The document compares the Blackberry Torch 9800 and iPhone 4 across several features and specifications. The Blackberry has a 3.2-inch display with lower resolution compared to the iPhone 4's 3.5-inch retina display. Both have 5 megapixel cameras, but the iPhone 4 has LED flash. The iPhone 4 has a more powerful 1GHz processor compared to the Blackberry's 624MHz processor. Both have good battery life, but the iPhone lasts longer. The Blackberry has strong encryption for email/texting while the iPhone does not. The iPhone has access to more apps and better multi-touch features. In conclusion, while the Blackberry is improved, the iPhone 4 is a better overall device.
2. Display Torch 9800 has a 3.2-inch high resolution capacitive multi-touch display (with 480x360 pixel resolution). The iPhone 4 boasts of a 3.5-inch capacitive widescreen multi-touch 'Retina' display (with 960x640 pixel resolution)
3. Camera The Torch 9800 boasts of a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, flash and 2x digital zoom. The iPhone 4 too have a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash. In fact, the iPhone 4's flash is LED flash, which is better, as it allows the camera to capture amazingly detailed images even in low-light scenes.
4. Processor The Torch 9800 comes with a 624 MHz processor. The iPhone 4's Apple A4 1GHz processor, which is used to power the company's popular tablet computer, the iPad.
5. Battery The Torch 9800 comes with 1300 mAHr lithium-ion battery that promises up to 5.5 hours of talk time and 18 days of standby time on GSM network. The iPhone 4 is a power sipper - its built-in 1420 mAh lithium-ion battery promises up to 14 hours of talk time and up to 300 hours of standby time on 2G network without needing a recharge.
6. E-mail and Text Messaging The Torch 9800 incorporates BlackBerry's popular e-mail and text messaging services whose high level of security allow users to transmit their information wirelessly with the knowledge that not even RIM can access their data. The iPhone 4, however, does not use this high level of encryption technology.
7. App Store iPhone 4 users have access to the legendary iPhone App Store where over 100,000 apps are available for download for free or a small cost. In comparison, BlackBerry's app store, the App World, which was launched last year, is a far cry even as RIM attempts to attract developers to build software applications for the device
8. Miscellaneous The Torch 9800, which comes with BlackBerry 6 OS boasts of an improved user interface; multi-tasking capability; gesture controls such as iPhone-esque pinch-to-zoom feature; an improved notification system; a universal inbox; a universal search bar; and a new media player. The Torch 9800 also boasts of accelerometer, ambient light sensor and a proximity sensor. The new Apple device too comes with multi-tasking capability; gesture and multi-touch controls that have become legendary; a one touch universal search function; a unified inbox; and a slick user interface.
9. The iPhone 4 too has accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor and something more - the three axis gyro sensor. The iPhone 4 also has voice memo and voice control functions and can act as a tethering device to help you stay connected to the Internet anywhere in the world.
10. Conclusion The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is no doubt good and perhaps the best BlackBerry RIM has launched to date. Though I'm not a big fan myself of vertical slider phones, RIM has done a good job in combining a physical keyboard as well as a touchscreen in the device. Nothing about the Torch 9800 feels cheap or under-designed also. However, there's nothing in the Torch 9800 that really represents a leap forward beyond what others smartphones are offering, especially the iPhone. In conclusion, the Torch 9800 may be able to help RIM hold its ground against the iPhones and Androids of the world. It may also help the company rise in the ranks of smartphone makers, perhaps even help it gain some market share. But don't expect the Torch 9800 to blow away the competition, especially the iPhone 4.
