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INTRODUCTION
The HD2 is a legend. Not only is it the first Windows Mobile device with a capacitive multitouch display (and you thought it wasn't possible!), but it has the largest screen of any smartphone on the market at 4.3". The display, coupled with a screaming fast 1GHz Snapdragon processor, tons of RAM, and a robust GPU, equates to a device that is not only gorgeous but also very fast. The HD2 is now shipping in Europe, and is slated for a US release in Q1 2010. Is this your next phone? Read on for our full review!
WHAT'S HOT
The HTC HD2 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8250 processor running at 1024MHz. It has 512MB ROM (201MB accessible), 448MB RAM (207MB accessible), and has a microSD/HC expansion slot for added memory. The capacitive touchscreen is 4.3" and is WVGA 480x800 resolution. It's a quadband GSM (850/900/1800/1900) phone with dualband UMTS (900/2100) with HSDPA and HSUPA. It also has assisted GPS, WiFi b & g, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, USB 2.0, an accelerometer, FM radio, proximity sensor, and a digital compass. For audio, the HD2 has a 3.5mm headphone jack, and for syncing and charging there is a microUSB port. The rear camera is
5MP with auto focus and a dual flash. Powering the device is a 1230mAh battery. For even more specs, check out PDAdb.net.
(all images link to higher resolution)
The HD2 is adorned with a large piece of glass on the front that spans from edge to edge. Despite having the largest screen of any smartphone on the market, it's just 11mm thick.
WHAT'S IN
THE BOX
The HD2 comes with a USB sync cable, wall charger, real leather case, headphones, software and manuals.
THE DEVICE
HTC made great use of the huge screen with many enhancements made to the multimedia applications. Shown here is the new coverflow display for the music player. Beautiful!
The device comes with a high quality leather case. At first, it's a very tight fit, but it quickly loosens up.
The case includes no belt clip and is essentially a sleeve.
In-hand, the device does feel large, but not massive, and the high level of build quality is apparent from the moment you hold the device for the first time.
The photo viewing experience on the HD2 is incredible. The quality of the screen itself is top notch with bright colors and even backlighting.
This is a look at the new photo/video gallery, which allows you to beautifully flick through your media. More on this on page two.
This picture doesn't quite capture the visibility of the screen in bright light, which is actually above average.
On the left side of the device we have the volume rocker. From this view you can see the nice brushed metal texture used for the buttons.
On the bottom, we have a 3.5mm headphone jack, plus microUSB for syncing and charging. This is the first time HTC has gone with microUSB.
The right side of the device is bare.
There are five hardware buttons on the bottom of the screen, none of which are programmable, sadly. These buttons will glow when the ambient light conditions are dim. Interestingly, HTC has placed the power/standby button on the bottom of the device, instead of on the top as with previous devices. For the sake of one-handed usability, this new placement is better.
Flipping over to the back, we reveal the 5.0MP camera with the dual LED flash. The back battery cover is real brushed metal. Above and below the brushed metal is a rubbery texture that makes the device feel secure in hand.
Zooming into the camera we get a closer look at the speaker, camera sensor, and flash. Sadly, the speakerphone distorts too easily. Even at minimum volume, there is distortion. Another problem is that the area around the camera lens is very sharp.
Taking off the back battery cover (which requires a fair amount of effort) we reveal the SIM card slot. Near the red dot (which is the soft reset hole) is the microSD slot.
Here's a tour of the hardware features.
Here's a comparison shot. From left to right we have: Acer neoTouch S200, HTC Touch HD, HTC HD2, iPhone 3GS, Verizon HTC Imagio.
Here they are stacked.
Click onto the next page where we'll cover the new Sense user interface on the HD2!
