BlackBerry Torch 9800 Phone, Red (AT&T) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had this phone since December, just a week over 30 days. Today I noticed a chip of paint coming off the slider part of the phone. This is a part of the phone that doesn't touch anything else, not sure why it's chipping. I haven't dropped my phone, don't have a cover on it that would cause it to wear off and don't put it in my pocket or any other rough carrier. I've done a search online and found this seems to be a common problem, but it's not been addressed by Blackberry. I can only imagine what my phone is going to look like after having it for a year or more, very disappointed in the cosmetic aspect of the phone.
I have also noticed that the lock button on top of the phone is very very sensitive. It will unlock itself when you pick it up, lay it down...etc. There is an extra locking/security feature where you can add a password, but it won't lock until it's been inactive for a full minute. This also seems to be a widely reported issue with the Torch, but again not addressed by Blackberry.
The phone works well, I'm still learning some of the software. The apps are lacking, nothing as fancy as an iPhone, but then if you want fancy apps you probably are looking at the iPhone or Droid anyway. The operating system seems to be average, it doesn't lag and I've surfed the internet, downloaded items and had multiple tabs open. The camera is nice as well, takes good close up photos and does well in low light and outside. However, I'm not impressed with how you have to retrieve photos or other files.
Phone calls are clear, and the person on the other end can hear you clearly too with no echo. The phone is awkward when you have to let it go for a minute and try to hold it with your shoulder so I definitely suggest some type of bluetooth if you like to talk hands free. The touch screen responds well, but around the edges it shows poor manufacturing again and doesn't look like it's glued down very well. It's also difficult to open the slider part one-handed without touching the screen constantly with a decent amount of pressure, which I'm sure will wear the screen down even faster.
All in all the phone is a decent upgrade, but I'm very glad I didn't pay full price for it. It still bugs me that the paint is chipping as I've treated this thing like a baby, you shouldn't have to put up with that at any price. It hasn't really wow'ed me like I thought it would, and while it's my first Blackberry device, I expected more and will probably look at other Smartphones when I buy again.

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The first BlackBerry smartphone to feature the highly anticipated BlackBerry 6 OS, the BlackBerry Torch offers a unique design that features a hi-resolution touchscreen display, slide-down full QWERTY keyboard, and optical trackpad. Packed with business tools as well as socially connected apps, the Torch also provides a desktop-like browsing experience via its 3.2-inch touchscreen, which enables you to navigate quickly through full-page views, multitask with tabbed browsing, and see the details with Pinch to Zoom.

The intuitive new BlackBerry 6 OS includes a rich graphical interface and new touch menus for quick access to your next action or needed application (learn more below). It includes a set of pre-loaded apps to get you started, including Bloomberg, ESPN, The Weather Channel, and Slacker Radio content in addition to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and more. It also includes Universal Search, group messaging for collaboration, and AT&T's Web Video Search--a unique new app that searches video content from over 70 major Internet video Web sites.

Enabled for use on AT&T's lightning quick HSPDA 3G network, you'll be able to easily access the Internet as well as quickly download video, music and more. Additionally, with AT&T's 3G network, you can make a call while simultaneously receiving picture/text messages and e-mail or viewing Web pages. This GPS-enabled phone can access the AT&T Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions. See more details on optional AT&T services below.

And with its built-in Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11 b/g/n), you'll be able to access home and business networks as well as enjoy seamless connectivity at over 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots for no additional cost (with qualifying AT&T smartphone plan).

In addition to its advanced messaging capabilities and access to business and productivity applications, the BlackBerry Torch also includes a 5-megapixel camera/camcorder with continuous auto focus and image stabilization. It comes with 4 GB of internal storage plus an included 4 GB microSD memory card for 8 GB of storage right out of the box. Other features include Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, media sync capabilities with iTunes and Windows Media Player desktop software, and up to 5.8 hours of talk time.


