BlackBerry Torch 9800

Last updated
BlackBerry Torch 9800
BlackBerry Torch.jpg
Manufacturer Research In Motion
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 regionAugust 12, 2010
Form factor Slider smartphone
Dimensions4.37x2.44x0.57 in (111x62x14.6 mm) [1]
Mass5.68 oz (161.1 g) [1]
Operating system BlackBerry OS 6
CPU 624 MHz Marvell Tavor PXA940 [2] (ARM Cortex A8) compliant [3]
Memory512MB RAM, 4GB storage, microSD slot [1]
Display360x480 px (0.17 megapixels) 3.2 inch
Rear camera5.0 megapixel with scene options and auto-focus [1]
Data inputsTrackpad, keyboard, Multi-touch touchscreen

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]

Contents

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] The device also features far greater social network integration, a powerful universal search feature, and a WebKit browser comparable to those found on iOS and Android devices. [8]

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. [9]

History

Speculation of the Torch began in April 2008 when RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis introduced the BlackBerry 6 operating system during his keynote address at WES 2010. [10] 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". [11] 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. [12]

Official Specifications

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. [15] 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. [16]

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. [17]

RIM has stated that the processor in the Torch is 'of a newer generation', [18] 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". [19]

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. [20] 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". [16] 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. [16]

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. [21] Estimates put sales at somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000 devices sold during the first week of release. [22] 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. [23] 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. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BlackBerry</span> Line of wireless handheld devices and services

BlackBerry was a brand of smartphones and other related mobile services and devices. The line was originally developed and maintained by the Canadian company BlackBerry Limited from 1999 to 2016, after which it was licensed to various companies.

The blackberry is a widespread and well known shrub of the genus Rubus, and its fruit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danger Hiptop</span> Smartphone produced by Danger Incorporated

The Danger Hiptop, also re-branded as the T-Mobile Sidekick, Mobiflip and Sharp Jump, is a GPRS/EDGE/UMTS smartphone that was produced by Danger, Inc. from 2002 to 2010.

The O2 Xda brand was a range of Windows Mobile PDA phones, marketed by O2, developed by O2 Asia and manufactured by multiple OEMs (mainly HTC, Quanta and Arima). The first model was released in June 2002. The last models came to market in 2008. The "X" represents convergence of voice and information/data within one product; the "DA" stands for "Digital Assistant", as in PDA. The name of XDA Developers is derived from it.

BlackBerry OS is a discontinued proprietary mobile operating system developed by Canadian company BlackBerry Limited for its BlackBerry line of smartphone handheld devices. The operating system provides multitasking and supports specialized input devices adopted by BlackBerry for use in its handhelds, particularly the trackwheel, trackball, and most recently, the trackpad and touchscreen.

The BlackBerry Bold is a line of smartphones developed by BlackBerry Limited. The family was launched in 2008 with the 9000 Model. In 2009 the form factor was shrunk with the 9700 and the Tour 9630. In 2010 BlackBerry released the 9650 and 9780 refreshed with OS 6. In 2011 came the 9790 and 9788 along with the 9900/9930 series. The 9900/9930 and 9790 are touchscreen smartphones, released in August and November 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HTC Touch Pro</span>

The HTC Touch Pro is a smart phone from the Touch series of Internet-enabled Windows Mobile Pocket PC smartphones designed and marketed by HTC Corporation of Taiwan. It is an enhanced version of the HTC Touch Diamond with the addition of a left-side slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a microSD card slot, and a camera flash. The Touch Pro smartphone's functions include those of a camera phone and a portable media player in addition to text messaging and multimedia messaging. It also offers Internet services including e-mail, instant messaging, web browsing, and local Wi-Fi connectivity. Depending on its market, it is a quad-band GSM or quad-band UMTS phone with GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, and HSUPA or a tri-band CDMA phone with 1xEV-DO Rev A. All versions feature TouchFLO 3D — a new enhanced version of the TouchFLO interface, unique only to the latest Touch series. In March 2009, HTC announced a new version, the Touch Pro2 which has a larger screen (3.6") and a redesigned slide out QWERTY keyboard with spaces between the keys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BlackBerry Storm</span> Defunct touchscreen smartphone

The BlackBerry Storm is a touchscreen smartphone developed by Research In Motion. A part of the BlackBerry 9500 series of phones, it was RIM's first touchscreen device, and its first without a physical keyboard. It featured a touchscreen that responded like a button via SurePress, Research In Motion's haptic feedback technology. Its competitors included Apple's iPhone, the Palm Pre, the T-Mobile G1 by HTC and the HTC Touch family.

BlackBerry Curve is a brand of professional smartphones that were manufactured by BlackBerry Ltd from 2007 until 2013.

The form factor of a mobile phone is its size, shape, and style, as well as the layout and position of its major components.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BlackBerry Tour</span>

The BlackBerry Tour is a consumer smartphone developed by Research In Motion and is part of the 9600 device series. This high-end messaging phone combines the multimedia features of the Curve with the global roaming of the 8830, plus a higher-resolution display, 3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera, overseas 3G data and faster EVDO Rev. A data in the United States and Canada. Other key features include voice calling, video capture, a 3.5mm audio jack, a microSD slot, push email, a QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, and GPS navigation. The BlackBerry Tour was released on July 12, 2009. In 2010, the 'Tour 2' refresh was re-branded as the Blackberry Bold 9650 when RIM decided to merge the GSM and CDMA2000 variants under the same brand.

