Storm gets spec'd, ditches Thunder name in UK, coming GSM only?

posted by Brian K. / Sep 23, 2008, 8:57 AM

Storm gets spec'd, ditches Thunder name in UK, coming GSM only?

Lots of Storm information this morning. First off, a trusted tipster on the Crackberry forums has confirmed final specs for the Verizon version. Though we knew most of this already everything looks pretty solid to us, especially that browser part which has been a very weak spot for BlackBerries thus far. Users can expect:

EVDO Rev A: (1900/800 MHz)
GSM/GPRS/EDGE: (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
UTMS/HSDPA/HSUPA: 2100MHZ
WiFi: None
Size: 112.52 x 62.2 x 13.95 mm
Screen 3.25 " HVGA+ 480x360 Multi-touch, Gesture Touch
Battery: 1400mAh (removable! take that iPhone!)
Memory: 1GB flash for media/ 192 meg ram
Camera: 3.2 MP camera, vanity mirror, no flash
Audio: 3.5mm jack, bluetooth stereo, Rhapsody OTA purchase and tethered subscription capable
Browser: Every feature the IPhone safari webkit has, minus support for tabs. No flash support.

They go on to confirm that the Thunder name appears to be ditched completely, and the device will launch on Vodafone as the Storm as well. This will create a stronger international brand, and in our opinion is a good move that will eliminate confusion.

Lastly is a juicy tidbit that there will be a GSM-only variant, the 9500. Specs on this one are rumored to include:

7.2 mbps HSDPA/UMTS (2100/1900/850 MHz)
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
1GB of memory, 192MB RAM
1400 mAhr battery. Standby time: 528 hours
MicroUSB port
MicroSD and MicroSDHC expandable up to 8GB
3.2 megapixel camera, flash, 2.5x digital zoom, auto focus, and image stabilization
Video capture. Normal mode (480×320) and MMS mode (176×144)
Assisted GPS - Enhanced version of GPS that performs at a faster speed

Assuming that clickable touchscreen isn't as bad as we've heard, the Storm family could be the feature device RIM could really use.

source: Crackberry, Crackberry and Crackberry

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46 Comments

1. unregistered

i'm in love!

posted on Oct 20, 2010, 1:42 AM 0

2. unregistered

Any news on other carriers getting the Storm?

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 9:31 AM 0

13. unregistered

VZW exclusive

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 10:59 AM 0

3. Crackberry85 unregistered

When is the phon expected to be released????

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 9:56 AM 0

19. JDubReno unregistered

november 1st!!!

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 12:59 PM 0

46. phoneguy unregistered

i heard that it will arrive on the 2nd

posted on Sep 28, 2008, 8:46 AM 0

4. likeabite unregistered

I can't wait for this phone. Now if only i can track down free blackberry apps I'll be good to go

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 10:06 AM 0

29. chapablo unregistered

There's apps a-plenty. It just depends on whatb you want to do. I like the new google app for my curve (mail, maps w/some gps, and rss reader). But I also have all my news and sport from the main sites as shortcuts.

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 5:12 PM 0

5. unregistered

dissaponting..no wifi...no gps....im goin to att...this is the biggest let down ever for a phone..its a moto q with a touch screen...

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 10:07 AM 0

7. eat it unregistered

you are a retard.... blackberry requires the blackberry package why would you need wifi?? idiot... it will have gps just not the enhanced version but what that really means in comparison to the new version of vz nav im not sure... and if you know anything about the q its a windows mobile phone and the blackberry os is completly different... and as far as going to att, youre clearly an att fan boy... and the iphone requires the $35 data package compared to the $30 unlimited web and email package for blackberry... as long as this touchscreen is comparable to the iphone's, then apple has there work cut out for them...

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 10:33 AM 0

8. Anomalies

Posts: 61; Member since: Jun 08, 2008

Haha, RIM is the highest rated manufacturer in the US, don't compare them to Motorola. Apples and oranges my friend. Anyways go to AT&T, see you back in 30 days

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 10:34 AM 0

9. unregistered

The Storm does have GPS, it just looks like someone left it out of the specs they wrote up on the website. If you look back at the article on 9/16/08 there is a Verizon faqs sheet that says the Storm is capable of Audible Turn by Turn Navigation. I'm sure it matches what the GSM verison has, but someone forgot to list it. Besides, RIM just upgraded the VZ Navigator program on Blackberrys to version 4.0 (traffic, weather, gas prices, movie times, etc.), so why would they leave it out of the biggest phone they've made to date?

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 10:34 AM 0

10. primewax unregistered

Wi-fi is basically useless. GPS I agree, but wi-fi would never be a deal breaker for me.

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 10:36 AM 0

12. unregistered

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. You'll be back soon.

