Verizon Debuting BlackBerry Torch 9850, Sort of Brings Back the Storm

Verizon has just made it official: it's going to release BlackBerry Torch 9850 later this week. This smartphone is RIM's first to be built around a 3.7-inch touchscreen.

Despite its name, this model can be thought of as the replacement for the now-defunct BlackBerry Storm series but it has a larger display than those devices did. This model will run the new BlackBerry OS 7. One of the highlights of this is a much faster web browser, as well as voice-activated search.

Verizon is going to introduce the Torch 9850 on its website on Thursday, September 8. It will arrive in this carrier's stores on Sept. 15. The price will be $200 with a two-year contract.

More Device Specs
This BlackBerry has a range of high-end features, such as a WVGA (800 x 480) display and a 1.2GHz processor. It comes with 4GB of internal storage, and this can be expanded with a microSD memory card. 

There's no 4G support, but this model does offer Verizon's 3G service, as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The Torch 9850's 5-megapixel camera can record 720p video.

It shouldn't be confused with the Torch 9810, which has a smaller Touchscreen and a physical sliding keyboard. Verizon isn't going to offer this device. Verizon does, however, offer the BlackBerry Bold 9930, which also runs the latest version of RIM's operating system, but includes a keyboard along with a touchscreen. A full review of that smartphone is available from Brighthand.