Mini Review: BlackBerry Torch 9800 from a 9700 P.O.V.
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After driving my a** off from Ottawa, I decided to drop by the AT&T store in Watertown, NY. Not knowing AT&T would actually have demo units scattered around, they surprised me. Turns out they had 2 working devices and one that's in the neon blue booth. Playing with the Torch was amazing. I found the touch screen to be responsive and quite quick through the main menu. I tried refraining from playing with the trackpad but I was so use to it with my 9700 and scrolling around was amazing. On the web browser, the cursor seemed so smooth and rolled around so easily. The pinch to zoom is great as well. While it's wasn't as smooth as the iPhone, it'll have to do, especially with all the new upcoming firmware leaks that RIM puts out, it's bound to get better.
My first impression of the screen quality was "boy, what are they saying it's not good enough? Seems great to me!" then I decided to walk over to the iPhone 4 section where they had 2 on display together, and oh wow... So it isn't as great as the iPhone's "Retina" display, but are you really going to look that close? What I found weird was that all the apps and icons are now located on the home page with the whole Android style slide up to reveal all the apps thing. It didn't bother me too much but it was something I'd definitely have to get use to in the new OS6. Now what was cool was the menu that showed all the notifications. That again seemed like a copy of the Android but it didn't bother me.
As for call quality, it was decent. I figured "Hey, not my phone. Mine as well make a long distance call" so I decided to call my paps in Canada. First call? Dropped... Now I can't say it's AT&T's fault. It could have been my fathers iPhone 3g on Rogers network in Ottawa... but I highly doubt it. I liked how RIM decided to put the sensor so when the phone was up to my ear, the screen would go black and be untouchable. Definitely copying the iPhone there... just saying. The dial pad was large, took up most of the screen which is expected and once I actually was able to get the call connected and stay connected, quality was good. As always. I put the volume full and there was no hissing or any nonsense. Good for ya RIM.
Web browsing is UNBELIEVABLE. This is coming from a Bold 9700. YES! to tabbed browsing and YES! to pinch to zoom. Nothing beats the ability to have multiple pages open. I didn't have any problems loading any websites in specific. Some took longer then others since I was on 3G instead of WiFi and all data from the BlackBerry is routed through RIM's server to compress it. I also dug the options menu to find the clear history button that CrackBerry Kevin pointed out. It's true, this is a porn-addicts phone.
Now as the keyboard goes, it's great! Better then my 9700, better then my previous 9000, and better then my previous 8900. It's about the same size as my 9700 and the keys are pretty much exactly the same, but you also have that clicky feeling that you get with the 8900 vs the Bold 9000 and 9700 where the keeps pretty much mushed down when you clicked it. That was just something that I felt I needed, the feeling of a good click. On screen keyboard was not as good in my opinion. Fat fingers = multiple letters pressed. It wasn't like the iPhone and it didn't have that good of an auto-correct either.
I played with the Camera a bit and noticed the whole layout has been changed. I couldn't really tell how good the quality of the pictures taken were from just viewing from the phone but they seemed decent enough, at least comparable to the iPhone 4. Picture snaps were fast and it was true. The sport mode was pretty much like a screen capture. I didn't get to play long with the video camera mode but it seemed to be an improvement over the 9700's video camera, but still no HD quality. Not sure why they didn't provide an HD option, especially since the phone came with 4gb of built in memory along with another 4gb microSD card.
The sliding mechanism was solid. It wasn't lose and didn't have those creaking noises or anything. Was smooth and perfect. Good snap back since I really hated some of those phones that don't snap back when you slide. I really like the weight of the phone. It's not too heavy but heavy enough to know that it's valuable and durable. That's not saying it can be thrown around and dropped, but it's one **** of a device. I'd say probably 1 and a half of the BlackBerry 9700's weight. Think about the phone as being a bigger Palm Pre and having a valuable feeling and not being light, cheap, and plastic.
So what didn't I like about the Torch 9800? The fact that they got rid of the left convenience key. I used that everyday constantly for random things like Twitter or a quick access to BBM and they got rid of that. I don't see any reason why they would. Also, the charging contacts. They just took it away! I charge my 9700 daily, every night actually, and the ability to come home, throw the phone on the dock, and fall asleep on my bed was great. Now I have to shuffle for the USB cable, stick it in the small MicroUSB port and avoid tripping over the cord causing my phone to fall over and smash onto my hardwood floor? Just a big hassle for me that other's might not care of.
So. As you can see. I have a small list of thing's i dislike about the phone which means I'll definitely be getting this phone. That 5.0 megapixel camera attracts my attention, the slideout keyboard is amazing and better then any other BlackBerry phone out, and the touchscreen without that stupid SurePress that the Storm and Storm2 had. Now I just have to somehow convince AT&T to sell me one without an account so I can bring it back here to Canada, unlock it, and use it with Rogers because I don't think I'll be able to wait till September or whenever "in a couple weeks" is.Last edited by andrewcjduong; 08-07-10 at 09:05 PM.
