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Bold and beautiful

Now That the ban on Blackberry services in the UAE has been avoided, customers can again invest in devices from Research In Motion (RIM) with confidence. The latest model to hit the UAE is the 9800, also called the Torch, and the question is, should you buy it? Let’s find out.

The most noticeable aspect of the 9800 is how RIM is trying to stand with one foot in the past and one in the future at the same time. They’ve put a 3.2-inch, 480 x 360 pixel touchscreen on the Torch as well as a physical QWERTY keyboard. With a slight push of your fingers, the display slides out of the way, revealing the keyboard. Although I can see the attraction with this concept, I think it’s ultimately to the detriment of the device as it’s neither-nor.

Simply, the touchscreen has been improved a lot compared to the Storm, but it’s still not quite up there with the best of alternative devices, meaning the touch is not as sensitive and the UI not quite as responsive. Perhaps we can blame the processor more than the display but the result is not the best touch experience available right now.

What’s probably worse is that RIM has also compromised on the physical keyboard, what’s usually a hallmark of Blackberry devices. Compared to a Bold, for example, the keys are smaller and have less rise (height) making them less comfortable and practical to type on. I recall much better typing experiences on older Blackberry devices so the development has not gone in the right direction there.

What I do actually like is how the Torch feels to hold: it feels remarkably solid, some would say heavy. There’s nothing cheap-feeling about it and all the parts are put together with a very tight fit. RIM has also improved the camera quite a bit but hasn’t improved it far enough to be a reason to buy the 9800. The 5-megapixel camera takes decent photos but other smartphones do it better. Unfortunately, the same is true for the Web browser; it’s much improved but others offer better functionality and experience.

In terms of software, RIM has come a long way with Blackberry 6 OS. I can’t help but wondering what it would be like in a better device. Although the interface hasn’t changed all that much, in terms of functionality, RIM has packed in a lot, especially when it comes to media like music and video. It would be nice to be able to put more apps on the Torch too, but Blackberry App World, the RIM equivalent to Apple’s App Store, is not officially available in the Middle East yet. It was installed on the one I received for testing but I could not install apps on it. It was announced at GITEX that App World would be coming to handsets in the UAE.

At a price of Dhs 2,799 from Etisalat (Dhs 100 cheaper if you buy from du), the Torch is not a cheap smartphone and if you’re a true Blackberry fan, you probably won’t benefit much from buying it. If you want a great battery life, look at a Curve; if you want a great keyboard, buy a Bold. However, if you want a cool-looking Blackberry, which will impress people, then, by all means, buy the Torch. Even if, in many ways, the Torch is the best smartphone from RIM yet, choosing a Blackberry continues to be more about the unlimited data plans than about a device.

—emiratesmac@gmail.com

• UAE