Announced
back in August 2010, Research in Motion formally launched the
BlackBerry Torch 9800 in the Philippines yesterday.
The BlackBerry Torch comes with a sliding full qwerty keyboard and touch screen. Consider it a sort of an upgrade to the BB Bold 9700 with a touchscreen treatment.
BlackBerry Torch 9800 specs:
3.2″ display @ 360×480 pixels
512MB RAM, 512MB ROM
4GB storage (up to 32GB via microSD, 4GB included)
3G @ 384Kbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1
5MP autofocus camera w/ LED flash + video
BlackBerry OS 6.0
GPS w/ a-GPS support
1300mAh Li-Ion battery
RIM would not say what the retail price of the BB Torch would be since they usually leave that to the partner telcos to decide. It’s not un-usual considering BlackBerry handsets rely on a data plan (BIS) which is tied up with the carriers.
We’ve already spotted the
BlackBerry Torch in the gray market as early as last week of August and were selling for
Php38,500.
Also saw one selling in mobile phone stores this afternoon at
Php36,990. Still pretty steep, IMO. I’d estimate a Php29k SRP for locked pre-paid kits just like what Globe offered before with the Bold 9700. We’ll find out once they appear on the telco’s Business Centers by end of this month.