Holiday Gift Guide »

BlackBerry Torch 2 to Have 1 GHz processor, NFC?

Categories: AT&T, BlackBerry, Rumors
By: , IntoMobile
Thursday, January 13th, 2011 at 11:09 AM
BlackBerry-Torch-2

RIM’s getting ready to refresh the BlackBerry Torch 9800, by the looks of it. The next Torch looks an awful lot like the original, but much like the Dakota that was leaked earlier today, the real changes are under the hood:

  • 1.2GHz processor
  • Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
  • Tri-band HSPA 14.4Mbps
  • 3.2-inch VGA 640 x 480 capacitive display
  • 8GB built-in memory
  • 512MB RAM
  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • GPS
  • NFC
  • 5-megapixel camera with flash
  • Magnetometer
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • 1300 mAh battery
  • BlackBerry OS 6.1
  • OpenGL ES
  • 14.6mm thin

BlackBerry OS 6 already runs smooth as butter (for me anyway), but that 624 MHz processor is definitely showing its age. With more horsepower, 3D rendering support, and an updated OS with augmented reality capabilities, the next Torch promises to bring a lot to the table while still providing the best of both touchscreen slate and QWERTY candybar worlds. NFC is still new to most people, but if RIM can price this reasonably, it’ll definitely help popularize contactless payments. It’s unfortunate that the mobile hotspot function in the leaked Dakota didn’t find its way to the Torch 2, but with a bigger screen and smaller battery, it’s hard to even offer any more power drains. Still, 8 GB of on-board storage is significant, especially if folks can toss on another 32 GB with a microSD card on top of that.

We’re expecting this one to launch on AT&T in late Q3. There’s one more RIM smartphone that leaked today, coming up next…

[via BGR]

About The Author

Simon Sage

Simon Sage’s education largely surrounded writing, technology and online community, leading him to begin his blogging career at www.BlackBerryCool.com and to quickly discover a vibrant and active community surrounding BlackBerry and mobile technology. In exploring RIM’s platform, he has learned what enterprises are looking for in mobility as well as what makes the innocuous BlackBerry so appealing to them. Recently Simon’s been covering RIM’s gradual move into an already-crowded consumer market, and the impact of burgeoning challengers, such as the iPhone, as well as long-time leaders, like Nokia, on BlackBerry’s advancement. With plenty of content under his belt, Simon will be branching off a bit to see what other smartphone manufacturers are working on while still using BlackBerry as a barometer. At IntoMobile, you can count on his posts being even-handed, well-informed and thought-out.

  • Anonymous

    They need a bigger screen with higher res.

  • Anonymous

    They need a bigger screen with higher res.

  • http://twitter.com/ka3yan Brad Morris

    I agree with CubamusPrime, this needs to have a 4″ 960 x 640 display and forward facing camera. With a larger display, the keyboard won’t be as cramped as it is now. Forward facing camera would add the ability to conduct video teleconferencing. VTC is a great business tool, like what the BB is supposed to be.