Next-Gen BlackBerry Torch 2 to Come with Updated CPU, NFC Support

The BlackBerry leaks are pouring in today with BGR revealing some specs for the next-generation flagship BlackBerry Torch 2 smartphone. The Torch 2, with its vertical slider, will sport an updated 3.2-inch VGA capacitive touchscreen display, up from the HVGA resolution on the current Torch. Also, a 1.2 GHz processor will be on-board, hopefully to remedy the lags between transitions that current Torch owners have complained about.

The world phone will support tri-band 3G UMTS with download speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps, putting it into AT&T 4G HSPA+ territory, along with quad-band GSM/EDGE.

8 GB of internal storage and 512 MB RAM are on-board–we wish the RAM count would be higher and on-par with the next-generation Bold’s spec. Also dubious is whether the Torch 2 will sport an HD video camera like the next-generation Bold, codenamed Dakota, as the specs just list a 5-megapixel still with flash–current Torch smartphones are limited to VGA recording for videos. If the Torch 2 does not support HD recording, its camera capabilities will be on par with the consumer-grade next-gen BlackBerry Curve, codenamed Apollo.

Like most high-end smartphones, this one will support a number of sensors and radios, including WiFi, Bluetooth, digital compass, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and also NFC support. With NFC support coming to the next-gen Bold, Curve, and Torch, RIM is hoping to make an impact on the mobile payment and digital wallet segment.

The device will measure 14.6 mm thick and will also launch with BlackBerry OS 6.1. The Torch 2 will also support OpenGL ES so hopefully we’ll get good games on RIM’s traditionally enterprise-focused smartphones. I think the Torch 2 should have been what RIM should have launched with. As Blackberry loyalists were enticed to the Torch–it remains to be among the best BlackBerry smartphones to date–the original Torch did not attract switchers from the iOS or Android camp due to limited hardware specs that contributed to a less than fluid user experience. With hardware acceleration and a faster processor, refinements offered by BlackBerry OS 6.1, and a higher resolution display, the Torch 2 will definitely be a competitive offering from one of the leading smartphone manufacturers.