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BlackBerry Storm2 delivers improved touch screen and adds Wi-Fi
- Strong business functionality
- Brilliant 3.3-inch display
- Superb video playback
- Wi-Fi and global 3G network support
- Tedious touch screen
- Dated user interface
- Sluggish web browser
- Shorter battery life than other BlackBerrys
Reviewers agree that the BlackBerry Storm2, Verizon's world-roaming BlackBerry with Wi-Fi capablity, is a vast improvement over its bug-ridden predecessor, but it's still no match for more sophisticated touch-screen devices such as the Apple iPhone 3GS (*Est. $200 with contract), HTC Hero (*Est. $180 with contract) or Motorola Cliq (*Est. $100 with new contract). The Storm2 "feels finished instead of like an engineering prototype," says Jamie Lendino of PCMag.com, although he concurs with CNET's Bonnie Cha and InfoSyncWorld.com's Philip Berne that it's best to shop around – unless you're a Blackberry addict craving a touch screen.
Despite stiff competition in the smartphone realm, experts praise the Storm2's brilliant 3.3-inch display, zippy processor and improved SurePress technology, which registers keystrokes with a click rather than a vibration. On the old Storm (Free with contract), the screen was like a giant button that moved with each click; the Storm2's screen stays in place and clicks electronically. However, Cha says SurePress requires acclimation, and Lisa Gade at MobileTechReview.com says the Storm2's virtual keyboard makes it difficult to see exactly which key you've pressed; she finds it easier to type on HTC and Samsung touch screens, where the letters "jump out" when you press a key. Critics agree on several other counts: The Storm2's tired interface isn't as intuitive or multitouch-friendly as the iPhone; it lacks the customizable home screens and shortcut widgets of the Android-based HTC Hero and Motorola Cliq; and BlackBerry's notoriously slow web browser lags behind Apple, Google and Palm. The usability glitches make navigating the Storm2 "a real chore," says Berne.
BlackBerry's unrivaled corporate functionality, however, still shines through. "Messaging capabilities rule," says Lendino. The Storm2 can read and edit documents, sync with PCs and Macs, and has Bluetooth, GPS and fast 3G network support overseas. Call quality is bright and clear with little background noise, and the Storm2 stays glued to the fast EVDO network better than other Verizon phones. Critics rave about video playback, but find the music player and 3.2-megapixel camera run of the mill. The Storm2 packs less battery power than other BlackBerrys, but it meets the rated five and a half hours of talk time in most expert tests.
Plenty of the top mobile tech review sources weigh in on the BlackBerry Storm2. CNET, PCMag.com and MobileTechReview.com conduct the most rigorous product testing paired with in-depth, comparative write-ups. Additional evaluations from sources such as PC World and The Wall Street Journal are less detailed yet still helpful, while user reviews from CNET and PhoneScoop.com verify expert findings.
Our Sources
1. PCMag.com
For Jamie Lendino, the BlackBerry Storm2 is "a proper version" of the bug-ridden original Storm. While he says it's easier to recommend, the unimpressive web browser and underpowered camera prevent it from beating out PCMag.com's current Editors' Choice for Verizon phones -- the HTC Imagio.
Review: BlackBerry Storm2 9550 (Verizon), Jamie Lendino, Oct. 15, 2009
2. CNET
"We still have our reservations," says Bonnie Cha when it comes to recommending the updated BlackBerry Storm2. Although the Storm2 "starts afresh" with its revamped SurePress technology and the addition of Wi-Fi, she says the browser isn't "on par" with the iPhone, Palm Pre or HTC Hero, and the touch screen requires acclimation.
Review: RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 (Verizon Wireless), Bonnie Cha, Oct. 14, 2009
In tests, Lisa Gade finds that the BlackBerry Storm2 remedies the problems of its predecessor, but she recommends it only for BlackBerry addicts who want a touch-screen phone. Market rivals such as the HTC Imagio and TouchPro 2 have better call quality, and she prefers Samsung's and HTC's "jump out" style keyboard to the Storm2's easily-blocked keys.
Review: BlackBerry Storm2 (Verizon), Lisa Gade, Oct. 27, 2009
"It's really more like a do-over than a sequel," says Mark Spoonauer of the faster and more stable Storm2. Nevertheless, typing still takes more effort than the iPhone, and the user interface doesn't stack up next to the widget-based interfaces of the HTC Imagio or Motorola Cliq.
Review: BlackBerry Storm2 (Verizon Wireless), Mark Spoonauer, Oct. 15, 2009
"Even with the improvements, and they are significant, using the BlackBerry Storm 2 was a real chore," says Philip Berne about the extra effort required to depress the touch screen and navigate the frustrating interface. He says there are better products on the market, such as the HTC Hero, which has an adaptive touch-screen interface that manages to "surprise and delight."
Review: BlackBerry Storm 2 Review, Philip Berne, Oct. 26, 2009
6. PC World
"This is the Storm that I wish RIM had released last year," says Ginny Mies about the new and improved Storm2. Although the Storm2 delivers good call quality, excellent messaging, and a 3.2-megapixel camera that snaps better shots than the iPhone, Mies finds that getting accustomed to the touch screen's SurePress technology is too much of a shift in gears.
Review: Research in Motion BlackBerry Storm 2, Ginny Mies, Oct. 14, 2009
The Storm2's improved touch screen is easier to use, but "it's still not a true multitouch-screen," says tech guru David Pogue. While perks like Wi-Fi, voice dialing and an autofocus camera score brownie points, the slow and "fumbly" web browser chips away at value. Pogue recommends testing the Storm2 at a store before laying down any money.
Review: New Models from Motorola, HTC and BlackBerry, David Pogue, Oct. 29, 2009
After hands-on testing, Walter S. Mossberg finds that the upgrades to the Storm2's touch screen remedy most of the flaws that marred its predecessor. Nevertheless, he finds the browser "is still inferior to Apple's, Google's and Palm's," and the traditional BlackBerry interface "cries out for a major overhaul."
Review: The CLIQ, Storm2 Join Long Parade of iPhone Threats, Walter S. Mossberg , Oct. 14, 2009
Like other experts, Stephen H. Wildstrom says that the improvements to the Storm2 make a huge difference. Still, he adds that Apple "needn't worry," even though the Storm2 delivers superior e-mail, battery life and call quality.
Review: RIM's Vastly Improved BlackBerry Storm, Stephen H. Wildstrom, Oct. 15, 2009
10. PhoneScoop.com
More than 25 users weigh in on the BlackBerry Storm2, and nearly all agree with the experts: The BlackBerry Storm2 is a significant upgrade from the original. Complaints are few and include short battery life, a sluggish browser and the inability to use accessories from the original Storm.
Review: Research In Motion BlackBerry Storm2 9550, Contributors to PhoneScoop.com , As of Jan. 2010
