We've overhauled our BlackBerry Torch review in light of recent firmware upgrades and a big drop in price - from £40 to £30 a month in some cases, and nearly £100 off the SIM free price.
Take a look at this updated review to see if this extra cost savings make the BlackBerry Torch a market leading smartphone.
For years, they were the businessman's workhorse – the status symbol that you'd made it in the corporate world. But Blackberry's approach has changed of late – buoyed on (or shaken) by the success of Apple's iPhone and various Android competitors, maker RIM has reshaped its approach.
As Apple tries to show its iPhone can make it in the corporate world, Blackberry's changed its tune and is now targeting the traditionally youthful music and social media lovers.
After the love-it-or-hate-it SurePress screen of the BlackBerry Storm and Storm 2, the Torch has gone for what is now the industry standard: a capacitive screen with no clicks needed.
The device feels like a quality product. It's shiny and has a 3.2-inch display. While not up there with the iPhone 4's Retina display in terms of clarity, as far as physical size goes, the Torch's screen does give the impression of being bigger than it is.
The phone's heavy enough to notice – yet not enough to make carrying it a chore.
But while the sliding keyboard locks in and out without rattling, this doesn't feel like a device that would survive being dropped onto a hard floor too many times.
The key selling point when the Torch was released in late 2010 was that it was the first device to ship with BlackBerry OS 6. But now, it's got competition in the Bold 9780.
Function-wise, they're the same with GPS, Bluetooth, 3G, Wi-Fi and a 5.0MP shooter –but even though the screens are of an identical resolution, the Torch's falls behind that of the Bold 9780 because the pixels are spread over a larger area, resulting in it not looking as sharp.
One of BlackBerry's strengths has always been just how much you can customise its devices. This is either through BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) – where the employer customises it and you have little control – or BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS), where you can change as much as you like. Indeed, when you go from an iPhone to a Blackberry, you realise just how closed Apple's system is.
But can you have too much of a good thing? The answer is probably yes.
For example, changing the ringtone is easy enough, but customising profiles is an intense experience, with so many options even a power user is left reaching for the smelling salts. Setting up ringtones, text alerts, MMS alerts, email alerts, Twitter, Facebook, the browser, IM, BBM and so on gets confusing when you realise just many options you have, and you end up giving up halfway through.
One huge omission has also been made with the Torch. When we opened the box, we were pleased with the various accessories (including standard BlackBerry international chargers), but where was the case? Close inspection revealed that this phone doesn't come with one, which we find unforgivable.
BlackBerry has bundled one with almost every phone it's made in the last few years and there's a reason for that – not only do the holders protect the phone from bumps, they also automatically shut off the screen and put the phone into standby, helping the battery last even longer. If the phone is in your pocket or bag, it prevents you accidentally dialling a contact - although the touchscreen slider should help there.
We can't, for the life of us, understand why BlackBerry have left such an obvious accessory out of the Torch's box, other than to encourage you to buy one. If that is the case, it will certainly irritate the legions of users that have become accustomed to getting a fancy new holster with every new BlackBerry.
Your comments (15) Click to add a new comment
unlockblackberrytorch
September 7th 2011
15. Hi guys, if you buy unlock blackberry torch just visit http://www.unlockablackberrytorch.com as my additional resources.
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niam36
August 25th 2011
14. To call this a smart phone would be misleading. Its a basic phone and if you try to anything above this it freezes and gets very easily confused. The Apps are a joke, iv added a few anything which has any potential is too much for the phone and freezes the phone again again again you have to reset the phone. Its has a clumsy OS6 and it has no processing power. I can not understand how BB can place this as their top smartphone.
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lisaxt
August 15th 2011
13. the WORST phone i have ever had! i advise any one who is going to buy this phone not to a nokia 3210 is better and faster than it! always freezing doesnt always send messages and cant always get internet access! NEVER buy it! i used to like blackberrys until now!
