The BlackBerry Torch 9810 is now available in SA via MTN and Vodacom, says Research In Motion (RIM).
The new handset runs on the BlackBerry 7 operating system, and has the same design as the Torch 9800.
The 9810 has a 3.2-inch, high-resolution touch display, as well as a slide-out qwerty keyboard.
Director of product management for Africa at RIM Rui Brites says: “We believe that customers in SA will be thrilled by the faster performance, enhanced browsing and richer multimedia delivered by this powerful new BlackBerry 7 smartphone.”
As of today, the 9810 handset is available at Vodacom on a 24-month Talk 100 contract at R399 per month, and on a 24-month contract through MTN at R329 per month with MTN's Anytime TopUp 200 contract.
The Torch 9810 was one of the five new BlackBerry 7 devices unveiled by RIM in August. The same release included another two Torch models, the 9850 and 9860, which both introduce an all-touch design and 3.7-inch display.
There is no indication of when the other Torch models will be available in SA.
Despite market gains in African and Middle Eastern regions, RIM has been rapidly losing customers in the mature markets to Apple's iPhone and handsets running Google's Android software.
At the time of the initial announcement of the new BlackBerry 7 handsets, including the Torch 9810, digital consumer unit head at BMI-TechKnowledge Ryan Smit said: “While this is a major release from RIM's perspective, it's not that major in terms of new features or functionality.
“A lot of early adopters look at specifications for smartphones, and the new releases do not necessarily measure up against competitors. It's unlikely that these models will convert non-BlackBerry users, although they may appease loyal BlackBerry customers.”
Smit also noted that consumers may opt to wait for the upcoming BBX-based BlackBerry handsets, expected to be released next year.
RIM still holds the lion's share of the South African smartphone market, and analysts say BlackBerry's popularity is expected to continue at least for the next year.
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