Concensus Of Opinion

I'm getting a Torch on Monday from Vodafone, now spread across many threads and forums there seems to be a very mixed opinion of it so what i'm really trying to find out is, is it good or bad?

Really interested in views of VodafoneUK users as the one person i know of who had one sent it back as in his opinion it was buggy and laggy.

I have a 9700 which i really love the battery life of but having used iPhone 3G-4 and a Desire previously i find the trackpad fiddly to browse the UI/Web.

I'm hoping the Torch will give me the best of both worlds with touchscreen and hardware choices.

The one thing i will try not to do when using the Touchscreen is compare it with iPhone as that's not what it is and IMO that's where a lot of the negativity comes from.

Over to you guys and thanks

As long as you upgrade to .246, it's an amazing phone. It was a fairly painful process to do simple things on earlier OS releases due to bugs, but nearly all have been corrected. It's the best Blackberry I've ever had.. Coming from a 9700 myself, I struggle to find things I miss.. The only things that come to mind are that the 9700's screen is crisper and the keyboard has a better feel to it, but I wouldn't go back to a 9700 unless my only other option was physical pain.

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Keyboard shortcuts aren't needed as much. For example, pinch to zoom and double-tap as well as swiping make web browsing more enjoyable and efficient.

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I had both the 9650 and 9700 before the Torch and although it has been very difficult to leave the "classic" form factor I have now settled in with my Torch. However, this is my 3rd one! The first one had a creakiness and unstable feel to the slide-out keyboard when typing. The second one had the "wobble" of the main slide screen so much that it felt like a surepress storm. I finally have one that is absolutely perfect and with the new update to .246 I am finally happy to use the Torch full time. I think I was swapping SIM cards with my 9700 every once in awhile and was not quite "sold" on the Torch because of the build quality of the first 2 devices. If your unit does not come with .246 already on it make sure you update first thing because it is a much better and smoother experience. Check the build quality to before you bring it home. A little "play" in the screen is normal but if it shifts from side to side or you can actually depress it and it bounces get a different one. The reps all told me that was normal and I insisted they bring out another one. We then compared my present device to the one i was exchanging and the collective look on the reps faces was "sh@% we are gonna have a few returns!" So don't settle for the "it's a slider and gonna be loose" excuse. It is the best Blackberry I have owned so far.

Unfortunately for me, the Torch didn't give me the experience I hoped (me two I was hoping to merge my Bold and iPod touch into one machine but the touchscren elements on the Torch just didn't live up to expectations) so I went back to my 9700. To play it safe, don't get rid of your 9700 and try the Torch out as much as you can during your return window. That way if it doesn't suit your needs, there is no loss.

Sorry dude but you're going to find mixed opinions here too. Whether a device is "good or bad" is completely subjective and depends on the user. For me, it's the best device I've ever owned. Others have gone back to their old devices or a different platform. To each their own.

I'm not on Vodaphone but rather AT&T in the states. I had a lot of concerns at first too. I took a chance, bought it and immediately upgraded the factory OS. I couldn't be more satisfied with it. I know you wanted opinions from users on your same carrier. I just wanted to let you know your concerns ard shared among many users on various carriers so I hope you don't mind me responding. Best of luck on your decision.

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tHis is a great device. Get it. the first week or so with it; i was having second thoughts. but after getting to know i am so glad i got it. it works great. no complaints at all. this device is solid. it looks and feels very professional. this phone is so old school in a good way. its old school like clint eastwood and sylvester stallone. its great. im so glad i have it. I'm typing this on a train to NY.
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That's a good point proto, the longer I've had the Torch, the more I love it. I also had second thoughts for the first couple weeks and now I adore this phone.

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The reviews were mixed before the 2xx builds were leaked. Now, opinions are generally favourable. Either that, or the torch haters that used to frequent these forums a couple months ago got bored and left.

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I suggest you play with one first for a little before getting it. At the end of the day it doesn't matter what the tech media and the rest of us here on CB say...the only opinion that matters, is yours.

Cheers everyone,

BB Guy that is my intention which is why i ordered over the phone as with VodafoneUK i get 7 days to return it if i don't like.