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Here is my story:
I had a Bold 9000, got sick of its slow performance as it only had 128 MB of memory.
Then I bought a 9700, I was much happier with it as it had 256 MB of memory, and although the screen was a bit smaller, the higher pixel resolution and clarity makes up for it. Keyboard were good on both, big hard buttons.
Then I got tempted to get the 9780 as OS 6 would perform much smoother on the 9780 as it has 512 MB of memory, but it wasn't getting released anytime during the month of September, so I did the biggest mistake, I got the Torch!
I was playing with the Torch for the first 3 days non stop, I enjoyed the touch screen, it was cool to think that you can touch the screen to select stuff!
However, come to real world usability; why does one buy a BlackBerry? Mostly due to the excellent push email feature, and the BlackBerry Messenger, I thought oh well, I have a physical keyboard, so I can type easily no need to type on the touch screen.
Here was my disappointment, the keyboard purely sucks in comparison to the Bold Keyboards! It is very flat out and when you press a button it doesn't feel so sturdy, I was typing to letters at the same time always and mine you, I have average sized fingers.
Next, the battery, RIM sports a bigger screen on the Torch, touch sensitivity, so it is pure to think that they will equip it with a higher capacity battery or at least similar to the Bold; well guess what? They put a lower capacity battery to makes things a total disaster!
Bold Battery Capacity = 1500 mAH
Torch Battery Capacity = 1150 mAH (just like the cheap Curves or Pearls)
I couldn't get threw the day with the battery unless I turn off WiFi, turn the screen britghtness down, ensure that facebook app is closed!
Wow! I pay an arm and a leg for a phone and have to disable all these nice features just to be able to use it for 1 day. heh
Further more, the phone is too heavy, too big, you cannot put it in a purse or a pocket without feeling its bulkiness.
And as I couldn't and hated typing on the Touch screen, the physical keyboard was slid down 90% of the time, which made the phone look horrible!
Thank god, CompuMe here in Dubai had a 7 day return policy, and on the 6th day, I did the right thing, I returned it back and got a 9700 AGAIN!
as there was no 9780
After 2 weeks, the 9780 got released! I bought it on the spot for $600 USD (retail price, yes, I didn't care, I love BlackBerries, and I had to had the best of em) I then sold my 9700 a week later for $400 USD
The 9780 is awsome! Amazing keyboard! The OS feels snappier on the 9780 as it has no touch screen to take eat up my resources (CPU resources that is), the trackpad is much better, the Torch trackpad although looks similar, it is not, it is a little bit bulged out, which makes scrolling not so smooth and continous, it often jerked while I was scrolling, if you don't have a completely dry finger at all times, then the trackpad of the torch will cause you to almost break the phone! The 9780 trackpad always works no matter if my finger was dry, damp, wet, Bolds just have a certain quality in their build not found on any other phone!
Finally, the size of the 9780 and battery are just perfect! you can't beat this great combination!
Good luck on your choice.01-25-11 09:47 PM - @rcklss. I'll give you my opinion and answer your question as a Torch owner.....since it released last year.
Battery Life:
If/when you do get a Torch, the battery life may be influenced by the number apps and the frequency of the updates. The settings on some of the apps can be set to update from 10 min and up to several hours. I try to stagger mind so I don't have 5-6 apps updating at the same time. I use mine to the full capacity with numerous apps. Some don't Also settings on the device can be adjusted to help with the battery life(adjusting scren display). I start using my Torch (off/on) starting at 05:30 - 12:00am. I could probably get close to a day. But, I've never let any of my Blackberries get below 35% without topping off the charge. I'm on call 24/7 and I utilize mine for work as well.
Anyway, the single charge numbers regarding the battery life are all over the spectrum and very subjective- good or bad.
Keyboards:
The slide-out keyboard and the virtual keyboard are easy to master with time, patience, practice, and the mindset that you're going to make it work for you.....or just return it. I (like others) wasn't happy with the 9700 keyboard as an original BOLD owner and got over it.
