What Can I Expect With A Storm 9530

[Beakman]

Greetings,
I'm a current 9800 Torch owner and I love it. I've recently migrated from a series of Palm 680's, staying with them because it was a simple OS and fear of migration. I've had a brief fling with a Windows phone, a AT&T Tilt, and despised the thing so much it was literally beaten to death.
With the Palm phones, I would use my older ones as a second phone where I work overseas. I get a local SIM card and buy minutes and this all saves me thousands of dollars a year.
But alas, the last of my spare palm phones has bitten the dust, and since there are none left in the closet I've decided to go with BB for my secondary phones.
What I see to my liking in a price range for expendable BB's are the flip Pearl and the Storm 9530. Unfortunately for the 9530, I hear it's a dog.
I take this with a grain of salt though, as I had problems with my Torch that made me want to hurl the thing, but after 3 OS upgrades (thanks to this site) I couldn't be happier.
So the big question is: If I do buy a Storm 9530, can I expect there to be SIGNIFICANT improvements made by OS upgrades or other tweaks rather than suffer with whatever shortcomings it has straight out of the box? I don't need web browsing much and data downloading over the 2/3 g is not expected. I just want the phone and programs to work with alacrity and as advertised.
Your help and input are appreciated.
Thank you,
Beakman

[phillyphreak]

The phone you're referring to is the only bb on cb to necessitate this:

http://forums.crackberry.com/f133/

But actually as a "secondary" phone I reluctantly approve. Run it with minimum apps and use the hard keys to answer calls and you should make it through the storm...

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[njaremka]

coming from a torch, you will be sorely disappointed with the storm 9530. even the storm2 9550 will be a disappointment.

[Mr One 2]

There are many complaints about the 9530 but just as many people have had great use of it. I fall in the latter category. Having used it as primary phone for a year and a half I have very few complaints. I also got my phone with the bbos 5 when many bugs were corrected. So in my opinion you shouldn't be to disappointed.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Beakman]

Originally Posted by Mr One 2

There are many complaints about the 9530 but just as many people have had great use of it. I fall in the latter category. Having used it as primary phone for a year and a half I have very few complaints. I also got my phone with the bbos 5 when many bugs were corrected. So in my opinion you shouldn't be to disappointed.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Well, I've ordered a Manufacture Refurb. Would you know if it doesn't have the 5.0 OS, can I load it in?

[67Tucker]

You can expect to be severely disappointed by one of the worst smartphones ever produced.

[Mr One 2]

Originally Posted by Beakman

Well, I've ordered a Manufacture Refurb. Would you know if it doesn't have the 5.0 OS, can I load it in?

Yes you can find the software on this site and load it yourself but more than likely it will come loaded with OS5

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[peterbigthe]

We at Foonin have been selling hundreds of refurbished and used blackberry 9530 phones,\ and I would say that 97% of people are really happy with the phones. The nice thing is the price has really gone down on the phone which means you can have a touch screen phone for around $100.

[Beakman]

Originally Posted by phillyphreak

The phone you're referring to is the only bb on cb to necessitate this:

http://forums.crackberry.com/f133/

But actually as a "secondary" phone I reluctantly approve. Run it with minimum apps and use the hard keys to answer calls and you should make it through the storm...

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Indeed, however I fail to find the majority to be real hardship cases in those threads. Mine had major teething pains at first but were miraculously resolved recently.

Originally Posted by njaremka

coming from a torch, you will be sorely disappointed with the storm 9530. even the storm2 9550 will be a disappointment.

So I thought too, but now that it's working fine I kinda like it more than the Torch. If you're into classic vehicles, you'll understand.

Originally Posted by Mr One 2

There are many complaints about the 9530 but just as many people have had great use of it. I fall in the latter category. Having used it as primary phone for a year and a half I have very few complaints. I also got my phone with the bbos 5 when many bugs were corrected. So in my opinion you shouldn't be to disappointed.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

I went into this knowing I'd have problems, so it wasn't too much of a disappointment when I did. As a matter of fact, the challenge of beating this thing makes it more fun than a straight-out-of-the-box winner. See classic vehicle comment above.

Originally Posted by 67Tucker

You can expect to be severely disappointed by one of the worst smartphones ever produced.

Ah yes, I've noticed that you are the Crackberry site's "Resident Wet Blanket". I'm sorry to say, Tucker, that the AT&T Tilt still holds the personal title of Worst Smartphone Produced. So sorry to disappoint you .

Thanks for all your input (sans the used car salesman). I truly enjoy this phone and when it breaks, a Storm 2 will be on the horizon.