“On the outside, the Torch delivers a rich feature set, with three user interfaces, a capacitive touch screen, an optical track pad and the first slider QWERTY keyboard found in a Blackberry,” said Andrew Rassweiler, analyst at iSuppli.
“On the inside, the Torch’s electronic design heavily leverages subsystems used in previous members of the Blackberry smart phone line, specifically the Storm2 and the Bold 9700. With this evolutionary approach, RIM has delivered a smart phone with an enhanced feature set that largely matches those of the Blackberry’s chief competitors: the iPhone and the Android-based handsets.”
Carrying over technology platforms can be a big advantage for those who build multiple devices, but it may be more difficult for customers to clearly see the benefits of one device over another, similarly to GM’s approach to spread out the same cars over multiple brands.
According to iSuppli, the Torch’s Radio Frequency, power amplifier and power management subsystems are similar or virtually identical to those of a previous member of the Blackberry line, the Bold 9700.
Torch’s display is very similar to that of the Blackberry Storm2 9550. iSuppli also noted that the Torch has the same microelectromechanical systems accelerometer by Analog Devices used in the Storm2 9550.
Interestingly, the Torch shows some similarity to smart phones from other brands as well. Mechanically, it is comparable in complexity and cost to HTC Tilt 2. Likewise, the Torch integrates Texas Instruments’ WL1271x WLAN/Bluetooth IC, which can be found in products including Motorola’s Droid X and Microsoft’s Kin 2, iSuppli said.
Overall, it almost appears that the Torch has been put together in a Lego brick strategy with proven components being integrated in one device. As it leverages the foundation of other Blackberries, the Torch could have some benefits, including cost savings, which seems not to be the case.
iSuppli estimates the bill of materials, including manufacturing, at $183.05. In comparison, the iPhone 4 has an estimated bill of materials of $187.51 and the Droid Incredible is believed to cost about $174.15 (all estimates excluding expenses such as shipping, marketing as well as R&D.)
