BlackBerry Storm 9530 for Verizon gets boxed

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

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[TareX @ Aug 27th 2008 10:06PM]

Looks great.

It's moment like these when I wish BBs had a bigger library of 3rd party apps.

[SneAKz @ Aug 27th 2008 10:13PM]

Wait. w..w.w.... wait a second. Rogers? Rogers is a GSM/UMTS/HSDPA carrier like AT&T. I don't think they'll be getting this. They just got BB Bold and have KickStart and Javelin lined up for Q3 and Q4 respectively. Telus or Bell (the CDMA carrier) will most likely be getting this one.

[YacozA @ Aug 27th 2008 10:19PM]

Notice that it says "Global Smartphone"

that usually means its CDMA + GSM

so their shipping a CDMA+GSM: and a standalone GSM??

[Jay @ Aug 27th 2008 11:16PM]

YacozA,
There are different frequencies used for GSM. Most countries use GSM 900/1800. The US and Canada use 850/1900. A "global" phone on CDMA will typically have 900/1800 to accommodate most countries but not include 850/1900.

[bizzy @ Aug 28th 2008 3:53PM]

everyone is talking about no wi-fi just becuase it is not on the box. I think the box is just talking about the phone in general, then the accessories.

It doesnt actually describe the feature of the phone on the box, just like we do not see anywhere it talks about the camera on the box...

anyone agree?

[Bob @ Sep 2nd 2008 7:35PM]

bizzy I hope you are right. I am reserving judgement for better info. It would make sense this phone has a camera and bluetooth for headsets. Yet neither are listed on the box. Lets hope thats the same for Wi-Fi. If there is no wi-fi I may not end up with this phone. I know I can use Verizon 3G for web but I expect VZW will either charge me extra for all that usage or will eventually cap my usage. The flights I fly are now offering wifi. While I use my laptop at times it would be nice to have the option of using the phone wifi - make room for drinks on the tray table.

Like I wrote, I'm reserving judgement until I read more from reputable sources.

[ClearAsMud @ Aug 27th 2008 10:06PM]

Unbelevable...so the Storm will probably be released before the Bold? Go AT&T...woo hoo!!!

[rorencent @ Aug 28th 2008 2:13AM]

I just want the Bold on AT&T then I'll be so happy

[Matthew Van Arsdale @ Aug 27th 2008 10:08PM]

About time, I have been waiting forever.

[tom @ Aug 27th 2008 10:35PM]

OMG OMG OMG OMG

So excited ^_^

Let see how the Storm will whoop Job's hiney

[TheMagnificen7 @ Aug 27th 2008 10:46PM]

@tom

Ah ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha. That is pretty much all. It looks pretty good, but it will not whip Jobs' 'hiney.' That's not fanboyism, that's just common sense. I think the Storm will sell well, but it will also force Apple to not rest on it's laurels, but continue to up the ante. The iPhone will always be more popular and will probably continue to sell insane numbers of phones.

[onebyside @ Aug 27th 2008 10:08PM]

nice

[haX0r @ Aug 27th 2008 10:09PM]

One of my "Can't wait to test out" phones.

[Isaac @ Aug 27th 2008 10:09PM]

Give us a firm release date for this and the bold.


Thant is all.

[Tom @ Aug 27th 2008 10:10PM]

Wait a minute...I've seen those Storm users before. That same photo is currently plastered all over the MBTA subway system in Boston; it's being used in an advertising campaign for the Boston Harbor Islands.

[Adam @ Aug 28th 2008 1:32PM]

Maybe they both illicited cheap stock photography from deviantArt?

[Marq @ Aug 27th 2008 10:11PM]

Blackberry is giving me blue balls dammit. Where is the Bold? I'm getting really impatient and sick of seeing the future products! GIVE ME SOMETHING NOW! Lol.

[MMisterio @ Aug 27th 2008 10:14PM]

Excellent News!

now all we need is pricing, official photos and videos of the phone's UI, browser, multimedia options

Sorry my lovely Curve, I must sell you because it seems there is a Storm brewing on a network that doesn't suck

[Striker @ Aug 28th 2008 1:34AM]

So you're on T-Mobile right now?

[George. @ Aug 27th 2008 10:21PM]

Wow, looks like this thing will be released before the Bold in the US. I wonder when John Mayer is getting it?

[Mike Nikolis @ Aug 27th 2008 10:23PM]

But.. Will it blend??

[Nomi @ Aug 27th 2008 10:27PM]

That one got old a while back...

[waffles @ Aug 27th 2008 10:39PM]

its ok... apparently he didnt get the memo about that cover sheet for the TPS report. could you kindly send him one just to make sure?

[Abuzar Baloach @ Aug 27th 2008 11:05PM]

First rule of blending is that you don't talk about blending.

noob.

[Irwin @ Aug 27th 2008 11:10PM]

@waffles
lol :)
stupid middle management

[england2012 @ Aug 27th 2008 11:13PM]

Second rule about blending...no smoking allowed, only out back by the stairwell.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Aug 28th 2008 1:27AM]

Wrong, England.

Second rule of blending is that you DO NOT talk about BLENDING.

[absinthe party @ Aug 28th 2008 9:26AM]

Sometimes, I get so enraged when I see overused internet memes that I go back to old Engadget articles and start ranking people down who used them when they were actually funny.

So, if you go back to an old article from three years ago with the intention of giving yourself an ego boost by swooning over your old Highest Rankeds and you notice that you're now Low Ranked, that was me. I ruined your day.