Key Features
Tri-band 3G connectivity via AT&T's HSDPA/UMTS network (850/1900/2100 MHz bands; 3.6/7.2 Mbps speeds with network availability) and quad-band EDGE support for the option of voice service in more than 220 countries; data service in more than 195 countries and 3G connectivity in more than 125 countries--including Japan and South Korea.
Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go. Connect for free using one of the over 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide (requires qualifying AT&T smartphone plan).
GPS navigation capabilities via AT&T Navigator service includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options.
3.2-inch touch-enabled display with 360 x 480-pixel resolution, 65K color depth, light sensor, proximity detection, and accelerometer
35-key full QWERTY backlit slide-out keyboard designed to feel optimally balanced when opened for typing.
Optical trackpad makes navigation fast and smooth
BlackBerry 6 OS retains the familiar BlackBerry features while adding fresh, powerful new tools to your mobile communications arsenal.
Support for BlackBerry App World featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include travel, productivity, entertainment, games, social networking and sharing, news and weather, and more.
Powerful 624 Mhz processor
5-megapixel camera with flash, continuous auto focus, image stabilization, scene modes, geo-tagging and zoom
Video capture capabilities at up to 640 x 480-pixel resolution
Multi-format digital media player compatible with Windows Media DRM 10 for music and video plus MP3, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, FLAC, MPEG4, and H.264.
Wi-Fi Music Sync allows you to view your entire iTunes or Windows Media Player music libraries, create and edit playlists as well as select music for download. When in range of their home Wi-Fi network (or via USB), the changes are synced with iTunes or Windows Media Player and the songs are automatically downloaded to the smartphone.
Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
4 GB internal storage
Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB.
Integrated access to the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace
Text and multimedia messaging includes group messaging with "reply all" functionality for up to 10 contacts plus new Locations feature.
Rich WebKit-based browser renders HTML web pages (as well as HTML e-mail) quickly and features tabs for accessing multiple sites simultaneously. You can also double-tap to zoom, intelligently wrapping text in a column while maintaining the placement of a page's key elements.
Voice activated dialing
3.5mm stereo headset jack

Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Torch weighs 5.68 ounces and measures 4.37 x 2.44 x 0.57 inches when closed (5.8 x 2.44 x 0.57 inches when open). Its 1300 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.8 hours of talk time, and up to 432 hours (18 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as AT&T's dual-band 3G network (850/1900 MHz; HSDPA/UMTS) plus 2100 MHz overseas 3G networks.

What's in the Box
BlackBerry Torch handset, rechargeable battery, charger, 4 GB microSD memory card, wired stereo hands-free headset, USB cable, polishing cloth, quick start guide, BlackBerry User Tools CD-ROM

BlackBerry 6 OS
The BlackBerry 6 OS features a redesigned interface that seamlessly works with both touchscreen and trackpad, includes expanded messaging capabilities with intuitive features to simplify the management of social networking and RSS feeds (Social Feeds), and provides integrated access to the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and a variety of instant messaging applications. And its enhanced multimedia experience includes a dedicated YouTube app and Podcasts app.
Advanced Messaging
Messaging has always been a core element of the BlackBerry smartphone experience. With BlackBerry's push e-mail technology, your e-mail will find you without having to initiate a connection. And with the new Text Messages application on the BlackBerry Torch, with support for AT&T's next-generation messaging experience, you'll enjoy group messaging with "reply all" functionality for up to 10 contacts and AT&T's Locations feature.

Locations lets you easily search for points of interest, businesses, and even the your own location, and insert this information directly into a message--all without leaving the messaging application. Using group messaging and locations together, you can arrange to meet a group of friends easily by sending one message to all of them, discussing together where to meet and then sending a map in one threaded conversation.
Rich PC-like Web Browsing
Enjoy a full-fidelity, desktop-like browsing experience with the revamped BlackBerry Web browser, which includes intuitive motions like pinching and zooming and tabs that let you swap between multiple Web pages.
Universal Search
Looking for something? The new universal search feature scans your folders, apps, Internet, e-mail, music, videos and more all in one search and doesn't stop until it finds what you're looking for.
Multitasking Made Easy
Multitasking is just another one of those things BlackBerry has been doing right, from the beginning. Now RIM has gone a step above with multi-connectivity, which means your apps stay connected whether you're using them or not. Regardless of what you're doing, e-mails, messages, updates, and notifications keep coming through.
All Media, All The Time
With BlackBerry 6, the multimedia experience has been completely overhauled, enabling you to carry, watch and share your videos, pictures, files and more. With Remote Media Sync you can now access your home music library right from your BlackBerry smartphone. Scrolling through your music is as easy as swiping through album art. And you can watch and subscribe to podcasts that are pushed to you as soon as they're available.
Corporate Connections
For corporate users, this BlackBerry device delivers all the enterprise e-mail and messaging capabilities you've come to expect. It's supported on the BlackBerry Internet Service, giving you access to up to 10 work or personal e-mail accounts (including most popular ISP e-mail accounts), as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments.

AT&T Services

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