BlackBerry Storm 9500

Compare up to 3 mobile phones below.

BlackBerry Storm 9500 Dimensions (w/h/d): 62 x 113 x 14 Weight: 155g Talk Time: 5 hours 30m Stand By: 360 hours Camera: Camera Resolution: 3.2MP Handset Type: Standard Coverage (Band): Quad Video Camera: Bluetooth: Mp3 Player: Mp3 Ringtones: MMS: Java Games: Radio: GPRS: Email: Internet Browsing: 3G: Memory Slot: WiFi:

Dimensions (w/h/d): Weight: Talk Time: Stand By: Camera: Camera Resolution: Phone Type: Coverage (Band): Video Camera: Bluetooth: Mp3 Player: Mp3 Ringtones: MMS: Java Games: Radio: GPRS: Email: Internet Browsing: 3G: Memory Slot: WiFi:

Dimensions (w/h/d): Weight: Talk Time: Stand By: Camera: Camera Resolution: Phone Type: Coverage (Band): Video Camera: Bluetooth: Mp3 Player: Mp3 Ringtones: MMS: Java Games: Radio: GPRS: Email: Internet Browsing: 3G: Memory Slot: WiFi:

Our Review of the BlackBerry Storm 9500

RIM's first touchscreen handset, the BlackBerry Storm 9500 is a beast of a phone, incorporating a host of features already found on the BlackBerry Bold 9000

RIM's first touchscreen handset, the BlackBerry Storm 9500 is a beast of a phone, incorporating a host of features already found on the BlackBerry Bold 9000 as well as an all-new display and a brace of new multimedia features; with the Storm, RIM hope to hold on to their traditional client base who might be tempted to leave the BlackBerry flock for one of these plucky up and coming smartphones which are now toting push email in addition to cameras, media players, GPS navigation, web browsers, touchscreen displays…

The Storm is RIM's riposte to this moving in on their home turf, and is a pretty slick one at that. The Storm 9500 is easily the sleekest BlackBerry to date, with its brushed metal finish, a beautiful new resistive touchscreen interface and fast HSDPA connectivity.

Straddling the divide between business and consumer phone, the Storm support all the email apps you'd expect from a BlackBerry, but also packs in a wealth of multimedia features including a 3.2 Megapixel camera and comprehensive music player with 3.5mm headphone jack. At present the handset is exclusive to Vodafone, and RIM haven't yet revealed whether any other network operators will take it in the future – given that the two worked together on this project, it's unlikely.

The most interesting feature of the BlackBerry Storm 9500 is its all-singing all-dancing touchscreen display. Touchscreen vary wildly in quality and ease of use, but we're happy to say that this one is a real charmer. Rather than scaring off die-hard BlackBerry fans by presenting them with something unfamiliar, RIM made the prudent decision of integrating the existing scrollball navigation method into a touchscreen environment.

When you press the virtual keys, they light up just like a regular backlit keypad. The 3.25" screen itself is bright and colourful with a high resolution of 480 x 360 pixels. Regrettably, there is no two fingered zooming or rotation, as on a certain Apple number, but RIM has let it be known that more touchscreen functions are in the pipeline. The handset's built in accelerometer rotates the screen's image when you turn the phone, even allowing full rotation for left-handers. Video playback is smooth, sharp and easy on the eye.

In addition to the touchscreen a set of standard keys accesses various functions: located on one side are a rocker key and camera button; invisible mute and lock buttons up top; call, call end, back and BlackBerry keys on the front.

The BlackBerry Storm is no waif at 113 x 62 x 14mm in size and weighing a hefty 155g. You can slide it into your jeans pocket at a push, but those of us who thought the iPhone was pushing boundaries on the size front won't take too kindly to the Storm's brick-like proportions.

Having entered the cameraphone market only recently, the folks at RIM haven't seen fit to cross into 5 Megapixel territory yet. However, the 3.2 Megapixel camera does adequately alongside the built in flash, remains the most advanced camera seen on a BlackBerry to date, and is a cut above that which is featured on the iPhone.

However, it's the Storm's comprehensive multimedia player that really shines. A 3.5mm audio jack is available to plug your own headphones into, whilst a very loud built in speaker will ensure you become the most unpopular person on the bus. MP3, AAC+ and WMA audio files are supported, as are MPEG4, 3GP, H.264 and WMV video file formats. The speaker volume means the phone turns into an effective alarm clock, meaning you'll never be late for that 9:30 appointment. Internal memory is 1GB which can be expanded by up to 16GB with a microSD card, so you'll be able to fit more than a few playlists on here no problem. The large 1400 mAh battery gives up to 5 and a half hours talktime and 15 day standby time on 3G.

