BlackBerry Thunder gets 9530 model designation on Verizon, October 13th release date?
89 comments
Filed in 1xRTT, BlackBerry, CDMA, EDGE, EV-DO, Exclusives, GPRS, GSM, HSDPA, Handsets, Verizon
We just got a screen cap of the product inventory screen from a Verizon tipster. It shows that the BlackBerry Thunder, which we’ve all been reporting as a 9500-series device is correct. The specfic model — you guessed it — is the BlackBerry 9530 for Verizon. Would it be any other way? We were also told the launch date on Verizon is October 13th, and that coincides with our previously leaked info just marvelously. Now, is it the Thunder or Storm?
Who does a screen cap with a camera???
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Epic fail if the phone I’ve been waiting for doesn’t hit either T-Mobile or ATT. I have owned every BB (except the 8800) and want this…bad. Won’t switch out to Verizon to get it though. I already have Tmo and ATT…RIM…don’t fail your most loyal customers and get this into ATT or Tmo hands ASAP
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@ Jesse: It has been confirmed for several months now that the Thunder is exclusive to Verizon and Vodafone. Where have you been? If you’ve been waiting for it, how could you not have already known this?
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That “larger” shot is a bit redundant, don’t you think?
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People that are jacking information and sending it to BGR, Einstein.
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lol@ that “larger” shot. hopefully this will be out by time my Verizon training is over.
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so will i be able to use it unlock at sprint?
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Yo BG
Any news who will have it in Canada?
Thanks
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Sounds like EPIC FAIL for you Jesse, everyone knows this phone is a lifetime Verizon/Vodafone exclusive as long as they meet sales quotas. Hope you enjoy your iphone on AT&T
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@ Hash
Telus
This was in an article about why to buy Rodgers:
“”On the other hand, Telus is expected to launch (exclusively) a new touch screen BlackBerry this fall, which could steal some of the Bold’s Thunder, albeit temporarily.” “
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As Hash asked: Is this even going to be available in Canada?
I can’t see Rogers getting both the Bold and Thunder. I hope its not destined for CDMA networks up here… (since Bellus is also building GSM). I’m waiting for the Bold, but might have to wait to see what happens here.
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doh - so North America will only see this on CDMA?
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december dont expect it any sooner
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@Sean
It also has been talked about that the exclusive period to Verizon is not completely set in stone and that it may only be for a short period. Like initial launch wave. Makes no sense for RIM to keep this from ATT customers seeing as how they have the largest consumer base and have a large BB user base as well. Epic fail if this takes forever to launch at Tmo or ATT.
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@Jesse:
“epic fail”? Why? It is apparent (and reasonable, and expected) RIM has no love for ATT and their infatuation with Apple device. Personally, it’s ABOUT DAMN TIME a CDMA exclusive device came out of RIM. North America is DOMINATED by CDMA carriers, and with North America accounting for over 60% of Apple’s iPhone 3G sales, it’s a very strategic move on RIM’s part to launch Thunder as a CDMA exclusive device.
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@Quemador:
CDMA devices don’t work that way. You don’t “unlock” them for use on another carrier.
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Storm or Thunder???? 9530T…. it’s definately Storm…. if it said 9530S… then we know it would have been Thunder.
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Its going to be called the BlackBerry Storm, my college buddy works for a Marketing Agency(RIM is his Client) and already has some of the Product’s Marketing Materials for RIM.
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@DavidB
of course you can. cricket’s network is crawling with unlocked 6700’s, 6800’s, touches, Q’s…the list goes on with windows mobile devices. even palms and blackberries show up with limited functionality.
many CDMA devices can be unlocked and used on other networks. it’s just a matter of getting that carrier to agree to activate your device.
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Epic fail because during a conference call with one of our Regional Data managers, he said that approx 9-13% of ATT consumers use Blackberry. So that is approx 6-9 Million customers that you are potentionally missing out on. Why would you limit yourself? Who cares if ATT has an infatuation with IPhone…as well as they should be…its one of the best devices ever concieved and has done wonders for their image as the best carrier on the market. But to limit yourself to just Verizon is just asinine IMO, especially since it’s been ATT and TMO that has carried the BB brand quite well in the US. Again, in my humble opinion…missing out on nearly 10 million customers is failure. If the exclusive period lasts for just a short time then that’s cool. Remember, ATT and TMo allows our customers the ability to take their BBs overseas and roam and conduct their business worldwide.
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@Jesse - “its one of the best devices ever concieved and has done wonders for their image as the best carrier on the market” Are you serious? for all the fawning people do over the iPhone, which I understand the hardware might deserve some it, the biggest complaint I’ve heard is the service..especially 3G (or lack thereof) availability.
Besides, if everyone just threw everything at AT&T, especially theoretically competing business devices (trust me, Apple is gunning for the suits as well), you dilute your sales. Everyone isn’t going to be two phones. VZW, on the other hand, has nothing it would really put up against the Thunder/Storm. And you’re off the mark if you think VZW doesn’t have business customers that want the ‘trendy’ touch screen look combined with the well-regarded business function of a BB. Oh no, blackberry might lose 6-9 customers. Companies make that decision all the time. What, you think not a single CDMA customers want’s an iPhone? Why else would apple have gone exclusive on AT&T. Of course they will miss customers. But I’m sure they will live.
And exclusive for life? Maybe not, but Verizon does have a large base, a very reliable network, and perhaps you’ve heard of a little merger coming up which should give them claim to ‘biggest ass carrier’ in the states (projected about 80 Mil). RIM isn’t just making it up as they go.
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@jesse
See where it says “GLOBAL” next to the model number? Yes we do have global devices that do run gsm also. At the end of the year when we acquire alltel, verizon will have the biggest customer base. So most likely they will see alot more sales on verizon. And we will be switching alot of customers
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It kills me how the AT&T diehards are getting all bent out of shape because ONCE out of the multitude of handsets that have either been exclusive to the AT&T (GSM) world or released first on AT&T, VZ finally gets what looks to be a hot phone first. With VZ due to close the acquisition of AllTel sometime in the 4th quarter of this year and putting itself as the number one carrier in the US (based on used count) I’m not sure how anyone can consider it an epic fail ….80 millions subs?? Epic fail???.
Two important things to note.
A. It appears that on VZ it’s a world phone, so it will support GSM. Maybe I’m wrong here but the only other one market Global is the 8830. Buy one, unlock it, replace the SIM and figure out a way to make the GSM portion work in the US.
B. Vodaphone will also carrier it, so RIM is certainly making a GSM only version. Buy it and unlock it when it comes out.
Point being to all the AT&T lovers who are feeling a little glum… The Verizon users need a little love sometimes too and I’m pretty sure that they are well over due for an exclusive. Besides, you will get the Bold in a few days anyway… god knows how long it will be before VZ gets that.
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Guarantee this does not go to GSM market as long as iPhone is GSM only. Telus will be the exclusive provider in Canada and Verizon in the U.S. Everybody waiting for this to come to GSM will be waiting a very long time.
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