The smartphone online community is awash with speculation about RIM’s latest handset – the slider BlackBerry Torch 9800.
Just days after we brought you news of the Torch on Vodafone pricing leak, it is rumoured the BlackBerry Torch on O2 will be released on 4 October – this is after an internal document found its way onto the internet, although sadly there are no pricing details connected with it.
Vodafone is thought to be offering both 18-month and 24-month contracts for the BlackBerry slider with deals ranging from £20 to £40 a month for 18-month tariffs and £15 upwards for 24-month tariffs. And the phone itself is expected to cost between £49 and £399, depending on the monthly deal you go for.
The first BlackBerry smartphone to run on the BB OS 6, the Torch is competing with other high-end devices including the iPhone 4 and HTC Desire. The updated OS brings with it a range of improvements such as swifter online browsing, social networking integration and better multitasking support. And with more media features onboard than you might associate with a BlackBerry device, you’ll easily be able to take and email photos, interact on Facebook, listen to music and navigate your journeys using GPS.
Boosted into the desirable smartphone market, the Torch will still largely appeal to those seeking a BlackBerry because of its physical keyboard, strong email ability, and touches like BBM. Media functions are much better on this handset but it still struggles with direct comparisons with certain smartphones like the Nokia N8 – for example, the video on the Torch is a bit of a disappointment as although the camera has an above-average 5-megapixels and a flash, this is only VGA quality.
The design of the BlackBerry Torch is also a first from RIM – this mobile phone is the first slider handset and the first QWERTY-touchscreen combined device. So you can enjoy the best of both worlds when it comes to messaging on this phone.
We’ll keep you posted on further news of the Torch coming to O2 in early October. In the meantime, you’re welcome to add your own Torch reviews to our website or simply let us know if you like the look of this slider phone.
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