BlackBerry handsets are all about messaging, and the Storm makes a fantastic go of it. Two on screen keyboards are available – Suretype in portrait format (two letters per virtual key) and a regular QWERTY keyboard for use in landscape mode – and you can switch between the two by simply rotating the phone. Tap the key and it glows, click it again to confirm you've typed the right letter.  The Blackberry storm runs on 3G with support for HSDPA browser speeds. Quad-band GSM enables you to use the phone all over the world. Unfortunately there's no Wi-Fi – a serious omission for a phone that focuses heavily on connectivity.

All in all, the Blackberry Storm 9500 is an impressive but flawed handset. It has all the features on board that you’d expect from a smartphone, with the exception of Wi-Fi. However, it lacks a truly powerful media player or camera – both seem like something of an afterthought. On the other hand the Storm makes an excellent business device with superb messaging facilities, its innovative interchangeable keyboard and long battery life.

 Pros

The first touchscreen BlackBerry.
Ultra-responsive resistive touchscreen.
The most media-feature friendly BlackBerry so far!

 Cons

3.2 Megapixel camera.

Our Rating

Style:

Features:

Quality:

Reliability:

Battery Life:

All in all, the Blackberry Storm 9500 is an impressive but flawed handset. It has all the features on board that you'd expect from a smartphone, with the exception of Wi-Fi and a 5 Megapixel camera.

•   Click here to compare deals for the BlackBerry Storm 9500 »
•   View more reviews of the BlackBerry Storm 9500 »
•   Add your own review of the BlackBerry Storm 9500 »

Add Review 

Style:

Features:

Quality:

Reliability:

Battery Life:

Value for Money:

Overall:

BlackBerry Storm 9500 Review

Review by: anon703 from , 8th June 2009

Not fantastically built slow and unresponsive and totally unreliable. I've had 2 now. It first had a total system corruption after a week once it was repaired it happened again. The third breakdown was battery related. My second storm has a habit of turning itself to vibrate only, unlocks itself by pressing any button will not type what i am pressing and cuts out all sound when it feels like it which is 9 times out of 10 in the middle of a call. Although quite robust (i like to throw mine when its annoying me) and has some great features its definitely a total disappointment and i can't wait until i can get rid of it. View Full Review

anon703 from gave the BlackBerry Storm 9500 a

Style:

Features:

Quality:

Reliability:

Battery Life:

Value for Money:

Overall:

BlackBerry Storm 9500 Review

Review by: lee27 from , 6th April 2009

perfect mobile best ive ever had so far cant dis it in anyway i love everything about it :) View Full Review

lee27 from gave the BlackBerry Storm 9500 a

Style:

Features:

Quality:

Reliability:

Battery Life:

Value for Money:

Overall:

BlackBerry Storm 9500 Review

Review by: anonymous949 from , 23rd March 2009

I have never owned such a piece of junk. I can't even use because it says battery too low when I have it plugged in to power. Never buy equipment on the first go round. View Full Review

anonymous949 from gave the BlackBerry Storm 9500 a

Style:

Features:

Quality:

Reliability:

Battery Life:

Value for Money:

Overall:

BlackBerry Storm 9500 Review

Review by: John Ross from Bristol, 13th January 2009

The blackberry storm is a lovely looking bit of kit. I have however struggled with the battery life which can drain very quickly. Also I discovered that the case can catch the bottom buttons and pull them off which is quite annoying. This is a good solid all round attempt from blackberry and once you download the bug fixing download from the blackberry website I will be much happier with this phone View Full Review

John Ross from Bristol gave the BlackBerry Storm 9500 a

Style:

Features:

Quality:

Reliability:

Battery Life:

Value for Money:

Overall:

BlackBerry Storm 9500 Review

Review by: anon9124 from , 15th December 2008

I would say this is the best phone for PDA lovers as BlackBerry just came out with what was missing in their phones. BlackBerry OS are extremely robust and fast compared to other PDA/Windows Mobile. Fast email send and receive and other cool features of a touch phone.

BlackBerry Rules! View Full Review

anon9124 from gave the BlackBerry Storm 9500 a

Style:

Features:

Quality:

Reliability:

Battery Life:

Value for Money:

Overall:

BlackBerry Storm 9500 Review

Review by: anon9598 from , 6th December 2008

It is really interesting mobile I have seen so far as I had always been a fan of Blackberry. View Full Review

anon9598 from gave the BlackBerry Storm 9500 a

Style:

Features:

Quality:

Reliability:

Battery Life:

Value for Money:

Overall:

BlackBerry Storm 9500 Review

Review by: tony-cassidy from Maidstone, 2nd December 2008

Within 8 days of it's launch I had collected mu third, yes third storm from my local showroom. the first one started to fall apart, the second one didn't have all the advertised features. For the price of this phone, you would have expected them to iron out all the kinks before it's release on an unsuspecting market. If you are lucky enough to get a fully functional model in one piece,it may still take quite awhile to get used to the touch screen's eccentricities . View Full Review

tony-cassidy from Maidstone gave the BlackBerry Storm 9500 a

  Add your own review of the BlackBerry Storm 9500 »