HTC HD2 Reviewed — Sweet, sweet, sweet
The HTC HD2 is definitely looking like the best-equipped smartphone, superphone, app phone, phone out there, without doubt. The large screen and powerful Snapdragon processor make the HD2 the phone to beat, hardware-wise.
Mobility Minded has published an extensive review that gets my tech lust going into overdrive. The HTC Sense UI coupled with Windows Mobile 6.5 looks phenomenal, and their findings about the performance of the HD2 were outstanding. They give the most comprehensive look at the Sense interface I have seen, and it is impressive how deep HTC has ingrained it into the operation of the phone.
The HD2 has some interesting utilities, such as the Wi-Fi router app and the Worldcard app that snaps photos of business cards and converts them to Outlook contacts. There is even a way to wirelessly print from the phone to a Bluetooth or network printer.
Check out the review to see why the HTC HD2 is a phone I really want to get in hand. The review conclusion sums it up well (emphasis theirs):
The HTC HD2 is a very well balanced Windows Phone for various usage scenarios, and with a bulk load of added value not only in terms of technology and hardware but also in terms of software innovations as well. HTC has done an amazing job and set the bars significantly higher.
Thanks James, for writing a little piece on your website about this review
Much appreciated!
Paul
You’re going to send the HD2 to me now, right?
Sadly we had to send it back to the PR-agency.
But I must thank them for letting us play a few days (hours) with the HD2.
I wonder how it compares with Nokia’s N900.
Slashgear have some photos comparing keyboards here: http://www.slashgear.com/htc-hd2-vs-nokia-n900-keyboard-comparison-0362604/
I’m curious to know how that processor will eat into battery life. I would like to see HTC offer an extended battery option for all-day use.
Well the “review” was actually more of a walk through with anecdotal impressions and we certainly had a more than a few of these lately…
The phone should be a success for HTC, thought it has lost it’s early buzz. It does have issues, starting with the camera; the same basic module HTC been using for some time now. LED illumination will help in certain low light situations where the camera can be held absolutely stationary, but in general will be no help for what is basically a slow small aperture lens. Also, once again HTC doesn’t provide a dedicate hardware shutter release. HTC saves a few pennies at the expense of convenience.
After backpedaling on the Diamond2, HTC has caved to customer demand and provided a 3.5mm audio jack, but unlike the original HD, mysteriously position it on the bottom edge of the phone. Again, HTC saves a few pennies, the cost of the coax cable that was used in the HD.
But perhaps the biggest question about the HD2: will its success necessarily translate into a win for Microsoft? HTC has now so thoroughly disguised Windows Mobile, does anyone really care anymore what OS lies under Sense?
My quibbles aside, I look forward to having my own HD2 in a couple of weeks.
As to the Mobility Minded folks: a little more data please! (battery life, audio quality: call and media playback, video play back, camera: MTF, grain, color accuracy – just to name a few.)