BlackBerry fans are almost, but not quite, as passionate about their product as iPhone and Apple users in general. Which means any new BlackBerry device gets many people excited beyond the realms of what can be considered normal.

The new BlackBerry this time around is the Torch 9800. And it’s what RiM (Research in Motion) has described as “fresh but familiar.”

The BlackBerry 9800 is, in essence, just another BlackBerry smartphone. It does feature a vertical slider, and it comes with the new BlackBerry OS 6. But can that truly compete with the iPhone OS4 or Droid X.

The BlackBerry is also chunkier than its competitors, and that’s not going to help it make the switch from business to the mainstream. Still, if it floats your boat then check it out.