The Benchmark Smarphone (1/4)
HTC Touch Pro2 with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
INTRODUCTION
If you're looking for the most comprehensive HTC Touch Pro 2 review on the internet, you've come to the right place. The device in question is possibly the most highly anticipated Windows Mobile device of all time. It marks the return of the tilting screen made popular by the HTC TyTN II (and its many variants such as the AT&T Tilt), plus the debut of some new technologies out of HTC that should very much appease the business professional. This device will see a release on almost every major carrier around the world, so chances are you'll be able to grab one at a subsidized price in the coming months. Read on for the exciting review of the HTC Touch Pro2!
WHAT'S HOT
Let's do a rundown of specs. The Touch Pro2 sports a Qualcomm MSM7200A processor running at 528MHz. It has 512MB ROM (with 287MB accessible), 288MB RAM (with 188MB accessible), and has a microSD/HC expansion slot for added memory. The resistive touchscreen is 3.6" and is WVGA 480x800 resolution, making for a pixel density of 259ppi (the Touch Diamond's screen is 285ppi, the Touch Diamond2's screen is 292ppi, and the iPhone's screen is 164ppi). 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, a proximity sensor, and an accelerometer for screen rotations in Opera Mobile and while viewing the photo gallery. The rear camera is 3.2MP with auto focus and no flash, and the front camera for video calls is VGA resolution. Powering all of this is a 1500mAh battery. For even more specs, check out PDAdb.net.
(all images link to larger versions)
The Touch Pro2 is a beautiful device. It looks and feels high-end. The flush touchscreen is 3.6" and WVGA resolution, making for a beautiful and crisp picture.
The Touch Pro2 shows us how far we've come in mobile device engineering, and we're happy to see the tilting screen return.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
Here is the unboxing video for the Touch Pro2. Included in the box is a USB cable, wall charger, extra stylus, case, screen protector, some software/documentation, the battery, and oh yes, the device.
The case that the Touch Pro2 comes with is indeed leather, though it won't fit on your belt.
THE DEVICE
The advantages to having a tilting screen are many. It allows for optimum viewing angle when typing, it allows you to easily watch a movie without holding your device, and it's great if you're using GPS navigation in the car.
Watching HD video using CorePlayer on the Touch Pro2 is a great experience. It would have been nice if HTC had included a good enough video player that could handle more than just a few file types.
There is no D-Pad on the Touch Pro2, which isn't missed too much thanks to a well optimized interface for touch operation. The front of the device is characterized by the large screen, and four hardware keys below.
The keyboard has an offset arrangement and provides much improved surface area over the TyTN II or Touch Pro. This will be a great for people with medium or large-sized hands. The overall feel of the keyboard is terrific, and we really like the dedicated number row at the top.
Zooming into the top we have the speaker. To the left of that is the system status light, with a light sensor to the right of that. Also up top is a front-facing video camera. There's a proximity sensor up here somewhere.
On the bottom, we have the zoom slider which will operate only in Opera Mobile, the photo gallery and IE Mobile. Below that are hardware keys for call start and end, the Start menu, and ok/back.
Flipping over to the side, we see the Touch Pro2 dressed in a bit of chrome. The stylus isn't magnetic like it was on the Touch Pro, but it does still turn on the screen when you slide it out. On the right there is a small hole which is the secondary microphone. This is used in conjunction with the primary microphone to provide noise cancellation while using the Straight Talk speakerphone (more on this later).
On the bottom is the primary microphone, along with HTC's ExtUSB port. You can use all miniUSB cables with this port. Also, since there is no 3.5mm headphone jack, audio comes through here.
On the left side we have the volume rocker.
The back of the Touch Pro2 is a work of art. In the center we have a piece of brushed aluminum (or, a good imitation of brushed aluminum). Outside of that there is a gray plastic texture. Surrounding everything is a silver metallic border which doesn't pick up fingerprints. Nice!
Closer in on the top we see the 3.2MP camera, which has auto focus but no flash. Below that is the mute button for Straight Talk. Surrounding the camera are the dual system speakers. What is Straight Talk? It's an advanced speakerphone. While on a call, if you flip the device onto its face, the speakerphone turns on and the button above turns green. The device then uses two microphones for noise cancellation, and two speakers to help boost the audio.
Does it work? Yes, it does. As a test, I talked to someone in a bathroom with the water on full blast. Without using the speakerphone, I could hear the water running. When the phone was flipped on its face, the water sound was quieted. The audio quality isn't amazing coming from the dual speakers (hey, it's still a cell phone), but it will work well for people that need a better speakerphone solution than what is found on other professional smartphones.
Taking off the battery cover we reveal the 1500mAh battery, which has the SIM card slot beneath. Also back here is the red soft reset hole to the left of the battery.
Sadly, the microSD slot is placed under the battery cover.
When the lights get dim, the bottom four hardware buttons illuminate.
The backlighting on the keyboard is super cool. Not only does each key light up, but there is a gentle glow that emanates from beneath each key.
Here is the hardware tour video in case you missed it.
COMPARISONS
Please excuse the dirty screen of the device on the left, it has seen a lot of use =D. From left to right we have the TyTN II, then the Touch Pro, then the Touch Pro2. Yes, the whole family!
Here is a comparison of the keyboards.
The screen on the Touch Pro2 only tilts 50 degrees, whereas the TyTN II could tilt to almost 80 degrees.
Here is a line up of similar devices. From left to right: TyTN II, Touch Pro, Touch Pro2, Touch HD, Touch Diamond2, and the iPhone.
Here they are in reverse order, stacked.
Click onto the next page where we'll talk about software and the new and improved version of TouchFLO 3D that comes on this device.
