BlackBerry Torch

BlackBerry Torch
Manufacturer BlackBerry Ltd
Compatible networks Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Tri band 3G UMTS networks: 2100/1900/850/800 MHz[1]
Availability by country August 12, 2010
Form factor Slider smartphone
Dimensions 4.37x2.44x0.57 in (111x62x14.6 mm)[1]
Weight 5.68 oz (161.1 g)[1]
Operating system BlackBerry OS 6.0 (9800)
BlackBerry OS 7.1 (others)
CPU 624 MHz Marvell Tavor PXA940 [2]
Memory 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, microSD slot[1]
Data inputs Trackpad, keyboard, Multi-touch touchscreen
Display 360x480 px (0.17 megapixels) 3.2 inch
Rear camera 5.0 megapixel with scene options and auto-focus[1]
Development status Discontinued (2012 for 9800); Current (for 9810/9850/9860)

BlackBerry Torch is a series of smartphones manufactured by BlackBerry Ltd. The lineup consists of the following:

On August 12, 2011, the updated Torch 9810 was released on Bell Mobility and Telus Mobility. The updated version includes a faster processor, and more memory, as well as including the new BlackBerry OS 7.[3]

BlackBerry Torch 9800

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is a 2010 model in the BlackBerry line of smartphones. It combines a physical QWERTY keyboard with a sliding multi-touch screen display and runs on BlackBerry OS 6. Introduced on August 3, 2010, the phone became available exclusively on AT&T on August 12, 2010.[4][5]

The device looks similar to existing BlackBerry devices, but due to the sliding keyboard features a bigger 3.2 inch 480x360 screen (the same resolution as the BlackBerry Storm and BlackBerry Storm 2) and these features allow the BlackBerry Torch 9800 to look unique.[6] The software is seen by most to be an improvement over the previous version.[7]

History

Speculation of the Torch began in April 2010 when RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis introduced the BlackBerry 6 operating system during his keynote address at WES 2010.[8] A new touchscreen device was widely anticipated as the OS 6 update seemed to be touch/gesture based. Images of a BlackBerry device prototype with a touchscreen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard started emerging in late spring and early summer of 2010. The device was tentatively named the "Bold 9800" or simply the "9800 Slider".[9] The 9800 eventually was officially named the "Torch" by RIM during its August announcement. It can be assumed that the device name was derived from Torch Mobile, the company that RIM purchased in 2009 in aid with their development of a WebKit based browser.[10]

Reception

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 was marketed as "the best BlackBerry ever". However, upon release of the device's technical details, critics, such as PC World's Ginny Mies, were not impressed with the specifications which lagged behind new-generation devices such as the iPhone 4 and Droid X. One reviewer did not find enough difference over earlier BlackBerrys to recommend the device to new users.[11] Key complaints were the 624 MHz processor included in the Torch, whereas the HTC Evo 4G and Motorola Droid X (among others of their class) featured a 1 GHz processor. The Torch's 3.2 inch screen with 480x360 screen resolution was also criticized as being smaller than iPhone 4's 3.5 inch screen with 960x640 resolution and the Motorola Droid X's 4.3 inch with 854 x 480. The Torch has a screen that is the same size as the Storm and Storm 2 with a resolution the same as the Bold 9700, Bold 9650 and Tour 9630. Some critics also noted the lack of HD video recording and the lack of a front-facing camera.[12]

CNET's Bonnie Cha found improvements such as the better user interface, universal search and the much improved browser and multimedia experience. On the other hand, she also found that the smartphone can be sluggish, and could stand for some hardware upgrades, although her review was generally positive.[13]

RIM has stated that the processor in the Torch is 'of a newer generation',[14] when boot times of the Torch and the BlackBerry Bold 9700 (both running OS6) are compared the Torch boots up 1.8 times faster than the Bold with the "older processor".[15]

UBM techinsite has confirmed the claims of Research in Motion, by performing a "tear down" and making a hardware analysis, discovering a PXA940 Processor. This processor is built on 45nm as opposed to the Processor found in the Blackberry Bold 1 and 2. The 45 nm process keeps heat production and power usage down, and the processor as previously stated in this article brings significant performance gains.

