Video Tour: HTC Arrive
Mar 15, 2011, 1:38 PM by Eric M. Zeman
updated Mar 15, 2011, 2:24 PM
Phone Scoop received an HTC Arrive review unit from Sprint today. The Arrive is the first CDMA Windows Phone 7 device for Sprint and offers a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Here are our first impressions and hands-on video tour.
The HTC Arrive is a chubby little phone. It is weighty and thick, thanks in part to the sideways-sliding form factor and metal materials used in its manufacture. The materials feel good, though, and the nicely rounded edges make it comfortable to hold despite its bulk.
The display is of an average size for this class of device, and there are three capacitive buttons below it. The dedicated camera key is on the right side of the Arrive.
The slider mechanism is interesting. It slides back, and then when it reaches the end of its track, pops the screen up to a comfortable viewing angle. The spring and hinge that hold the angled screen in place feel solid and when you press down on the display, it will pop back up. You have to push and hold it down before you can slide the device closed.
Is the keyboard worth all this extra weight and bulk. Meh. It's a bit too flat for my tastes. The keys have little shape and the travel and feedback weren't satisfying. However, it is a roomy keyboard, and offers five rows of keys, including a dedicated row for numbers. For those who absolutely have to have a physical keyboard, there are worse ones out there.
Other hardware features include a 3.5mm headset jack, power/lock key, microUSB port, volume toggle, camera with flash.
Here is a quick unboxing and video tour of the hardware so you can see what we're talking about. Phone Scoop's full review will "Arrive" in the coming days.
About the author, Eric M. Zeman:Eric has been covering the mobile telecommunications industry for 17 years at various print and online publications. He studied at Rutgers Newark and University of Kentucky, and has a degree in writing. He likes playing guitar, attending concerts, listening to music, and driving sports cars.
Review: HTC Arrive
Windows Phone 7: Hands-On
FCC Reveals Sprint-Bound LG Windows Phone
U.S. Cellular Announces Its First Windows Phone
Windows Phone 7 'Arrives' at Sprint with HTC Phone
HTC Arrive / 7 Pro (CDMA)
Comments
Compare to HTC Touch Pro 2
Many Sprint customer using the Windows-based HTC Touch Pro 2 are considering upgrading to the HTC Arrive. Your review will only be complete if it includes specific comparisons of the two models.
Thanks!!!!
Keep up the good work!!!
Screen is a bit too small, should've gone with 4" screen in my opinion and dropped the keyboard.
Horizontal keyboard doesn't fit well with WinPhone7.
P...
(continues)
