Yet another iPhone 3G challenger is making waves with its recent release. The Blackberry Storm 9500 is the next new smartphone from the good folks at RIM that is taking their shot at the iPhone 3G. Offering many of the same features the Storm hopes to get a piece of the smartphone/casual user market that the iPhone seems to have whipped up into a frenzy.

Both the iPhone and Storm offer up to 16Gb of internal storage, 3.5 mm headphone jacks, iTunes support and large screens. One major difference between the two is the touchscreen interface. Where the iPhone uses a non-responsive capacitive touchscreen the Storm is using a clickable touchscreen that acts as one giant button. This has been a jaw-dropper for some and frustrater for others. Some worry that the moving part on the screen may lead to easy damage, while other enjoy the more responsive interface which gives you a feel of more control. Use of the keyboard on the Storm is still up for judgement.

Despite Blackberry’s shifting of focus from the business savvy user to the more casual media geared consumer it is still maintaining its hugely popular and proven e-mail system which many other phones still haven’t attempted to catch up with. The main feature being the simple, but extremely useful cut and paste feature which makes managing your e-mails much more easy than on other devices.

The other claim of the Storm is its ability to compete with the iPhone’s fantastic browsing capability. As everyone seems to be rushing to get the mobile-internet as close to desktop browsing the Storm is hoping to be the new leader of the pack.

Does this make a difference in your Christmas phone shopping? Does the slightly bulkier design and new clickable screen match up to the sleek and sexy iPhone package? Let us know.