[Trent @ Aug 27th 2008 10:36PM]

"Sorry my lovely Curve, I must sell you because it seems there is a Storm brewing on a network that doesn't suck"

haha, epic. Looks awesome!!!!!

[Killer @ Aug 27th 2008 10:45PM]

Anyone else find it weird that box if you fold it back up it is missing a side? Why is it a 5 sided cube? Is there information missing for a reason? because I don't believe for a second that RIM would release this thing without wifi....I mean the BOLD has it!!!

[Skor @ Aug 27th 2008 10:57PM]

A sleeve around a much more mundane black box anyone?

[zach @ Aug 27th 2008 11:01PM]

note the red line that signifies the "cut" it's curved on that one side...could possibly be that the internal box slides in from the side

[phreakincool @ Aug 29th 2008 10:43AM]

Here's a better pic:
http://www.mobilewhack.com/blackberry-storm-comes-from-verizon-wireless/

[7on @ Sep 4th 2008 4:47PM]

Verizon won't let RIM release it with WiFi. Verizon wouldn't let you have something unless they've figured out how to charge monthly for it.

[reuvypoo @ Aug 27th 2008 10:53PM]

Just wondering...where in the world did you find something like this? Why would Verizon even have an internal pic of the box? How is it necessary to anyone? It might have been to be approved, but I still don't see how and why Engadget got this specific information.

[Malvos @ Aug 27th 2008 10:59PM]

Anyone else notice no mention of a camera? Is it just not listed? or does it not exist?

[Skor @ Aug 27th 2008 10:59PM]

That actually made some pretty good papercraft.
Thats right, I just built a mini blackberry storm box sleeve. Wanna fight about it?

[thewalrusking @ Aug 27th 2008 11:04PM]

Funny thing is ATT will get a newer BB but since their network for BBs isnt even 3g yet Verizon wouldnt want their trash anyway. This looks cool, but will a business man/woman with so much email be willing to forgo the keyboard?

[Unbiased @ Aug 27th 2008 11:05PM]

This looks like a winner. It's unfortunate(but expected) it doesn't have Wi-Fi(probably at the behest of Verizon). When will the carriers realize that the walls of their walled-garden can't last forever?

[simontonev @ Aug 28th 2008 9:44AM]

Totally agree. I'm looking to stay with verizon because of the netwrk, but ONE measly wifi phonein their lineup is really a non-starter from me.

[grull27 @ Aug 27th 2008 11:16PM]

Why does the box say "SIM Card Pre-installed?" Verizon is a CDMA network, they don't use SIM cards. Wtf?

[Al @ Aug 27th 2008 11:17PM]

world phone?

[nick @ Aug 27th 2008 11:31PM]

verizon has a few phones, noteably the 8800, that have both gsm and cdma capabilities, so there is actually a sim in these phones, although to get them unlocked is very hard. Not to mention they usualy lack US gsm bands....so we will have to wait about a year for them to come to gsm, until then i want a bold ;).

[Technophile @ Aug 27th 2008 11:38PM]

It's a global phone.. the preinstalled SIM card is meant to be used on foreign networks if you're traveling overseas...

[that guy @ Aug 29th 2008 12:28AM]

Hey Grull27,


The reason why is say's "pre-install" is because Verizon currently ships global phone's with out a SIM. If a user wants a SIM a story rep has to order it for the customer. Verizon has finally come around to the idea of shipping the phones with the SIM already install. This will help out the customer who's traveling over sea's that way the phone works right out of the box and only a simply feature has to be added to the customers account.

[)law( @ Aug 27th 2008 11:23PM]

I like what BB is cooking up but the names are a little funky, thunder, storm. I guess nature inspires them, nice. I will wait for the bb earthquake tho.....

[Darren @ Aug 27th 2008 11:25PM]

If its browser can run for longer than 5 minutes without crashing then I'm sold.

[Andrew T. @ Aug 27th 2008 11:45PM]

I'll be honest here. As much as I like my BlackBerry over the iPhone (the BlackBerry suits me better), unless RIM decides to create a WHOLE NEW OS for the 9530, it won't/shouldn't be a iPhone competitor. Look, I love the 4.2/4.5 OS currently available on current generation BlackBerry's because it's a stable/reliable solution to what current BlackBerry's are meant to do (SMS, e-mail and all that jazz) but to have something similar on a BlackBerry that's suppose to be all touch? Doesn't make much sense.

I'm not saying it has to mimic the GUI of the iPhone but it should be something at least close that you can actually compare it to otherwise it's just another BlackBerry with the keyboard replaced by a touchscreen. I just hope RIM actually delivers rather then hyping it up and the flopping on the total something like the iPhone 3G.

(Low rank me if you want, but you can't say that the iPhone is not a disappointment in terms of what actually was improved. What's different from 1st generation to 3G? just 3G? Didn't realize having 3G capabilities was worth waiting in line for days...)

[Andrew T. @ Aug 27th 2008 11:56PM]

Forgot to add, I still think the iPhone will have the upper hand with stuff the consumer wants: smooth, cool UI, functionality. I don't know what RIM is brewing up in Waterloo, but I just don't think it will match the iPhone on it's first try. Look at Apple. Apple has been planning the iPhone for years and it still hasn't got it right. Sure, RIM has been making phones/OS for years as well, but it's one thing to create something simple for users who just do SMS and e-mail and it's another thing creating for a new demographic that pays close attention to the user interface.

I don't doubt RIM will make a solid device, but I think it will take more than one attempt to meet the iPhone.

[atbnet @ Aug 28th 2008 1:23AM]

It will use OS 4.7