi-Fi, cuz the VZ network is blazing fast.

HOWEVER. I do not agree with VZ about the GPS situation. Because THERE IS a GPS on the phone, but you can't use it without purchasing a subscribing to VZ navigator first.

Nonetheless, if I see that the Storm is THAT much better than the Curve, I plan on paying Full price for one

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