Bloggers and tech pundits have gotten their hands the BlackBerry 9800 Torch and are writing their first impressions. With opinions varying, we thought our readers needed a review of all the first impressions and hands-on with the latest hybrid BlackBerry.
All reviewers thought that BlackBerry 9800 Torch is an major improvement over previous BlackBerry smartphones, with a much better browser, touchscreen, unified search,social networking, new OS, and an over good solid feel. The keyboard works well and was smooth to operate. Many agree that when compared to other hi-resolution smartphones the touchscreen is too small but BlackBerry addicts are thrilled and enjoying a new wow experience.
Update 08/08/20 - Reviewers of the BlackBerry Torch liked most of the new features but would like to have seen more screen and power.
Summaries of the first impressions we reviewed follow. For all the details and specs of the BlackBerry 9800 Torch, please read our official release of the BlackBerry Torch coverage.
Lance Ulanoff at PCMag notes that although the BlackBerry Torch is not an iPhone killer and says it will not and should not fail. He calls his BlackBerry Bold subpar to the new BlackBerry Torch, a product of smart thinking. He thought it looked and felt good, he liked the gesture driven interface and thought it was a phone he could use. He calls the Torch and the OS 6 innovations." With the BlackBerry Torch, RIM
will recapture the hearts of devoted BlackBerry users, and turn the
heads of those shopping around for a new QWERTY smartphone."
Sascha Segan also at PCMag wrote the BlackBerry Torch "isn't all-new and all-different, but it's new and different enough." It felt solid and he was happy to see the universal search.
Ubergizmo reported "All in all, this good progress."
Nilay Patel at Engadget called the hardware "quite nice" with keyboard
like the Tour/Bold. The software overwhelms the hardware at times.
Boy Genius wrote the hardware was typical BlackBerry and great, very
solid but the software was uninspired and clunky sometimes. The keyboard
is perfect with disappointing, and the screen is laughable(too small.)
The BlackBerry OS is a leap Up.
Vincent Nguyen at SlashGear wrote "we're certainly impressed with the build quality."
The OS is an improvement. The BlackBerry Torch would have been a hit if
it were released last year, however its hardware spec pale in
comparison to high-res touchscreen competitors and not good enough to
lure away iPhone or Android users.
Team CrackBerry was the most enthusiastic. They found the it to feel
"amazing" with a surprizingly thin and smooth to operate. The BlackBerry
OS is "WOW." The browser is the what a BlackBerry Browser should be.