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compassvb
August 9th 2011
12. use to love blackberry...sadly this phone is sorely out of touch in today's IT context... not a deal even if prices drop by 80%
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kiransamy
June 7th 2011
11. Blackberry is no more the choice of business use! Too bad..........
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michelle259
April 12th 2011
10. I went for it, when the prices went down, but after reading all your reviews, i have changed my mind. underpowered phone is not i desire any more!
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ajbabao
January 6th 2011
9. well folks it's underpowered in terms of browser loading but for multitasking features it's just right no issues encountered. never hung on me left me out to dry. But one thing puzzles me this phone is a performer. try loading the RSOE EDIS disaster and emergency preparedness website http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap. It will load properly. and you can and will be able to save lives. it's not that underpowered after all. This torch is one well built machine. serious for business users and those in government. other android phones are just mere toys.
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dodger395
October 23rd 2010
8. well vie had the torch for about 36 hours and i gotta say its a very good phone ok it doesn't have a 1ghz processor and and an amazing screen BUT it all adds up to better battery life for the torch the physical keyboard is as good as any other blackberry and the on screen keyboard as good as any other other touch screen keyboard it has spell correction and suggestion is a great addition. the internet is fairly quick on GPRS/EGDE as 3G.
it is an amazing upgrade from any phone and good for first time BB users as well as seasoned users. Ok its no iphone or galaxy s but it is as good as and the battery lasts more than 6 hours which makes a change (vie had an h&c desire, iphone)
4* out of 5 VERY GOOD RIM
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mobile2010
October 17th 2010
7. well so disappointed with RIM...yes there are the leader for email, but come on, apple are nice looking, androids are incredible and will over take the market within 24 months!, windows7, well if i had as much funds as microsoft i would launch anything just for the hell of it.. it will only crash burn and have a few% of the market...
apple geeks - apples are nice, but overall its a want, and not always fulfils the needs...
android.. well they are getting there and i think this will suprise many... they great!... e.g htc desire hd... missing a few things..
so RIM... heres a answer... 2 devices..
1) for business users ---
better o/s
faster browing
better battery life
2) for consumers...
12Mp camera
front and back
oled screen with 1080p HD res
super extended battery life...
wifi n, 4g, 5g, bluetooth, miniusb 3.0, headpohne jack, buttons for camera, super slick phone, button + camera...
http - make it faster then all other phones!
email - do what u do best... make it super fast.
apps - what the hell is rim doing.. make some apps... apple and android are ruling the world... sort it out make it open so everyone and there dog can make the dam apps!..
overall.. rim.. u are losing customers....
i only use it cos its my work phone,, but my personal phone.. i have gone to HTC...
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biberkopf
September 27th 2010
6. The stability, charge and security of the BB Torch really means something when you have a job with responsibilities. I do wish it had a 1Gz chip however.
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johncharles661
September 9th 2010
5. I have a Curve and am looking to upgrade. A key feature for me is UMA (no signal at home)- does the Torch have it?
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garethtbeavis
August 26th 2010
4. @bradavon - changed, thanks for picking that up!
@timi92 we always appreciate feedback - what is it you feel we're poor on?
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mjpower4
August 26th 2010
3. I was hoping for much more from this handset - but first I agree with previous contributors the review is poor and there are better ones around even on the 'berry' websites which are more in depth and objective. As a Bold 9700 user I was hoping this would be my next handset and a move forward but on looking at various reviews it is more of a stuttering step than a leap forward. RIM need to decide where they are going - weither business specific ora more wider userbase as the main selling point of BBM will be lost if the technology is far behind it's competitiors.
This would have benefitted from a really fast processor, plenty of ram and slick interface instead my Bold will suffice until the end of the year and then a future with adroid or apple beckons - A real shame
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bradavon
August 25th 2010
2. I like the idea of a touchscreen and keyboard phone. Does this have pinch to zoom in the web browser? The review isn't clear. It has to really.
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bradavon
August 25th 2010
1. "In our tests, the Torch lasted about five hours on one charge, which is about what the specs claim, and is much longer than some of the recent Android models, including the Desire."
You mean 5 days surely? If so, that's excellent but 5 hours would be awful.
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