Skip to main content

BlackBerry leaks: four new touchscreen devices shown

blackberry-logo
Image used with permission by copyright holder

BlackBerry is preparing to enter the age of touch in a big way. A series of leaked images and videos have popped up around the Web, showing four new RIM smartphones, all of which sport fancy new capacitive touch screens. The BlackBerry Bold Touch, Torch 2, Orlando, and Touch are all detailed below (via Pocket-Lint). While most of them are modified versions of already released handsets like the Curve and Torch, there is a touch-only phone as well. Still, we can’t help but wonder where these phones were two years ago.

BlackBerry Orlando

blackberry-orlando-leaked-image
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The BlackBerry Orlando may sound like a new phone, but it’s mostly a BB Curve Sedona with a touchscreen. N4BB, a BlackBerry blog site, has uncovered the new device, which sports OS 6.1, a physical keyboard, a trackpad, and, well, that’s really all we know so far.

BlackBerry Touch Monza

blackberry-monaco-touch
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A new leaked document shows that the “Touch” is the GSM (AT&T) version of RIM’s new touchscreen-only BlackBerry. It’s CDMA counterpart is called the Monaco Touch. Unlike the Storm, however, it appears to more closely resemble an Android or iPhone device and use capacitive technology. It will have a 3.7-inch screen, 800×480 pixel resolution, 1.2GHz processor, 768MB of RAM, has a MicroSD slot, and a 5MP camera.

BlackBerry Bold Touch (Montana)

If you aren’t confused by RIM’s naming conventions, you will be soon. N4BB recorded a quick video showing how responsive RIM’s new touchscreens are and Boy Genius Reports has some new hands-on impressions of the device, which looks pretty slick for a candy bar phone.

“The unit itself is extremely solid and the touchscreen is very responsive,” said BGR. “and who could forget that great and spacious BlackBerry keyboard? The BlackBerry Bold Touch also uses a new battery from RIM, so hopefully the addition of a touchscreen to this famous BlackBerry form factor won’t have too much of a negative impact on battery life.”

The Bold Touch is a GSM device with a 5MP camera, 4GB of internal storage, 768MB or RAM, a 2.8-inch screen (640×480), and has built in NFC technology.

BlackBerry Touch 2

blackberry-torch-2-leaked-bgr
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Finally, we arrive at the BlackBerry Torch 2, the sequel to the (you guessed it) BlackBerry Torch. Much like its predecessor, the Torch 2 has a slide-out keyboard and runs OS 6.1. Unlike the Torch, however, this phone isn’t cripplingly slow. It has a 1.2GHz processor, 640×480 display, and is set for a July release on AT&T. BGR claims it is much more responsive than last year’s model, but shares the same physical dimensions as the old unit.

Jeffrey Van Camp
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…
5 smartwatches you should buy instead of the Google Pixel Watch 2
The main workout screen on the Google Pixel Watch 2.

It's no secret that we weren't fans of the first Google Pixel Watch. However, Google heard all the criticism of its smartwatch debut and made amends, coming back with the Google Pixel Watch 2. Its second attempt was much better, adding strong performance, exceptional comfort, and a solid battery life to the fitness tracking of Fitbit. While it still has some issues, it's now a product we can recommend buying.

But just because it's now good doesn't mean there aren't alternatives to be had. There are a number of smartwatches that are better suited for those looking for a longer battery life, a focus on fitness, or a simpler experience. Some are just flat-out better. If you're considering buying a Google smartwatch, you need to know about these five smartwatches you should buy instead of the Google Pixel Watch 2.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Read more
I compared Google and Samsung’s AI photo-editing tools. It’s not even close
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 8 Pro.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and Google Pixel 8 Pro Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Most phones nowadays are equipped with dual lens or triple lens camera systems and have powerful photo-editing tools baked natively into the software. This means most people have a compact photo-editing suite in their pocket every day.

Read more
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 release date just leaked
Two Galaxy Z Fold 5 phones next to each other -- one is open and one is closed.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 (left) and Galaxy Z Flip 5 Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

Samsung is just months away from its next Unpacked event, where it will announce the previously teased Galaxy Ring alongside the next Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip phones. The event, which could have the most number of devices launching at one Samsung event, is set a couple weeks ahead of last year's event.

Read more