BlackBerry 7 smartphones unveiled as RIM gets next-generation

Bold 9900, Bold 9930, Torch 9810, Torch 9850 and Torch 9860 all set to go on sale this year alongside new software.

Research In Motion has taken the wrappers off five new smartphones running the BlackBerry 7 operating system, with two new Bold handsets and three new Torch devices.

The handsets are apparently in testing with more than 225 mobile operators and distribution partners, with RIM president and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis claiming they represent "the largest global launch of BlackBerry smartphones in our history".

The Bold 9900 and Bold 9930 are being flagged as RIM's thinnest smartphones ever, while the Torch 9850 and Torch 9860 ditch physical keyboards for all-touchscreen designs. Meanwhile, the Torch 9810 combines a touchscreen and keyboard.

The BlackBerry 7 software is the key draw for all these devices, though. It sports a faster browser and the latest version of apps including BBM, Social Feeds and Facebook. Meanwhile, the new devices have beefed-up graphics processors, 1.2GHz processors and HD video recording. NFC is also being pitched as a selling point for the two new Bold smartphones.

These devices and the new software will be critical for RIM's long-term prospects. The company finds itself at a crucial stage, with several surveys in recent months hinting that many existing BlackBerry users may be considering churning over to iOS or Android. BlackBerry 7 and its crop of handsets are RIM's chance to win those users over.