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

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've struggled with how to review this phone. I've decided to give it 4 stars as a phone, its intended purpose, to receive and send phone calls, it's reception is phenomenal. Quite simply, the best reception I've ever had. I have reception in places that nobody has reception in. I've heard the same from many other Blackberry users. BB has the best cell phone reception, period, and the race isn't even close.
Time for my complaints:
1. Very few instructions on a single sheet, no booklet, and no idea where to go to find out how to set this phone up. The abbreviated setup instructions do not even tell you how to load the battery. I had to Google it. If you get one of these phones, go to the Blackberry website and they have videos for how to do everything on this phone. I question why there wasn't any supporting paperwork in the box telling me to go there. They made all of those nice videos, but nobody would know they were there on the Blackberry website.
2. The battery cover on the back is a nightmare to pry off and you will have to pry it off just to put the battery in place. The directions on the BB website show using your thumb in the middle and that just won't work. The battery cover on the white phone is a flexible plastic. Pressing in the center just collapses the cover into an unseen cavity within the phone. Instead, you will have to use a tool, like a nail file, and take your time prying it from the top edges, not the middle, and be careful not to slip and scratch your camera lens.
3. As far as functioning as a smartphone, I have to say that I hate the touchscreen. Thank goodness it also has the little trackpad at the bottom or I'd never be able to maneuver around the screens on this phone. The touchscreen is not sensitive enough. I often find myself having to click the screen 3-5 times with my fingertips to get a button, like "Save" to acknowledge my intentions, very frustrating!
4. The screens often pixelate and are slow to load.
5. The quality control on these phones is horrible. My phone arrived with much of the white paint around the screen looking smudged with gray steel showing through. Upon further inspection, I realized that it had been smudged and then clear-coated over the top, sealing in the defect forever. I should have sent it back, but after reading many other Torch reviews that complained of the same thing, I realized that I might get one in worse shape and I couldn't wait to receive another one because this is a business phone for me, so I bought a snap-on case to put on the phone so I don't have to look at it. Problem solved.
There are a lot of nice things about the phone, too:
1. Decent selection of apps and pre-loaded with apps for Facebook and Twitter, along with several others.
2. Great handling of email and text messages, as is expected from Blackberry.
3. Great camera quality for a cell phone.
4. Heavyweight phone, which I prefer to the ones that feel like a child's toy phone.
5. Slide out keyboard, which is a must for me. The keyboard is a little smaller than those on a regular BB and some may find the keys to be too close together, but I've already become used to it.
6. Did I mention the reception?
Bottom Line: If you need a phone that won't drop calls every 5 seconds, this is the phone for you. As a phone, you won't find a better one and that's why this phone gets 4 stars from me. I had to ding it a star for the other things I've mentioned. Keep this in mind, it's very unprofessional to be out in the field with business calls dropping constantly. People get very irate and it could cost me business, so BB gets a 4-star rating, mostly due to its phenomenal reception.
By the way, I purchased this from Amazon Wireless. Best of luck to you on choosing a cell phone. I researched for two days before buying this one and I'm very happy to have a phone that actually has a signal!

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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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