RIM Launches the Torch 9800 in Hong Kong

Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion has just announced the launch of its new BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone to the market in Hong Kong. The new device comes with the BlackBerry 6 OS on board, while sporting a sliding design, the first BlackBerry device of the kind.

On top of that, the new Torch 9800 comes both with a touchscreen display, as well as with a QWERTY keyboard, so as to satisfy the needs of a wide range of users out there.

“The new BlackBerry Torch is one of RIM’s most important product launches in Hong Kong,” said Norm Lo, Vice President of Asia Pacific, Research In Motion.

“This powerful smartphone builds on the industry-leading strengths of the BlackBerry platform with a new handset design that offers top-of-the-line features and elegant styling.”

Not only does the handset come with all that it's needed to keep users connected at all times with their contacts via various communication channels (email, messenger, social networking, text or call), but it also sports the productivity tools that any business user is looking for in a mobile phone.

“With its new operating system, including an enhanced user interface and rich WebKit browser, the highly anticipated BlackBerry Torch smartphone delivers smoothly integrated and uncompromising capabilities for both business professionals and consumers,” Norm Lo added.

The handset also comes with Chinese handwriting software on board, as well as with a wide range of other features, including support for 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) networks, GPS capabilities, Wi-Fi (b/g/n) connectivity, and others more.

The handset's specs list also includes 4GB of internal memory, microSD/SDHD memory card slot with support for 32GB of additional storage space, 5 MP camera with auto focus, and enhanced smartphone features via the new OS version.

The new BlackBerry Torch smartphone should become available for purchase in the country via RIM authorized carrier partners and retail channels.

The mobile phone is expected to be put on sale at the end of October with a recommended retail price of HKD 5,988 (a 4GB card included in the package).