HTC Touch Dual
Average Ratings
Touch with keys!
If you like the HTC Touch, you'll love this phone. The keyboard really opens up this device to a little more demanding email responses and application usage. Even with WM 6.1 you do need the stylus for some finicky functions (it's no iPhone)[which really isn't always a bad thing].
*Like the Home Screen with weather and message overview
*Like the TouchFlo and ease to get to major apps
*Like how thin it is, surprisingly actually
*Like the big screen for taking pictures and reading full emails
*Like the Transcriber for jotting down quick notes in full sentences
*Even like to use the stylus for some more detailed apps
*Don't like that Microsoft is releasing their software without a better finger touch interface
*Don't like the Bluetooth interface, it's a little skittish at times
*Don't like the browser, but who really surfs the net on these things yet...
All in all, probably my favorite smart phone to date...and I have played with most of them. Sounds like it's coming to Best Buy soon, little help from CPW?
http://www.phonemag.com/htc-touch-dual-makes-its-way-to-the-fcc-042411.php
Great at first... then completely horrible
I've had the phone for just over 5 months. Well it was excellent for the first three months or so. Windows Mobile is pretty good on this phone. Then after about four months, the screen was unresponsive on the bottom if it was slid up. Now the entire touchscreen doesn't work. It's due to a loose connection in the cables which I've found out is very common with this phone. I absolutely loved this phone but now it's a worthless piece of crap. They don't even have a fix for it yet it's been a known problem for over a year now.
Pros:
-WinMo is good, little laggy if too many programs running.
-Battery life is good.
-Pretty responsive screen (at first)
-stylus is very nice, rarely comes loose
-the slide up speed dial/music/photo/videos etc menu is nice.
Cons:
-No wifi
-Stupid placement for antenna... at the bottom of the phone on the back where your hand holds it so it blocks reception
-screen gets out of alignment often
-2nd camera stopped working after 3 months
-mediocre 2MP camera, no flash
-keypad sucks horribly, sometimes unresponsive or too easy to hit alot of buttons
-speaker is too loud
It's not worth $300. HTC is not much help. I had high recommendations for them at first but now... eh. I wouldn't buy this phone again since it has way too many flaws that you will eventually find out. I really loved the concept of this phone at first but it's not worth it if it's just going to break like it did. How can you make a touchscreen phone when the screen stops working? STUPID.
Amazing Upgrade
I upgraded to the Touch Dual from the Tilt (8925) and have to say that I have absolutely no regrets.
I was worried that I would hate the 20 key qwerty coming from the Tilt's full qwerty, but after a week of getting the new xT9 to learn the words I normally use I have no issue texting one handed.
The touch screen feels much more responsive and programs feel slightly snappier than that of the Tilt. Pocket IE is still pretty useless (not HTC's fault), so I would recommend installing Opera Mobile right away to get the full touch experience from the internet.
The HTC home screen is a godsend! Hands down the most useful, informative, all inclusive homescreen I have ever had in a phone. I rarely ever need to use the Start Menu, which is incredibly liberating.
I thought I would miss the GPS and Wifi that I had on the tilt, but just running off AT&T's data network has shown little to no real slowdown to that of Wifi. I've found that using Google Maps is just as good, albeit not quite as exact, but thats what my car's nav unit is for.
Overall, the Touch Dual is a great phone and I would highly recommend it.
PROs:
- Great compact size while still usable
- Touchscreen is very responsive
- Outstanding fit and finish
- 20 key qwerty does not disappoint
CONs:
- 20 key qwerty takes a week or so to get used to
- Sexy finish is distracting
Awesome with some limitations
I use T-Mobile as my provider and had been using the MDA for two years now. My main complaints with the MDA are the slow processor, memory capacity and reception. The HTC Touch Dual takes care of the first two problems, but I find that the reception is identical to my MDA, so if you are thinking of upgrading from an MDA to this and expect better signal strength, think again. It's just a little thicker than the keyboard section of the MDA. The fit and finish is very nice. It has a solid feel to it. The most surprising thing that stands out to me is the screen. My MDA had a recessed screen. The Touch Dual has a glass (I think it's glass) cover that is flush with the surface of the phone, and that makes it easier to input data, for me at least. It also gives the phone a much sleeker and sophisticated look. My MDA survived a fair amount of abuse, so I am confident that this isn't a fragile phone.
Aside from the signal strength, this is an incredible phone. I bought mine at Best Buy and have already fallen in love with it. the home screen is incredible, and integrated Windows Live is a nice bonus.
One more thing, and this could be a HUGE problem. The unit on sale in the US is different than what has been reviewed. The USB port on this unit is on the bottom, covered by a piece of plastic. Ever photo I have seen so far shows the USB port on the side. This means that any accessory you buy may not fit or work the way you think.
