BlackBerry Torch 9860 Smartphone Review

The Torch 9860 runs the BlackBerry 7 operating system, which we've encountered previously using the BlackBerry Bold 9900. Although the OS was designed mainly for phones with a traditional keyboard plus small screen, it functions perfectly nicely having a full touchscreen. The 9860 is equipped with an ample 1.2GHz processor and 768MB of RAM, so it responds with lightning speed as well. There's a choice of on-screen keyboards - portrait SureType®, QWERTY and multitap, and landscape QWERTY keyboards.

Emailing is no issue - this really is a BlackBerry, keep in mind? - and there's BB Messenger as well, of course. BlackBerry 7 integrates social media like facebook and twitter seamlessly into the messaging method. Internet browsing takes a leap forward on a screen of this size, compared with previous BlackBerries.

The Torch 9860 is extremely well connected. In addition to 3G HSPA operating at a speedy 14.4Mbps download, you will discover Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB and a three.5mm stereo audio jack. GPS is built in, and BlackBerry Maps is at its greatest on the big screen, even though it doesn't ever match Google Maps in user friendliness.

The Torch 9860 comes with 4GB of memory, and it can accept microSD cards up to 32GB.

You will be surprised by the camera on the 9860. With five megapixels, continuous autofocus along with a flash, it manages to do a fairly good job in most situations and is a replacement for a point-and-shoot digicam. It could also record video at 720p HD resolution and 30 frames per second. Videos are superb, and almost stutter-free, although they are not so great in low light.

Battery life is not among the Torch's strong points, which is a shame for a BlackBerry, which generally score nicely in this regard. The battery features a moderate capacity of just 1230 mAh, which really isn't enough to energy a device of this possible. It is no worse than the Android pack, but it'll require charging following a day's heavy use.

My be useful... ^_^