Blackberry Torch sales "underwhelming"

[JFetch]

RIM's new BlackBerry Torch -- its attempt at a response to Apple's iPhone and Google's Android -- is off to an "underwhelming" start, according to Goldman Sachs, via StreetInsider.

The Torch, which includes a touchscreen as well as a slide-out keyboard, went on sale last week at AT&T stores, and will be advertised heavily by AT&T.

But Goldman notes "that nearly all of the stores they called did not sell out of the device," StreetInsider notes, versus strong demand for high-end Android devices like the Motorola Droid X at Verizon Wireless and the HTC EVO at Sprint.

And, as expected, most of the purchases for the Torch were upgrades from existing BlackBerry subscribers, versus RIM reaching new subs for the device.

The problem for RIM is that it's quickly losing ground in the high end of the smartphone market, as Apple and Google have rocketed past the BlackBerry in design and sophistication. (And Android has even recently shot past in market share.)

The Torch was RIM's attempt to appeal to the iPhone/Android set, via the touchscreen, but it's hurt by slow hardware, a weak display, and crappy software. So really, it still only appeals to the BlackBerry set, which either needs a RIM device for work, or thinks they can't use a device without a plastic keyboard.

As we said, sorry, but the BlackBerry Torch won't save RIM.

Read more: BlackBerry Torch Launch "Underwhelming"

 

[chris4404]

I love RIM but if they really don't seem to realize how broken the BlackBerry platform is. Maybe they're the next Palm after all......

 

[evosaurusrex]

I would actually much rather have a Bold 9700 or 9650 than a Torch. The slider just isn't my thing and I prefer the typical BB form factor than the Palm Pre style factor.

 

[anon(41073)]

I would actually much rather have a Bold 9700 or 9650 than a Torch. The slider just isn't my thing and I prefer the typical BB form factor than the Palm Pre style factor.

I agree. I hated having a touch screen keyboard when I had my Samsung Instinct. That was the main reason that I got the Palm Pre. I then later found out that I slider keyboard was actually worse that the touch screen keyboard. Sliding it out every time just to type was just horrible. Switched to EVO problem solved.

 

[l1ghtn1ng]

I have a Blackberry Torch, got it by returning my Captivate. I personally believe it is the best phone I have ever had, it does what I need it to do and it does it well. The best thing is that the battery lasts FOREVER, this thing does not die.

I love the touchscreen/ full QWERTY combo. As a student it meets and exceeds all my needs. It does lag a little but I am convinced it is a software problem not a hardware, if I use the track pad to go between menus there is no lag at all.

Anyways I strongly suggest to go try one out and not just listen to reviews.

 

[darreno1]

I played with one a few weeks back and honestly, it was a disappointment.

My biggest issue with it was the screen resolution. I can't believe they put such a low res screen on a product that was supposed to be their top-of-the-line offering. Also the keyboard was a little cramped.

The biggest improvement is the browser and the notification area. Other than than it was a pretty meh product.

 

[davidnc]

Seeing the reviews on crackberry on the torch it has failed to impress me at all same ole song and dance lol

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[caliskimmer]

I agree. I hated having a touch screen keyboard when I had my Samsung Instinct. That was the main reason that I got the Palm Pre. I then later found out that I slider keyboard was actually worse that the touch screen keyboard. Sliding it out every time just to type was just horrible. Switched to EVO problem solved.

Um, couldn't you have just gone with a hybrid phone? Most top-end sliders also have a software keyboard. The Pre? I have no idea what they were smoking when they made the decision not to include a software keyboard.

 

[Menno]

Um, couldn't you have just gone with a hybrid phone? Most top-end sliders also have a software keyboard. The Pre? I have no idea what they were smoking when they made the decision not to include a software keyboard.

The Pre's screen is already so small that a software keyboard would be really cramped.

 

[Mike20PR]

id take a palm pre plus over the torch anyday... RIM had a great idea with Blackberry6 but the hardware is too sub par to make real use of it...

a 800mhz OMAP A8/A9 CPU and a VGA screen would have gone a long way

 

[JayCudi]

Judging by the specs alone, the Torch is a tad bit disappointing...