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 10:39 AM 0

21. unregistered

I had verizon and I went to att I didnt come back in 30 days.

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 1:45 PM 0

22. Anomalies

Posts: 61; Member since: Jun 08, 2008

Congrats, want a cookie?

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 1:54 PM 0

34. unregistered

That because you're on a family plan with your mom and dad....you NOOB!

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 8:47 PM 0

37. Pavan unregistered

Dude, Try Wi-fi on Apple iPhone, its good. It is USEFULL. When a phone can come with GPRS and Browser Support. Its not a big deal for the manufacturer to add Wi-Fi Stuff on the board.

posted on Sep 24, 2008, 3:42 AM 0

39. unregistered

I understand that some people like using WIFI because there may be times when it would be better to use WIFI rather than EVDO. I would bet the reason RIM is leaving WIFI out is because it is not a necessary feature when you can get high speed EVDO data almost anywhere you go. Its also a way to keep the price lower on an already expensive phone. It may also be because of the problems the iPhone 3G is having with connectivity. Some of the articles I read have said that the problems may be caused by having so may antennas (edge, 3G, bluetooth, wifi, gps, etc.) built into such a slim phone that they may be causing interference with each other. RIM may have just decided to not use WIFI so they do not encounter the same type of problems the iPhone is having, which is perfectly fine with me.

posted on Sep 24, 2008, 9:50 AM 0

6. unregistered

this will probably make its way to AT&T because it does not have T-mobile's band of HSPDA

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 10:23 AM 0

11. unregistered

as long as the iphone is a att exclusive then verizon will keep the storm locked down...

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 10:38 AM 0

15. Anomalies

Posts: 61; Member since: Jun 08, 2008

"You're not going to let anyone use YOUR phone, so WE won't let anyone use ours" Yeah that doesn't make sense, try again.

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 11:48 AM 0

18. d unregistered

this is only exclusive to verizon for a few months and then if they are not meeeting sales quotas the exclusivity will go away!!

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 12:50 PM 0

20. unregistered

How doesn't that make sense? It's just smart business. If att is keeping the iphone for the themselves why wouldn't their biggest competition keep the storm for themselves? Both phone will be hugely popular.

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 1:02 PM 0

23. Anomalies

Posts: 61; Member since: Jun 08, 2008

No it doesn't make sense, for one, AT&T is GSM and VerizonWireless are CDMA You do know that right? They're two different technologies...cell phone basics, are you following me so far? So, you can't use a GSM phone on a CDMA network and vice versa. So with VerizonWireless and Sprint being CDMA, you can't use their phones with T-mobile or AT&T. And in reverse, AT&T and T-mobile are GSM, so you can't use them with Sprint or VerizonWireless. Sorry I know I'm repeating things, but I just want to make sure you understand 100% and there isn't any confusion. So now that we have that out of the way... You mean to tell me you believe that VerizonWireless won't unlock their phone(The Storm) to be used on incompatible networks until the competition allows their phone(The iPhone) to be purchased unlocked, which would only be compatible with T-Mobile after that anyways? So once again, no that doesn't make sense, since VerizonWireless is uncompatable with the iPhone and AT&T is uncompatable with the CDMA version of the Storm. They won't wait for each other to unlock the phones. Now I don't even want to speculate on whether Vodafone will have their GSM version unlocked, but if so you would purchase the phone, from Europe, at quite a high price. Hope this clears any confusion.

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 2:13 PM 0

24. Anomalies

Posts: 61; Member since: Jun 08, 2008

P.S., in regards to my last post, yes I know the Verizon version is both CDMA/GSM because it is world edition, but that still doesn't mean they'll unlock it to work on GSM networks. None of our other CDMA/GSM world edition phones are unlocked that way either. Sozz sozz

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 2:15 PM 0

27. unregistered

Verizon didnt want the iphone... it was offered to them before at&t

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 3:05 PM 0

28. Chapablo unregistered

Blackberry has a new strategy for their nex gen of devices: ATT will have the Bold as its exclusicve phone. T-Mobile will have the Pearl Flip VZW will have the Storm It seems that this way they will not have to compete with themselves when selling phones, like they do now with the Curve and Pearl on different carriers. Each unique model highlights something appealing about their carrier. The Bold works with ATT's EDGE (*suck*) network. T-Mob will have the more economic and--perhaps--durable flip Pearl, and the Storm will be the feature powerhouse for VZW smartphones with GPS and streaming Video. Excited!? I am!

posted on Sep 23, 2008, 3:43 PM 0

40. unregistered

But if you pay any attention to what phone manufacturers do, they make a GSM and CDMA variant of popular models. AT&T and Apple have an exclusive contract for the iPhone. So more than likely VZW will try to keep an exclusive contract with RIM for the US.