BlackBerry Torch 9810 Pro Reviews

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 feels like an incremental step for RIM. The previous handset had obvious problems, some of which are addressed here, but we also feel that the 9810 is the phone the 9800 should have been. That sets this handset behind the times a little and that's certainly not helped by a user interface that lacks the consumer ease that you'll find in iOS, Android or Windows Phone 7. That may all be set to change with the advent of BB 10, which should make an appearance at Mobile World Congress 2012. As such, we can't strongly recommend the BlackBerry Torch 9810 if you're interested in upgrading now. If you're happy with the BlackBerry experience and value both screen space and a physical keyboard, then this style of device might be for you, but we'd suggest you bide your time and see what's coming next, before committing.

The Torch 9810's Qwerty keyboard is fine, so there are no surprises there for dyed-in-the-wool BB Messenger fans. Moreover, those already sold on the platform will find the Torch delivers the best of both worlds with its upgraded higher res display being a decent size for browsing, watching movies and gaming too. Indeed, this combination, along with a fairly nifty performance may well win RIM some new friends along the way.

The Torch 9810 almost sparks our interest as a relevant device... almost. RIM's definitely aiming for the sky by making a leap in the internal components of its phones, turning it (and the Bold Touch 9930) into the most powerful handsets Research in Motion has ever sold. With the upcoming QNX platform, however, it may be too little too late. Sure, the device is solid and smooth and has great internal specs, but is it one that we'd feel comfortable using on a regular basis? Especially when we have an inkling as to what's around the corner for the BlackBerry lineup? It's hard to justify plunking down hard-earned cash and committing to a two-year contract for a device that'll likely be obsolete a few months from now, but BlackBerry enthusiasts will enjoy using the Torch 9810 because it's a much more powerful phone than what they've been used to in the past. Newcomers? Probably not so much, given the large number of choices out there with a fresher user experience. It's a notch above any BlackBerry that's been released already, but it seems to be a victim of its own design and circumstance. The 9810, alongside the Torch 9850 and Bold Touch 9900, is as good an indication as any that RIM isn't close to giving up. But first it must do a better job of catching up. The Torch 9810 may very well be at the end of the road, but we'll see if RIM can switch back onto the right path.

The Torch 9810 is basically a Bold Touch rebodied into a slider. The key absence is NFC but the Torch is a different breed, more likely to mix business with pleasure. So the bigger screen gives more credibility to its improved media skills. Another important difference is the QWERTY keyboard. We found the one on the Torch 9810 slightly less comfortable than that of the Bold Touch. Only just though - and still incomparably better than having no physical keys at all. Most BlackBerry users will agree, we think.

The RIM BlackBerry Torch 9810 should satisfy BlackBerry fans with its responsive touch screen and overall specs, but for $50 more, T-Mobile customers could get the much better Bold 9900 instead.

Here’s the truth: had the Torch 9810 been RIM’s original Torch — released a year ago — I might very well still be a BlackBerry user. RIM would have had a phone on the market with a really solid browser, snappy performance, and a decent screen. And that probably would have been enough for me at the time — I suspect that will still be the case for diehard BlackBerry fans. It isn’t as thin as the new Bold and the keyboard isn’t as good, but it is over $150 cheaper on contract at AT&T. Regardless, I suspect either device will keep BlackBerry addicts content. However, for someone like myself, an Android convert, neither the new Torch nor Bold provide what it takes to reel me back in. I’ve seen the other side — the beauty of a large app catalog, an OS that is modern to the core, and was designed for finger input. If RIM wants to win me or the rest of the market back, the next Torch, well, needs not to be a Torch at all.

Casual BlackBerry users will likely find the Torch 9810 pleasantly fast, quirky and a little bit charming. Those who love physical keyboards will adore that of the 9810 – but it’s not any better than the keyboards on other BlackBerry handsets. The touchscreen, while bright and responsive, is a bit too small to really be taken advantage of. Call functionality is excellent, and data speeds on AT&T’s HSPA+ are better than 3G, but far slower than other carriers’ 4G options.

The problem for the Torch is that it still doesn’t feel terribly modern, and the price is simply too high. The updates are welcome, yes, but now that the Bold is touch too – and with a screen that’s just as good – it feels as if it isn't only the rest of the smartphone market that’s left the Torch to flounder, but also RIM itself.

Overall, the Torch 9810 is a decent handset. It feels responsive to use, the screen is excellent and the physical keyboard is also good. However, the user interface feels a bit clunky and cobbled together, and isn’t likely to be all that friendly for those new to Blackberry devices. So at the end of the day, this is a good Blackberry, but it's also a long way off troubling the best of the smartphones on the market right now.

If you're obsessed with the BlackBerry Torch form factor, then we heartily recommend the BlackBerry Torch 9810 and wish you luck. But faced with the choice, we'd take the Bold 9900 anytime. The only benefit we can see is that this now will make the original 9800 cheaper, so you could get that on a good deal. Let's hope Mike Lazaridis and Co up their game by this time next year. Although at this rate, we'll not get too excited.

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 for AT&T is a very solid messaging phone, but the app revolution seems to have passed it by.

Overall, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 is a little underwhelming. It isn't a huge step up from the original Torch, but HD video capture, the sharper display, and the updates in BlackBerry 7 OS are welcome upgrades. AT&T doesn't have many Android phones with QWERTY keyboards (with the exception of the HTC Status), so the Torch 9810 might be a good alternative—especially at the superlow price. But when you pit the Torch 9810 against other AT&T offerings such as the Motorola Atrix and the iPhone 4, it seems stale and boring.

While I have to admit to liking the BlackBerry Torch 9810 more than I did the original 9800 model, it's still a device that best suits RIM's existing user base. It's the most modern BlackBerry around, but it still lags behind the other major smartphone platforms on the market today. All of them. I really like the hardware, though it's still a bit of a handful when opened up. In spite of it's fast processor, gobs of RAM, and HSPA+ data, the phone still feels slow too often. That's not acceptable and shows some not insignificant issues that exist with the BlackBerry platform.

Overall, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 is a little underwhelming. It isn't a huge step up from the original Torch, but HD video capture, the sharper display, and the updates in BlackBerry 7 OS are welcome upgrades. There aren't many Android phones with QWERTY keyboards (with the exception of the HTC Status), so the Torch 9810 might be a good alternative--especially at the superlow price. But when you pit the Torch 9810 against other offerings such as the Motorola Atrix and the iPhone 4, it seems stale and boring. If you're an absolute BlackBerry fanatic, you'll be pleased with the Torch 9810, but possibly even more enticed by the BlackBerry Bold 9900, which has NFC support and a better keyboard.

On the one hand, RIM has done just what we asked it to: given the Torch a faster turn of speed and a better display. Unfortunately, we asked for that twelve months ago, and otherwise – BB7 and 720p video notwithstanding – it’s basically the same smartphone as created a middling impression back in 2010.

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 won't wow newcomers with its tired old design, but its affordable price and much-improved specs should keep BlackBerry enthusiasts satisfied.

In all honesty, this is exactly what the original model should’ve been like from the beginning. In an age of dual-cores, the 1.2GHz single-core CPU of the Torch 9810 isn’t quite as captivating, and combining the fact that it recycles the original’s design in every way, it lacks any WOW factor. Besides the faster performance of OS 7 that we’re seeing, there’s nothing dramatically different or new to warrant existing Torch 9800 owners to make the jump. Unfortunately, BlackBerry Torch 9810 is a device that’s already behind the curve from day one.