Comparing it to the iPhone 4 and several android phones, it seems a bit outdated...

I haven't played with the phone personally. So perhaps, my judgment might change a bit...but it doesn't seem intriguing.

 

[l1ghtn1ng]

Judging by the specs alone, the Torch is a tad bit disappointing...

Comparing it to the iPhone 4 and several android phones, it seems a bit outdated...

I haven't played with the phone personally. So perhaps, my judgment might change a bit...but it doesn't seem intriguing.

It really isn't a bad phone at all. The only time I see lag is swiping through the home screen (left and right only). I have no wait time at all when opening up any app.

I'm pretty sure the little lag I get while swiping left and right can be fixed with a software update. I've had an iPhone 4, Captivate and now this Torch. The Torch is my favorite, it's not the best multimedia device but it's the best communication device I've ever had.

 

[nullr]

Get Palm Pre install preware and overclock with f105 the BB wont even come close.

 

[chris4404]

The Torch and Pre are very similar hardware wise, why mess with either of them?

 

[dmnall]

Well I got to play with the torch for a couple of hours yesterday and damn it gave me a headache. One the thing I love about blackberry is that they are simple to use, RIM changed a lot around in OS 6, the Torch's software keyboard, sucks compared to the Stock Android keyboard, the hardware keyboard on the torch is just too small. Using the web browser was a pain with either keyboard, it lagged way too much for simple stuff. The touch screen was not as responsive as my captivate or iPhone which should have been a top priority since all other full touch screen phones are a lot more responsive. I will admit the Slider was cool and the browser seems a lot better compared to OS 5 and older, however, the slow processor is what is holding the phone back. The Torch should have been the bold in my opinion but sadly it is not. The small screen did not look too bad, however, comparing to Super Amoled, it is not as pretty as the Captivate and lower res, is something that RIM should have looked into. I am glad that I went with the Captivate because it is an awesome phone overall and to get working right, I find Android easier to navigate and browse the web with over OS 6.

Cheers,
Charlie

 

[Ameeelia.]

I'm an ex-Berry Addict. I've had five of the buggers, and the thing I've found? You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. The OS, no matter what they do to update it, will have the same concepts and principles - it's static. Same interface, same icons, etc. The hardware is the same, the highest internal memory (as of late) is 512MB and doesn't have App2SD (or anything similar), the standard cameras don't go past 3MP, it's hit and miss with the WiFi GPS drama (either it has both, one, or the other). So many options, none of them making one mega option. That's what I feel drew me away to Android.

 

[dmnall]

I'm an ex-Berry Addict. I've had five of the buggers, and the thing I've found? You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. The OS, no matter what they do to update it, will have the same concepts and principles - it's static. Same interface, same icons, etc. The hardware is the same, the highest internal memory (as of late) is 512MB and doesn't have App2SD (or anything similar), the standard cameras don't go past 3MP, it's hit and miss with the WiFi GPS drama (either it has both, one, or the other). So many options, none of them making one mega option. That's what I feel drew me away to Android.

The torch has a 5 MP Camera but no high def video recording. The OS6 is revamped with some familiarity to the older os but the options area is laid out a bit different but I still agree it still is the same thing. I started using BB when the Curve 8300 came out, then 8310 and then Bold 9000 after that I was just tired of the hardware failure rate that I had *Standby button failing, radio chip died and even at times the wifi and gps on the bold would stop working*.. I switched over to my captivate and I had to look at the torch but all I can say is Epic Fail on Rim with the torch...

HTH,
Charlie

 

[Dperks17]

Yeah the torch uses the same 600mhz processor as the bold..faiiiiil

 

[Raditude#AC]

I just came off of a Storm, which was slow and unresponsive, and never reached it's potential. I just switched to a Droid 2, and am completely blown away by it. It's like going from a Yugo to a Lamborghini. The Storm completely turned me off to BlackBerry, especially when there is so much better out there with Android. That's why I won't get a touch screen BlackBerry again let alone the Torch. I'm sure that's much of the same reasoning as for why others aren't buying either.