Yesterday, RIM launched 5 new BlackBerry phones in the country, all featuring the latest BlackBerry 7 OS (and upgradeable to 7.1 when it becomes available in our region). These new BlackBerry models will be available on January 13 from carriers and authorized retail channels.
We got new BlackBerry handsets ranging from the usual QWERTY keyboard, all touch-screen and hybrid (keyboard/touch) designs.
Let’s take a look at each of the new BlackBerry phones briefly.
BlackBerry Bold 9790
First up is the BlackBerry Bold 9790 which we reviewed a week ago. This one’s the more affordable version of the Bold 9900. Same slim form but with less aluminum parts in the body. It packs a 1GHz processor with an 8GB internal storage plus expandable memory card slot. This one will have a suggested retail price of Php23,990.
BlackBerry Curve 9380
The Curve goes all-touch with the 9380. It has a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen display (480 x 360) and comes with pre-installed social networking apps, including Facebook, Twitter and Social Feeds apps. It also packs an 806MHz processor and has 512MB of internal storage and 512MB RAM. It also comes with 5-megapixel camera with flash and will retail for Php16,990.
BlackBerry Torch 9810
It’s the new Torch, the touch-slider keyboard BlackBerry phone. It looks like the old BlackBerry Torch 9800, it feels like the old Torch 9800. It’s basically the Torch 9800 but with slightly better specs to handle OS 7. You’ll get 1.2GHz processor, 8GB internal storage with 768MB RAM and also a 5-megapixel camera. This one would retail for Php28,590 on the 13th.
BlackBerry Torch 9860
Well what do you know? The Torch wants to go all-touch as well. If you feel that the Curve 9380’s 3.2-inch touchscreen display is a bit small for you, the Torch 9860 features a 3.7-inch display, the largest ever on a BlackBerry phone. This one also has a 1.2GHz processor, a 5 megapixel camera that can do 720p video recording and 4GB worth of internal storage with provision for microSD cards. SRP is Php24,690.
BlackBerry Bold 9900 in Pure White
Then there’s the white version of the flagship BlackBerry Bold 9900 (just hit the link for the review). RIM, like other mobile companies, believe that there’s a market for white version of premium phones and people will pay good money just to be different. That’s why you can get the White Bold 9900 for Php31,690.
That’s basically it for the BlackBerry world for now. The 7.1 update should be anticipated as it will allow your BlackBerries to act as a WiFi hotspot, something Android users have been enjoying for quite a while.
2 comments
blackberry would be really weird without its QWERTY keyboard. too bad RIM was forced to really go with an all touchscreen phone to keep up. i think the best buy on this lot would be the cheaper bold 9790.
If the 9860 Torch had been available last year, I might have gone for it. Big screen better for reading documents, web browsing and navigation. Still being locked in to a Smart Data Plan for another year I can use a Android, iPhone or Windows phone. I would need a different plan for this phone.