BlackBerry Essex sighted with Sprint branding (update: probably not)

Well, we've been seeing the BlackBerry Essex out in the wild for quite a while now, but this is the first time we've seen it with some Sprint branding, which we're sure is enough to get at least some folks plenty excited (or regretful as the case may be). As most BlackBerry fans are no doubt well aware, the Essex is a Tour refresh that, among other things, adds some much needed WiFi capabilities to the phone, and ditches the Tour's trackball in favor of a trackpad. Of course, this still isn't a done deal just yet, especially considering that the branding seen is only in the OS and not on the device itself -- not to mention the fact that the phone seems to have a curiously crooked trackpad. Hit up the link for a closer look.

Update: As we'd mentioned, the trackpad looks vaguely weird -- and on closer examination, it looks downright uncool when you're zoomed in. We're thinking this probably nothing more than a Tour with a Bold 9700 pad 'shopped on; have to admit, though, the dude did a decent job. Thanks, Boy Genius!

[SnApple Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:30PM]

So essentially how will this differ from the Bold 9700?

[m3nphls Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:34PM]

@SnApple

Bold series have the most powerful cpu for blackberries.

[chancekang Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:34PM]

@SnApple CDMA?

[jojoalltheway Posted Dec 25th 2009 10:42AM]

@chancekang the Essex 9650 might be released by Verizon in a month or so. It's also known as the BB tour 2. Hopefully
it will really tour the users with its amazing specs. http://bit.ly/blackberry-9650-essex-details

CDMA not yet confirmed

[Poop Chef Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:31PM]

How's Matt_25 doing these days???

[r3loaded Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:37PM]

BlackBerry Essex? So this device will come pimped out with blinking LEDs, underbody neons, oversized alloys and a sound system to annoy everyone within a 500m radius with preloaded songs by N-Dubz and Tinchy Stryder??

My god, RIM have moved quite away from their business power-user customer base! :P

[TC Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:52PM]

@r3loaded I think it just means this handset will be free to use, share a common interface and should be really easy to get hold of.

[Dale P Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:58PM]

@TC @r3loaded I think they mean it will only be available in Burberry and Kappa-branded designs, and monthly fees will be automatically paid out of your dole money.

[thespacecowboy Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:48PM]

Coming to a store near you: The Blackberry Dagenham.,

[TC Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:53PM]

@(Unverified) Or as the Ford workers in Dagenham put it - 'The Berry Dagenham'

[N900 Posted Dec 16th 2009 3:08PM]

Blackberry 9650? Fuck that, I want the Blackberry 9999999999999999999999999.

[Mr 14 Posted Dec 16th 2009 5:47PM]

@N900

Personally, I'm waiting for the Blackberry 1337.

[HardToBelieve Posted Dec 16th 2009 6:14PM]

@Mr 14

I 10v3 y0u. 8u7 n07 in 4 64y w4y.

[diamonddogs Posted Dec 16th 2009 3:13PM]

Also coming soon, the Blackberry Somerset. Comes with Wurzel ringtones and a free bottle of cider!

[HardToBelieve Posted Dec 16th 2009 4:29PM]

@diamonddogs

Snap! I'll take 5.

[Ermal Turkeshi Posted Dec 16th 2009 4:31PM]

Decent job? It kinda sucks as an image modification

[bobdelt Posted Dec 16th 2009 4:48PM]

It's about time this has been reported as fake! It was clear from the beginning... I'm sure RIM will be updating the styling just a little more.

Plus if you have a pre-release device, you normally dont put your name all over it when you leak pics.

[threepointstance Posted Dec 16th 2009 6:29PM]

i dont understand the jokes here...