BlackBerry Torch 9800 coming to 3

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone is set to emerge on Orange and Vodafone in the UK, but now a third operator has added its name to the list of those stocking the mobile.

3 will also be offering the slick looking Torch, which boasts both a larger (3.2 inch) touchscreen and a slide-out Qwerty keypad, along with a 5 megapixel camera, GPS, wi-fi and 3G.

The handset also comes loaded with BlackBerry OS 6. The latest version of the operating system sports a social networking hub, and a WebKit powered browser featuring tabs, multi-touch and pinch-to-zoom.

Pricing for the Torch 9800 has yet to be confirmed, and the same goes for the release date, but Rim will be hoping this new handset can cut into the iPhone 4′s sales when it emerges. Or more to the point, perhaps, help fend off the advance of Android powered smartphones…