BlackBerry Torch 9800 - 4GB - Black (Unlocked) Smartphone

When I found out that Blackberry was going to release a touch screen/keyboard combo, I could hardly wait to get one! I have had my Blackberry Torch since November and have been generally happy with it. The pros: The choice to use a keyboard or touchscreen, the size is not too cumbersome and the picture quality of the camera is excellent. When I took pictures of Half Dome in Yosemite with my Torch, the pictures came out crystal clear and no one could believe a phone camera could provide that quality.

The Cons: It is very awkward to get to the battery case, such as to reboot the phone. I have the Google Voice app loaded and if too much memory is used up on the phone, Google Voice freezes, causing me to reboot. The so called easily removable battery case is very hard to move and is awkward as well. Another con is the phone tends to be very top heavy when you slide the screen up to use the QWERTY keyboard. The keys are smaller than the previous Bold keyboard but it is still easy to type on.

I hope that Blackberry gets on the bandwagon with a faster browser and more apps, but all in all, I have been a loyal Blackberry user and have enjoyed using the Torch.

The Curve series phones all look similar, the 8530 is most closely related to the 8330. It has more memory, newer operating system support, and a touch trackpad instead of ball like the 8330. Virgin's plans ($25 + $10 for BIS/BES Blackberry service) are the cheapest for Blackberry handsets to my knowledge. I like how replacement parts are easily found on eBay for the housing, etc.

The phone functions well for everything I try doing. It runs multiple apps without slowing down much, and it has tools like spreadsheet, word, and powerpoint to go. They are immensely helpful for those in any business field. If you just want a toy it's not as flashy as others and the $10 for BIS/BES a month might not be worth it to you.

BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) is a great messenger service and lightyears ahead of SMS texting, but you must consider that the people you wish to contact also have BBM. Wifi connection is a huge plus. Call reception and clarity is outstanding compared to many phones I've used. It also has plenty of security tools for users.

Overall, I'd say don't buy a Blackberry if you're not too tech savvy and require very simple operation. If you love technology and enjoy tweaking and modifying themes and advanced settings there is no better handset than a Blackberry. They support free tools for users to create their own apps and themes. RIM Blackberries also have many incredible features that sadly most consumers cannot easily tap into. You can also browse the web to find helpful forums and/or tutorials to help you do just about anything with these handsets.