The BlackBerry Storm 2 is the second full touchscreen smartphone developed by Research In Motion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LG Versa</span> Mobile phone model

The LG Versa (VX9600) is a mobile phone for use on the Verizon Wireless network. Like the LG Dare VX-9700, the Versa has a full touch screen and onscreen QWERTY keyboard. The Versa also accepts handwriting recognition or gesture control for entering phone numbers and typing. The phone includes a HTML mobile web web browser, a built-in MP3 music player, access to Verizon Wireless's VCAST multimedia services, and mobile e-mail services. The phone includes a 2.0-mp digital camera with zoom, autofocus, and flash. The phone also had a built-in camcorder. An expandable MicroSD card slot is included into the phone, though no MicroSD card is pre-installed into the device. The difference between the LG Dare and the Versa is that the Versa featured a unique, foldout QWERTY keyboard that was detachable. Originally included with the Versa, the QWERTY keyboard was no longer included and only available as an accessory at Verizon Wireless retail stores. The attachment also included send and end call keys so that the user could answer an incoming call even with the flip closed. The attachment also included an integrated LED display screen that displayed information such as the currently-playing music track, current time, current date, signal strength, type of CDMA signal that the phone was currently operating on, the network provider's name, and who is calling, should an incoming call come through when the case is attached and closed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BlackBerry Torch</span> Series of smartphones

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

This is a list of smartphones manufactured by Acer. They either run Android or Windows Mobile.

The BlackBerry Electron (8703/8700/8707) is a series of discontinued BlackBerry smart phone developed by Research In Motion Ltd and released in 2005. The Electron use a mini-SIM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BlackBerry Bold 9700</span> Smartphone

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is a smartphone developed by telecommunication company BlackBerry, formerly known as Research in Motion (RIM). The second device in the Bold series, it succeeds the model 9000 and precedes the Bold 9650. The device, which runs on the BlackBerry OS, features several improvements over the 9000, including introduction of an optical trackpad, and a reduced size overall. Other visual changes were carried out in order to appeal both men and women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BlackBerry Classic</span> BlackBerry phone

The BlackBerry Classic, originally known as the BlackBerry Q20, is a touchscreen-based smartphone with a physical QWERTY, AZERTY or QWERTZ keyboard developed by BlackBerry, previously known as RIM. The BlackBerry Classic was unveiled on December 17, 2014, and it runs the BlackBerry 10 operating system. Its design is similar to the BlackBerry Q10 in form and feel and especially to the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and related lines in that they feature an optical trackpad which can complement or be used as primary means of navigation instead of or with the device's touch-screen.

The Samsung Wave 533, was launched on October 26, 2010 alongside the Samsung Wave 525. Both hardware and software-wise, the S5330 and Samsung Wave 525 are identical except for the inclusion of a pop-out keyboard on the Samsung Wave 533. The phone initially launched with a price of €150 ($210).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "RIM Torch specifications". Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
  2. 1 2 torch-front-web.jpg (UBM Techinsights) Archived July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "Marvell: History of CPU". Archived from the original on 2010-08-03. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  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". Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
  8. ↑ Blackberry 6 features revealed in new RIM video
  9. ↑ "Are the Next-Gen Blackberry Torch 9810/9860 & Bold 9900/9930 Looking for an Audience?". Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  10. ↑ Official BlackBerry 6 Preview Video From WES 2010!! | CrackBerry.com
  11. ↑ BlackBerry 9800 (Torch, Slider) - Caught on video, yet again | CrackBerry.com
  12. ↑ Nilay Patel (24 August 2009). "RIM buys Torch Mobile, BlackBerrys might finally get a decent browser". engadget.
  13. ↑ 2010-08-17_Blackberry_Torch.jpg (IHS iSuppli)
  14. ↑ "Blackberry Torch 9800 - Teardown : TechInsights". Archived from the original on 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
  15. ↑ Gizmodo BlackBerry Torch Review
  16. 1 2 3 BlackBerry Torch Review | CrackBerry.com
  17. ↑ "CNET Editors' Review, RIM Blackberry Torch 9800 (AT&T)". Archived from the original on 2010-08-22. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
  18. ↑ BlackBerry Torch review
  19. ↑ BlackBerry Bold 9700 vs BlackBerry 9780 boot up comparison – YouTube
  20. ↑ AnandTech - BlackBerry Torch 9800 Review: Keeping RIM's Flame Alive
  21. ↑ AT&T Disappointed with BlackBerry Torch, Blames iPhone
  22. ↑ Larry Dignan. "RIM's BlackBerry Torch opening sales so-so; Pondering price cuts, word-of-mouth". ZDNet.
  23. ↑ "International Business". The Times Of India. September 17, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Android, Samsung, grab more U.S. market share - News - Linux for Devices". Archived from the original on 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.