BlackBerry Torch 9860
Key specs
Critic consensus
“RIM has at last proved it can produce a workable toucscreen-only smartphone, finally laying the ghost of the Storm handsets to rest. But in doing so it raises another spectre. We're so used to a widget-based screen system that, on a handset with a 3.7in. display we were surprised to be faced with a blank home screen that requires you to draw up application menus. At the very least we'd like calendar reminders and/or a much larger time and date display in the blank space.”
“Compared to the competition, it's hard to know exactly who the BlackBerry 9860 is going to appeal to. For your average man on the street, mid-range Android handsets beat it for price and features (if not build), and have a much better stocked app store. And it certainly doesn't have the might to take on the likes of the iPhone 4S or Samsung Galaxy S II. This only leaves the corporate market and BlackBerry fans. With regards the former, the touchscreen form factor may not sit well with the majority of users, particularly when the typing experience isn't quite good enough. Likewise, don't BlackBerry fans buy them primarily for the keyboard anyway? Whatever the case, this certainly isn't a bad phone, just not one we'd outright recommend.”
“It's a slick package from afar, but using the BlackBerry Torch 9860 after the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S2, HTC Sensation and iPhone 4 feels like going back to 2009. There's lots to boast about on this phone, no doubt, but we just can't recommend it over the rest out there for anyone other than those desperately tied into RIM's services who want a slick new all-touch experience.”
“Some areas of the BlackBerry Torch 9860 feel a little antiquated as a consumer device. Diving into the menus you still need to save as you make changes. We also can't help feeling that, although the sliding app tray, and the choice of homescreen menus is useful, it isn't as dynamic as other operating systems. Without the app tray up, you're looking at a simple wallpaper, so you don't get the same sense of immediate control as you might from widgets, notification bar controls or lockscreen controls.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
The slender design of the Blackberry Torch 9860 makes it a great fit for anyone who wants a phone that is big enough to hold firmly in the hand but doesn’t feel bulky. The full, sharp screen is also a great feature. However, the keypad tends to be a turn-off for texting buffs. Overall, the phone is great, especially if you love media, but it does leave a few things to be desired.
The first thing you will notice is how different the device looks. RIM devices tend to have a number of defining features that make them easily identifiable. However, the BlackBerry Torch 9860 seems to be an exception to this rule. In fact, the BlackBerry logo and raised trackpad at the bottom of the screen are the only things that will remind you that this device is from RIM.
Most of the front part of the BlackBerry Torch 9860 is taken up by the 3.7-inch multitouch display that offers 16 million colors and a native resolution of 480×800 pixels. Its other features include a 5-megapixel camera with image capture and video recording capabilities, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, 4GB of internal storage, microUSB connectivity, and support for microSD/SDHC cards up to 32GB.
The BlackBerry Torch 9860 does not have a built-in hardware keyboard, which makes it quite difficult to use for messaging. If you do a lot of emailing or texting, you may want to consider a model with a full QWERTY keyboard instead. Overall, the build quality is solid, although the keys put on the sides for convenience are rather thin and can be easily missed during key presses.
This BlackBerry is great for people who want a versatile Web and multimedia device with a full display and a smooth finish. RIMfans who love the full keypad and general shape of most Blackberry devices may take a while to warm up to it, but it is fun to use. It is also great for anyone who wants to combine multiple functions with user-friendly features.
Need To Know: Blackberry Torch 9860
1. Works on a wide range of 2G and 3G networks globally. (The Good)
2. Comes with a fairly accurate voice-activated Universal Search function. (The Good)
3. You may have difficulties when using speakerphone during calls. (The Bad)
4. Speaker placement tends to get in the way of sound quality during phone calls. An easy fix involves resting the phone on a flat surface or simply using earphones. (The Bad)
What people actually want to know
When was the BlackBerry Torch 9860 released?
The BlackBerry Torch 9860 was released on August 16, 2011.
How long does the battery last on the BlackBerry Torch 9860?
The BlackBerry Torch 9860 has a 1,230 mAh battery.
Does the BlackBerry Torch 9860 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the BlackBerry Torch 9860 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Where can I download the BlackBerry Torch 9860 manual?
You can view and download the BlackBerry Torch 9860 manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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