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 480x800 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 the Critics Are Saying...
- Andrew Unsworth, Expert ReviewsThe BlackBerry Torch 9860 eschews the QWERTY keypad of previous BlackBerry generations. Instead, it has a 3.7in touchscreen placed above a set of push buttons and an optical trackpad. It’s unclear if the move to a touchscreen is meant to attract new customers or move loyal customers over to to...
- Richard Goodwin, Know Your MobileThere’s not much else to say about this handset really. The 5-megapixel camera is pretty bad, snapping noisy images that lack detail and clarity, as is the 720p video playback. Connectivity is all there, bar support for HSPA+, and there’s a lot to like about BlackBerry OS 7, providing yo...
- Coolsmartphone News, CoolsmartphoneBlackberry have managed to create another stunning device in its own way. It’s not really an Android or iPhone killer but I still love the device. The whole form factor that makes the Torch 9860 very different to other handsets, with so many key features and specifications it makes this device worth...
- Edward Chester, TrustedReviewsCompared 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...
- Shayne Rana, tech2With a price tag of Rs. 26,500 for a totally touchscreen BlackBerry that’s way better than anything the Storm series was able to offer, the Torch 9860 does seem like a good option. However, it does have chinks in its armour and one tends to expect a little more from a 1.2GHz processor. It’s a decent...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the BlackBerry Torch 9860 user manual here.
BlackBerry backs up the Torch 9860 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Torch 9860 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact BlackBerry support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find BlackBerry's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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