Torch 9800 has a 3.2-inch high resolution capacitive multi-touch display (with 480x360 pixel resolution).

The iPhone 4 boasts of a 3.5-inch capacitive widescreen multi-touch 'Retina' display (with 960x640 pixel resolution)

The Torch 9800 boasts of a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, flash and 2x digital zoom.

The iPhone 4 too have a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash. In fact, the iPhone 4's flash is LED flash, which is better, as it allows the camera to capture amazingly detailed images even in low-light scenes.

The Torch 9800 comes with a 624 MHz

processor.

The iPhone 4's Apple A4 1GHz processor,

which is used to power the company's

popular tablet computer, the iPad.

The Torch 9800 comes with 1300 mAHrlithium-ion battery that promises up to 5.5 hours of talk time and 18 days of standby time on GSM network.

The iPhone 4 is a power sipper - its built-in 1420 mAh lithium-ion battery promises up to 14 hours of talk time and up to 300 hours of standby time on 2G network without needing a recharge.

The Torch 9800 incorporates BlackBerry's

popular e-mail and text messaging

services whose high level of security

allow users to transmit their information

wirelessly with the knowledge that not

even RIM can access their data.

The iPhone 4, however, does not use this

high level of encryption technology.

iPhone 4 users have access to the legendary iPhone App Store where over 100,000 apps are available for download for free or a small cost.

In comparison, BlackBerry's app store, the App World, which was launched last year, is a far cry even as RIM attempts to attract developers to build software applications for the device

The Torch 9800, which comes with BlackBerry 6 OS boasts of an improved user interface; multi-tasking capability; gesture controls such as iPhone-esque pinch-to-zoom feature; an improved notification system; a universal inbox; a universal search bar; and a new media player. The Torch 9800 also boasts of accelerometer, ambient light sensor and a proximity sensor.

The new Apple device too comes with multi-tasking capability; gesture and multi-touch controls that have become legendary; a one touch universal search function; a unified inbox; and a slick user interface.

The iPhone 4 too has accelerometer,

ambient light sensor, proximity sensor

and something more - the three axis gyro

sensor.

The iPhone 4 also has voice memo and

voice control functions and can act as a

tethering device to help you stay

connected to the Internet anywhere in

the world.

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is no doubt good and perhaps the best BlackBerry RIM has launched to date. Though I'm not a big fan myself of vertical slider phones, RIM has done a good job in combining a physical keyboard as well as a touchscreen in the device. Nothing about the Torch 9800 feels cheap or under-designed also.

However, there's nothing in the Torch 9800 that really represents a leap forward beyond what others smartphones are offering, especially the iPhone.

In conclusion, the Torch 9800 may be able to help RIM hold its ground against the iPhones and Androids of the world. It may also help the company rise in the ranks of smartphone makers, perhaps even help it gain some market share. But don't expect the Torch 9800 to blow away the competition, especially the iPhone 4.