Anandtech praised the screen of the phone as being: "one of the most readable outside that I’ve encountered in a while, with text and webpages being easy to make out even in intense daylight. Alongside the iPhone 4, the difference is pretty immediate, especially in how good white appears on the Torch compared to the iPhone4.[16] Anandtech also noted that the contrast ratio was exceptionally good.

Crackberry's Kevin Michaluk gave the BlackBerry Torch an overwhelmingly positive review stating that the Torch is a "worthy device for any smartphone owner".[12] Crackberry praised OS 6.0, the form factor, touchscreen, and the WebKit browser. However, Michaluk criticized the lack of HD video recording and lack of OpenGL support for 3D graphics.[12]

Sales

Initial sales of the BlackBerry Torch were slow to moderate, with AT&T Wireless Operations president expressing some disappointment in the sales stating that he was "surprised there hasn't been a faster adoption" of the smart phone by the public.[17] Estimates put sales at somewhere between 100,000 to 150,000 devices sold during the first week of release.[18] However, sales reportedly improved in the months following the release and RIM shipped a record amount of smart phones in the final quarter of 2010.[19] The BlackBerry Torch placed 6th place on Wirefly's annual top ten selling smart phones list for 2010, selling more than Motorola's Droid 2 and Samsung's Galaxy S Fascinate, but behind devices like the Evo 4G and Droid Incredible.[20]

OS 7 series

BlackBerry Torch 9810

This BlackBerry was released by Research in Motion, as the successor to the original BlackBerry Torch 9800. The touchscreen display, keyboard, camera, battery, microSD slot and overall design of the phone remain unchanged from the 9800, as is the cellular, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity support.

Changes to the 9810 compared to the 9800 mostly concern the internal components or the software. For example, the 9810 includes a 1.2 GHz processor chip which is almost twice as fast as the 9800's 624 MHz processor. 9810 improves upon its predecessor, 9800, with the same 3.2” inch touch screen but with a VGA (640×480) resolution at 246 DPI. RAM has also been upgraded from 512 MB to 768 MB, while the internal flash storage increased from 4 GB to 8 GB. The only hardware change seems to be the magnetometer and some color variants.

BlackBerry OS 7 is included with the BlackBerry Torch 9810. This OS supports OpenGL ES and other APIs for additional features. For example, the device has an enhanced GPS navigation system installed. A 4G version was available with select carriers eventually.[21][22]

BlackBerry Torch 9850/9860

The BlackBerry Torch 9860 is a full touchscreen smartphone developed by Research In Motion (RIM) also announced on August 3, 2011.[23] As the natural progression of the Torch and Storm lines the 9850/60 dispenses with the slideout keyboard and the surepress screen made famous with its predecessors and focuses on an all touch interface unique within the Blackberry line. It also offered the largest screen of any Blackberry until the arrival of the BlackBerry Z10.

In many ways the 9850/60 is very similar to its sister model the 9810 including chipset, battery power, browser capability and liquid graphics technology. It also maintains as do all current Blackberry models the standard four button (answer, menu, back, end) and TrackPad line of buttons on the bottom front of the phone. Unlike the Bold 9900/30 and Curve 9380 models however it does not offer Near Field Communication technology.

In Canada, the Torch 9860 was available at Bell Mobility, Rogers Wireless, Sasktel, Telus Mobility, and Videotron. Bell, Rogers and Telus have since discontinued it.

In India, the Torch 9860 is available at Mobile Store, BlackBerry exclusive showroom, and many retail stores dealing in mobile.