08-07-10 09:02 PMLike 0 - Decent review. I'm glad you found one to play with. When you say the on-screen keyboard lead to mis-typed words was it really that small or was it that you aren't used to the on-screen keyboard? I'm thinking about unlocking one, but want to wait for more reviews.08-07-10 09:13 PMLike 0
- I guess it's just not being use to it. It's not small at all. In fact, it was probably bigger then the iPhone's on screen keyboard.08-07-10 09:16 PMLike 0
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- I just left the AT&T Store, and had a look and feel of the Blackberry Torch 9800, I currently have a BB 9000 and think the phone is just great but most likely will never be upgraded. I found just a few real concerns on the Torch 9800, first the slide out keyboard's keys were very tiny compared to my BB 9000 I have large fingers and found it hard to type/hit the correct keys, the screen is too small and should have be 3.5 or 3.7, the slide out keyboard should have been in Landscape and not Portrait which would left lots of room for Good BB Keyboard. I agree with all other obervations and comment "Excellent Review" you made on the Torch 9800. I think it is a great phone, and if I can get pass the small keyboard I may get one. I will still keep my BB 9000! Juz Jose
Last edited by juz1jose; 08-07-10 at 09:57 PM.
08-07-10 09:41 PMLike 0 - I just left the AT&T Store, and had a look and feel of the Blackberry Torch 9800, I currently have a BB 9000 and think the phone is just great but most likely will never be upgraded. I found just a few real concerns on the Torch 9800, first the slide out keyboard's keys were very tiny compared to my BB 9000 I have large fingers and found it hard to type/hit the correct keys, the screen is too small and should have be 3.5 or 3.7, the slide out keyboard should have been in Landscape and not Portrait which would left lots of room for Good BB Keyboard. I agree with all other obervations and comment "Excellent Review" you made on the Torch 9800. I think it is a great phone, and if I can get pass the small keyboard I may get one. I will still keep my BB 9000! Juz Jose
I will agree the screen could have been bigger but I believe RIM did this because they wanted to keep the trackpad, enter, blackberry menu, return, and end buttons where they were.08-07-10 10:08 PMLike 0 - Also, the charging contacts. They just took it away! I charge my 9700 daily, every night actually, and the ability to come home, throw the phone on the dock, and fall asleep on my bed was great. Now I have to shuffle for the USB cable, stick it in the small MicroUSB port and avoid tripping over the cord causing my phone to fall over and smash onto my hardwood floor? Just a big hassle for me that other's might not care of.
BlackBerry Torch 9800 Accessories from OtterBox, Case-Mate, RIM | Accessorize Mobile
Heres the pic:
OEM Charging Dock for BlackBerry Torch 980008-07-10 11:44 PMLike 0 - Click the following link and look at the 4th pic down underneath the phone pics....an OEM charging dock for the Torch....
BlackBerry Torch 9800 Accessories from OtterBox, Case-Mate, RIM | Accessorize Mobile
Heres the pic:
OEM Charging Dock for BlackBerry Torch 980008-08-10 12:32 AMLike 0 -
- I will accidentally hit that even though I have used my Bold for years. I guess that would not be so much of a trouble.08-08-10 02:52 AMLike 0
- Well I am sure that RIM removed it because of the need to sit in the above posted dock, not because "newbs" hit the key.08-08-10 06:24 AMLike 0
- Awesome review! So makes me want to get one, just can't currently.... I will soon be messing with one and give a review as well, but pretty sure it will pail in comparison to yours....very nicely done!
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com08-08-10 06:45 AMLike 0 -
- 08-08-10 09:01 AMLike 0
- And did this cause problems? I never had a Storm so I don't know, it was just a guess. Why else would they? Other than newbs hitting it on accident?
Last edited by Najo; 08-08-10 at 09:13 AM.
08-08-10 09:06 AMLike 0 -
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com08-08-10 09:22 AMLike 0 -
Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com08-08-10 12:07 PMLike 0 -
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Bookmarks,
URL entry (on screen)
Home - its always been there.
etc
when you have the device in landscape mode; taping the home touch enabler - issue resolved. Oops I just used "G" on my BBBrowser (I use Bolt mostly right now) and that screen on my 9700 is the bookmarks screen; again tap shortcut icon will most likely relieve any reserves you have.08-08-10 12:32 PMLike 0 -
This feature would be expected of any touch screen phone, no? Did Ferrari copy Ford when they decided to use round wheels and tires?08-08-10 04:47 PMLike 0 -
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Mini Review: BlackBerry Torch 9800 from a 9700 P.O.V.
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