The Blackberry Torch by RIM is a much-needed improvement over the earlier phones in the company’s lineup. With an increased central processing speed, stronger web browsing capability, and many improvements in usability, it’s a great new best in class phone from the manufacturer that brought us the original Blackberry. It is almost sure to impress users of other phones on platforms such as Android and iPhone.

The first thing that you’ll notice about the Blackberry Torch is that it has a brand new web browser. With its new browsing format, RIM has brought its browsing capability up to what the other manufacturers have to offer. The browsing is usually adequately fast, and you’re able to zoom and use the multitouch screen very handily. When you’re pressing and holding a link, they’re easy to open, bookmark, or even email. However, like other phone platforms, there is no Flash support.

With a 624 MHz processor inside of it, The Torch has more than adequate processing power for almost all its tasks. You can accomplish almost any task with ease, from rendering web pages to watching video or even just checking email. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing – opening apps or running your GPS - the Torch does its job well with the processor it has.

Other features that are worth mentioning are the universal search tool on the homescreen. With this search tool you can search for most anything you want on the phone or web. Also the Blackberry Maps app with the built in GPS means that you have access to a GPS unit whose capabilities rivals that of what’s offered on other Android phones that have Google Maps.

The 5-megapixel camera is also a great benefit of this phone. With it you can take HD photos and even video as well. You can video 640×480 video clips with excellent resolution, and you can store them on the phone’s memory. Whatever you’re doing with photos or video, you can do it on the Torch.

In short, the Blackberry Torch is a very well-functioning, user-friendly smartphone with a simple to use slide-out keyboard. If you’re a Blackberry user and you’re looking for a step-up, the Torch may be one of the best options on the market to have access to a next-generation OS and features. It’s a simple transition from more basic offerings to one of the best pieces of hardware RIM has to offer.