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BlackBerry Storm2 9550 The Complete Guide Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Release Date
2009, November
Camera
3MP
Battery
1400mAh
Screen
3.25"
Storage
2GB , microSD slot
Operating System
BlackBerry OS

Overview of BlackBerry Storm2 9550

The BlackBerry Storm2 9550, released in November 2009, marked a pivotal moment in the mobile phone industry. Designed as part of BlackBerry's response to the tide of touchscreen smartphones, the Storm2 sought to blend BlackBerry's famed email and messaging capabilities with the fresh appeal of a touch interface. Despite its discontinuation, the Storm2 remains a noteworthy device that mirrored the transitional phase of mobile technology between traditional mobile phones and modern smartphones.

Technical Specifications

Display

The device features a 3.25-inch TFT touchscreen with a resolution of 360 x 480 pixels. This display offers a pixel density of approximately 185 ppi, providing users with decent clarity for everyday tasks such as browsing and media consumption. With the capability to display 65K colors, the screen was vibrant enough for its time, albeit inferior to the modern screens both in brightness and color depth.

Camera

The BlackBerry Storm2 is equipped with a single 3.15 MP rear camera featuring autofocus and an LED flash. While this camera would not compete with modern smartphone cameras, it provided basic photography capabilities sufficient for users at the time, with features like video recording as standard.

Battery Life

With a removable Lithium-Ion 1400 mAh battery, the device could deliver standby times of up to 305 hours on 2G and 280 hours on 3G, with talk times reaching up to 5 hours on 2G networks and 6 hours on 3G. The battery performance was competitive, especially when considering the hardware and software optimization of BlackBerry devices.

Build and Design

Weighing in at 160 grams and measuring 112.5 x 62.2 x 14 mm, the Storm2 possessed a relatively compact form factor for its era. The device utilized a Mini-SIM and presented a professional appearance with its black color scheme, adhering to BlackBerry's design philosophy aimed at business professionals.

Network and Connectivity

The device was built to operate on GSM and HSPA networks, supporting 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 2100). It also boasted HSPA data speeds of up to 7.2/2 Mbps along with CDMA support offering up to 3.1 Mbps. As for connectivity, the Storm2 came equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS including A-GPS, and microUSB 2.0.

Operating System and Software

The BlackBerry Storm2 9550 ran on the BlackBerry OS, known for its robust email and messaging capabilities. The device featured BlackBerry’s SurePress touchscreen technology, which incorporated clickable screens to simulate the tactile feedback of button presses. This was a unique feature aimed at improving the touch experience, although it garnered mixed reviews from users.

Memory and Storage

The phone offered 2GB of internal storage space, which could be expanded through a dedicated microSD card slot, accommodating additional storage requirements. The presence of the microSD slot ensured users could handle more data despite the limited built-in storage, a common practice in mobile phones of that period.

Additional Features

Other notable features include the accelerometer sensor and HTML browser, which provided a basic but essential web browsing experience. Regarding audio, it included mono speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack, reflecting a standard audio setup for smartphones at the time. The absence of an FM radio might have been seen as a slight downside given its utility found in many phone models back then.

Legacy and Impact

While the BlackBerry Storm2 9550 may not have aged well against contemporary standards, it played a significant role in shaping BlackBerry’s foray into touchscreen devices. It stands as a testament to the company's efforts to innovate and adapt to changing market preferences, although it struggled against the surging popularity of competitors like the iPhone and Android smartphones. Despite its eventual discontinuation, the Storm2 remains a part of BlackBerry's storied history, reminding us of the rapid technological advancements in mobile telephony.

Conclusion

The BlackBerry Storm2 9550 was an ambitious attempt at revitalizing BlackBerry's appeal in an increasingly touchscreen-centric market. While it did not achieve iconic status, its existence highlights BlackBerry's transitional strides and offers insights into the evolution of smartphones. For dedicated fans and technology enthusiasts, the Storm2 serves as an intriguing piece of mobile history, symbolic of a company seeking to redefine itself amidst a new era of technological advancement.

Key Features of BlackBerry Storm2 9550

  • Network Technology: GSM / HSPA with 3G bands for HSDPA 2100
  • Display: 3.25-inch TFT screen with 360 x 480 pixels resolution
  • Operating System: BlackBerry OS
  • Memory: 2GB internal storage with microSD card support
  • Main Camera: 3.15 MP with autofocus and LED flash
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS, and A-GPS
  • Battery: Removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh, with up to 6 hours of talk time on 3G
  • Loudspeaker and 3.5mm audio jack support
  • Sensors: Accelerometer

BlackBerry Storm2 9550 Drawbacks

  • Uses outdated GSM/HSPA technology, lack of modern LTE support
  • Discontinued status, no support or updates
  • Bulky design with a weight of 160 g
  • Mini-SIM, less commonly used in modern devices
  • Low screen-to-body ratio (~46.7%) and low display resolution (360 x 480 pixels)
  • Low internal storage capacity at 2GB, limited for modern applications
  • Single 3.15 MP main camera, lack of advanced camera features
  • No front-facing (selfie) camera
  • No FM Radio capability
  • Lacks modern sensor technology, only equipped with an accelerometer
  • Limited battery life with up to 5 h (2G) and 6 h (3G) talk time
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 2100
Speed HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps, EV-DO RevA 3.1 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2009, October. Released 2009, November
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 112.5 x 62.2 x 14 mm (4.43 x 2.45 x 0.55 in)
Weight 160 g (5.64 oz)
SIM Mini-SIM
Display
Type TFT, 65K colors
Size 3.25 inches, 32.7 cm2 (~46.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 360 x 480 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~185 ppi density)
Platform
OS BlackBerry OS
Memory
Card slot microSD (dedicated slot)
Internal 2GB
Main Camera
Single 3.15 MP, AF
Features LED flash
Video Yes
Selfie camera
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth 2.1, A2DP
Positioning GPS, A-GPS
Radio No
USB microUSB 2.0
Features
Sensors Accelerometer
Browser HTML
Battery
Type Removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery
Stand-by Up to 305 h (2G) / Up to 280 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 5 h (2G) / Up to 6 h (3G)
Type In CDMA networks
Stand-by Up to 270 h
Talk time Up to 5 h 30 min
Misc
Colors Black
SAR 1.01 W/kg (head)     0.63 W/kg (body)
SAR EU 0.92 W/kg (head)     0.45 W/kg (body)
Price About 70 EUR

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