The BlackBerry Storm 9500 is designed to compete with Apple’s iPhone 3G and T-Mobile’s G1 smartphones. It runs on BlackBerry 4.7.0 OS (4.0.0.98), the company’s latest operating system. Launched in the latter part of 2008, the Storm 9500 is available in locked contracts, but there are also versions that allow users to choose their telecommunication provider.
This is the first BlackBerry smartphone to have a touch-screen rather than a physical keypad. SurePress technology turns the screen into a virtual keypad and the patented technology causes the screen to react in exactly the same way that keypads do. With this technology, there is no need for a stylus and users can easily navigate through the interface with fingertips, clicking icons as easily as with a mouse. SurePress also allows users to adjust the sensitivity of the screen and choose between single or double tapping as the default mode of clicking.
The screen display is 2mm shorter than the frame, leaving an empty space at top and bottom and there is a thin foil to prevent fingerprints from smearing the screen. The touch-screen measures 3.25inches, has a resolution of 360 x 480 pixels and a 65k colour range.
The BlackBerry Storm 9500 is heavy by smartphone standards, weighing 155grams, inclusive of battery, but not too heavy when compared with the iPhone and HTC Touch HD. The back cover is made of metallic material, which appears to add weight to the device.
