Blackberry Torch - One Name Two Very Different Phones

The original Blackberry Torch, launched last year, has proved very popular with Blackberry’s existing fans and attracted a lot of converts to the brand. However a year is a long time in the mobile phone market and now Blackberry have replaced the Torch with not one but two new models, offering two very different experiences.

Blackberry Torch 9810
The 9810 is the spiritual successor to the original Torch as it sticks with the QWERTY plus touchscreen formula and is the same size. Apart from a slightly lighter coloured case there’s very little difference physically.

Under the bonnet the OS has upgraded to Blackberry OS7 – there’s nothing radical to report but the OS7 does give an all round slicker, smoother user experience. Anyone coming from a Torch 9800 will be immediately impressed. Elsewhere the screen is upgraded from 480*360 to 640*480 and there’s a much healthier 8GB of storage plus HD video recording on the 5MP camera.

Torch 9810 Deals
Deals on the Torch 9810 start at 26 a month which is surprisingly good value considering the phone is brand new. You can compare all of today’s deals using the link below
Compare Torch 9810 deals

Blackberry Torch 9860
The Torch 9860 is a completely new phone as it does away with the QWERTY keyboard in favour of an all touchscreen layout. Being a touchscreen means the Torch 9860 has a bigger screen than the 9810 – 800*480 making it much better for viewing media and especially video.

You’ll type on a virtual QWERTY keyboard which works either in portrait or landscape mode. There’s a very clever auto correct feature which does take some getting used to but after a bit of practice it’s easy to type at least as fast as on a physical keyboard. Of course the 9860 runs Blackberry OS7 too and packs in a decent 4GB of storage. Like the 9810 the 9860 also does HD video recording on the same 5MP camera.

Torch 9860 Deals
The Torch 9860 is available now with deals starting from a reasonable 21 a month – making it cheaper than the 9810. You can compare all of today’s deals here
Compare Torch 9860 Deals.

Overall the 9860 makes a better choice if you can do without the physical keyboard, it’s bigger screen and cheaper price make it the better all round phone. If you’re used to a physical keyboard and don’t fancy going touchscreen the Torch 9810 is a very worthy successor to the original Torch and well worth the upgrade.

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