BlackBerry Torch 9850 / Reviews

Not to say that this is a useless device. Per the BlackBerry standard, it still has excellent email and communication capabilities, and some aspects of the new OS 7 interface are a step up from OS 6 and previous iterations. But I said this about the Bold 9930 and I'll say it about every other BlackBerry OS 7 device: you're better off waiting until RIM's QNX OS-based BlackBerrys hit the market. Then, I suspect, you'll be in for something new and different.

Read original review at Brighthand.

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If you’re a BlackBerry fan with Verizon who just has to have an all touch device, the $200 BlackBerry Torch 9850 is obviously your only choice but it’s a pretty terrible one. Do yourself a favor: duct tape your busted old Curve back together and hold out for the BlackBerry Colt.

Read original review at BGR.

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Unless you’re a true BlackBerry enthusiast, the Torch 9850 is a tough sale. It’s not a terrible phone, but it really is hard to recommend it over a device like the Samsung Conquer 4G, which has more to offer at a lower price. There are just too many blunders to overlook and I can’t see them improving via software updates. The Torch 9850 was a gallant effort, but in order to produce a full touchscreen device worth someone’s hard earned money, RIM seriously needs to go back to the drawing board.

Read original review at SprintFeed.

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The BlackBerry Torch 9850 is a bit of an anomaly, much like RIM's previous efforts at an all-touchscreen smartphone. It won't appeal to the BlackBerry faithful, who likely demand a real, hardware QWERTY keyboard (and based on the virtual keyboard packaged with the 9850, rightfully so), and it isn't compelling enough to attract those who are in the market for a smartphone with a big touchscreen. Hampered by buggy software and a dated OS, not to mention looks only a mother could love, the Torch 9850 is just yet another disappointment from RIM. Its a shame, too, because with a different OS, or even just a better keyboard, the 9850 could appeal to those looking for a smaller phone that has a really great camera. When it comes to touchscreen slab smartphones, I would tell RIM to try again. But honestly, how many tries does it take for RIM to figure this out?

Read original review at MobileBurn.

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The 9850 is decent enough if you require a full touchscreen display, but if you need a BlackBerry and are on Sprint, I’d recommend the Bold 9930 any day, hands-down. It has the best keyboard I’ve ever used and the design is much more beautiful.

RIM created the Torch 9850 to go toe-to-toe with the dozens of full touchscreen smartphones on the market that run iOS, Windows Phone and Android. Unfortunately, because BlackBerry OS 7 is so far behind the pack, the Torch 9850 simply can’t compete.

Read original review at BGR.

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The BlackBerry Torch 9850 is a really solid smartphone. It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it fills a glaring gap in RIM's device lineup. (It's a wholly different animal from the Storm/Storm 2 and much better than both of RIM's previous touch phones.)

The 9850 is well-made, looks attractive, and all the aspects of the hardware function as they are meant to. Signal performance was a bit iffy, and that led to mixed results concerning call quality. Data speeds, however, were reasonably good. Battery life was decent for a touch phone, though some BlackBerry faithful may be shocked at the less-than-three-weeks of time between charges.

The messaging components are all locked into place and are as robust as any other BlackBerry; email, SMS, IM, Twitter, Facebook are all ably conquered. The media prowess of the 9850 is an improvement over other BB7 devices thanks to the larger screen and improved camera.

The only real niggle I have with the 9850 is the crummy software keyboard. I found it to be unusable, and that could be a deal-breaker for those who have an addiction to messaging.

In the end, however, there's little to complain about. RIM has done a good job at bringing BlackBerry 7 to life in a classy and capable smartphone. I can easily see the Torch warming the hearts of BlackBerry fans.

Read original review at Phone Scoop.

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We can't help but feel a bit underwhelmed by the Torch 9850. It's reasonably slim, feels well made and, aesthetics-aside, is certainly not a bad handset. The thing is, it just isn't as good as t'other Torch that's also been released today, the 9810, because a 3mm gain in thickness gets you a full keyboard when you want it (and you will want it) plus a bit more internal storage. Sure, you lose out on screen size, but we never felt like there was all that much to do with the extra pixels here anyway.

Read original review at Engadget.

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With little in the way of must-have features, it’s tough to recommend the 9850 to those who would otherwise be considering an iPhone or Android device. RIM’s strength has always been in its text entry and messaging talents, but while the IM/BBM/email combo is present, the onscreen keyboard underwhelms. Third time’s the charm when it comes to RIM’s attempts at an all-touch device, but while the Torch 9850 is far better than the Storms that came before it, it still lacks the stand-out appeal that could break it out of the BlackBerry niche.

Read original review at SlashGear.

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This is the device that RIM should’ve put out three years ago when they embarked on the touchscreen form factor with the original Storm 9530. As we know, the key to success in the industry is partly related to timing, and it’s remarkable to witness that RIM is finally coming around to producing a decent all touch BlackBerry.

Read original review at PhoneArena.

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