OS:
My wife has the original OS that shipped with the device and it works fine for her. I'm a beta/hybrid junkie. So, I have no problem updating and/or abusing my Blackberry. FYI. There are some very good hybrids out there. This is the best Blackberry to date....on at&t. Can't speak against any others that I haven't tried or owned.
Off-Topic:
Also, two of the devices the BOLD and 9700) referenced in the "story" are an actual indication of the progression regarding RIM moving forward with their devices. Maybe not as fast as other companies, but, moving forward at their own pace. As an Addict, the BOLD and 9700 were excellent Blackberry devices that were owned and used by me over the years ......not days and weeks. Hope this helps and good luck.
01-25-11 11:47 PM - You're not helping the discussion with those type of comments. You really don't want to go there......do you? There are numerous members that are claiming 2+ days battery life. I'm not one of them. As long as I have chargers, no biggee. So, don't start something that I (or others) won't have a problem finishing, ML,....at all. The MODs are not the only ones looking over your shoulder.I would love to see a Torch that lasts 2 days with heavy usage
01-26-11 07:01 AM - I am talking from a 7 day experience with the Torch after returning it.You're not helping the discussion with those type of comments. You really don't want to go there......do you? There are numerous members that are claiming 2+ days battery life. I'm not one of them. As long as I have chargers, no biggee. So, don't start something that I (or others) won't have a problem finishing, ML,....at all. The MODs are not the only ones looking over your shoulder.
Yeah sure, you may get 2 days of usage by turning down the brightness, turning off almost everything, setting the bakclight time to the minimum, and not using facebook, GPS, and all of the nice features of the phone.
That is not how the phone was built to be used. IMHO, if you should be able to use your phone to its max potential.
When I had it and was using OS 337, not even using facebook or social feeds, I could barely make it through the day.
I am not trying to start a flame war here but it really surprised me how come can get 2 days out of a 1140 mAH bbattery with a large screen.
01-26-11 07:54 AM - Just admit that you're mad that you had to give up your beloved Torch for a Bold 9780 (i have nothing against that phone). And seeing how you love to hang around the 9800 boards is another clear indication. You sorta seem desperate for someone to hear your pain... or something.I am talking from a 7 day experience with the Torch after returning it.
Yeah sure, you may get 2 days of usage by turning down the brightness, turning off almost everything, setting the bakclight time to the minimum, and not using facebook, GPS, and all of the nice features of the phone.
That is not how the phone was built to be used. IMHO, if you should be able to use your phone to its max potential.
When I had it and was using OS 337, not even using facebook or social feeds, I could barely make it through the day.
I am not trying to start a flame war here but it really surprised me how come can get 2 days out of a 1140 mAH bbattery with a large screen.01-26-11 08:31 AM - Yeah, we know "exactly" how long you have had your Torch.....and your other Blackberries. You don't work for RIMs' R & D and neither do I. So, whether you or I are getting two days out of a battery charge are our opinions. I'm cool with it and it is still an awesome device. But, I personally, don't see the benefit to try and put someone on the spot to prove something as "subjective" as battery life.....to you. Either you're getting it (from a charge) or you're not. Nothing magic about it. Same with memory optimization or upgrading/downgrading your OS. All are "open season" for debates. Also.....the capacity is 1270 on my 9800 battery.I am talking from a 7 day experience with the Torch after returning it.
Yeah sure, you may get 2 days of usage by turning down the brightness, turning off almost everything, setting the bakclight time to the minimum, and not using facebook, GPS, and all of the nice features of the phone.
That is not how the phone was built to be used. IMHO, if you should be able to use your phone to its max potential.
When I had it and was using OS 337, not even using facebook or social feeds, I could barely make it through the day.
I am not trying to start a flame war here but it really surprised me how come can get 2 days out of a 1140 mAH bbattery with a large screen.
01-26-11 09:56 AM