Model comparison

BlackBerry Torch 9800

OS 7 series

Model BlackBerry Torch 9810 BlackBerry Torch 9850 BlackBerry Torch 9860
Image
Announce date August 3, 2011[23]
Display 640 × 480 px 24-bit 3.2 inch TFT LCD (built on 100 µm pixel) at 253 ppi 800 × 480 px 24-bit 3.7 inch TFT LCD (built on 100 µm pixel) at 253 ppi
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8655 processor 1.2 GHz[26]
GPU Adreno 205
RAM 768 MB
Storage 8 GB Internal
microSD slot		 4 GB Internal
microSD slot
Inputs Multi-touch touchscreen display with haptic feedback, volume controls, proximity and ambient light sensors, 3-axis accelerometer, Digital Compass, GPS/aGPS
Connectivity 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1 + A2DP + EDR
Compatible Networks GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
UMTS/HSPA 2100/1900/850/800 MHz 2100 MHz 2100/1900/850/800 MHz or 2100/1700/900 MHz
CDMA/EVDO N/A 800/1900 MHz N/A
Operating system BlackBerry OS 7
Battery 1270 mAH Lithium-ion polymer battery
12.8 days standby (GSM)
12.3 days standby (UMTS)
6.9 hours talk (GSM)
5.9 hours talk (UMTS)
54 hours music playback
7 hours video playback		 1230 mAH Lithium-ion polymer battery
13.4 days standby (CDMA)
11.8 days standby (UMTS)
6.8 hours talk (CDMA)
6.1 hours talk (UMTS)
50.2 hours music playback
6.6 hours video playback		 1230 mAH Lithium-ion polymer battery
13.9 days standby (GSM)
13.5 days standby (UMTS)
4.7 hours talk(GSM)
6.8 hours talk (UMTS)
44 hours music playback
6.6 hours video playback
Weight 161 g (5.7 oz) 135 g (4.8 oz)
Dimensions 111 mm × 62 mm × 14.6 mm (4.37 in × 2.44 in × 0.57 in) (closed) 120 mm × 62 mm × 11.5 mm (4.72 in × 2.44 in × 0.45 in)
Camera 5 megapixel
4× digital zoom
Flash
HD video (720p) at 30 fps

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 RIM Torch specifications
  2. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  3. ↑ Are the Next-Gen Blackberry Torch 9810/9860 & Bold 9900/9930 Looking for an Audience?
  4. ↑ Wortham, Jenna (2010-08-03). "Research In Motion Brings the Torch to AT&T". Bits. New York Times. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  5. ↑ Crum, Rex. "RIM seeks to light up smart phones with new Torch device". Marketwatch.com. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  6. ↑ Engadget BlackBerry Torch Review
  7. ↑ CNET Blackberry Torch First Impressions
  8. ↑ Michaluk, Kevin (2010-04-27). "Official BlackBerry 6 Preview Video From WES 2010!!". CrackBerry.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  9. ↑ Bla1ze on 7 Jul 2010 07:53 AM (2010-07-07). "BlackBerry 9800 (Torch, Slider) - Caught on video, yet again". CrackBerry.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  10. ↑ Nilay Patel. "RIM buys Torch Mobile, BlackBerrys might finally get a decent browser". engadget.
  11. ↑ Gizmodo BlackBerry Torch Review
  12. 1 2 3 Michaluk, Kevin (2010-08-04). "BlackBerry Torch Review". CrackBerry.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  13. ↑ CNET Editors' Review, RIM Blackberry Torch 9800 (AT&T)
  14. ↑ Topolsky, Joshua (2010-08-04). "BlackBerry Torch review". Engadget.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  15. ↑ "BlackBerry Bold 9700 vs BlackBerry 9780 boot up comparison". YouTube. 2010-09-24. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  16. ↑ "BlackBerry Torch 9800 Review: Keeping RIM's Flame Alive". AnandTech. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  17. ↑ Motorola il iDEN (2010-09-08). "AT&T Disappointed with BlackBerry Torch, Blames iPhone". Intomobile.com. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  18. ↑ Larry Dignan. "RIM's BlackBerry Torch opening sales so-so; Pondering price cuts, word-of-mouth". ZDNet.
  19. ↑ "International Business". The Times Of India. September 17, 2010.
  20. ↑ http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Nielsen-Nov-2010-smartphone-sales-plus-Wirefly/
  21. ↑ BlackBerry 4G Torch 9810
  22. ↑ Torch 2 supports 4G connectivity
  23. 1 2 Research In Motion Introduces New BlackBerry 7 Smartphones Archived March 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  24. 1 2 http://www.isuppli.com/PublishingImages/Press%20Releases/2010-08-17_Blackberry_Torch.jpg
  25. ↑ "Blackberry Torch 9800 - Teardown : TechInsights". Ubmtechinsights.com. 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  26. ↑ Blackberry 9900/9930 Phone Specifications

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