HTC's Touch HD Windows Mobile smartphone
Written on 13.48 by jenny
The HTC Touch HD is a simplistic and stylish device, in a tablet-style form factor. It's quite a large device, measuring 115mm x 62.8mm x 12mm (4.4" x 2.5" x .47"), and weighs a fairly substantial 147g (5.2oz). The front is dominated by the huge 3.8 inch touch-sensitive WVGA (480x800 pixel) resolution display, which is capable of showing 65,000 colors. Beneath this beautiful display are four touch-sensitive keys, comprising the 'Send' and 'End' keys, plus dedicated 'Home' and 'Back' keys. The only other buttons on the handset are the power button on the top edge and the volume rocker on the left side. The power button houses a notification light to show when the device is low on battery/charging/charged, and signify when a missed call or new message has been received. Unfortunately, it is mounted nearly totally flush with the casing, so is difficult to press.
Above the display is the earpiece, light sensor, and forward-facing camera lens. The whole front of the device is covered by a glossy panel that shows up fingerprints and somewhat harms the legibility of the display in bright conditions. Unlike the iPhone, this panel is not made from glass, and compresses slightly when poking the screen. Thankfully, HTC have included a screen protector in the sales package, but I was unable to fit it without getting a bubble along at least one edge. The screen worked fine with this fitted, though still compressed when touched.
Surrounding the front panel is a shiny black beveled edge to finish off the attractive fascia of the device. Aside from the earlier mentioned buttons, the sides are mostly bare, with only a 3.5mm headphone port on the top edge, and a USB port and microphone pinhole on the bottom. The battery cover occupies most of the Touch HD's rear, and is clad in soft-touch plastic that offers good grip and resistance to fingerprints. The lens for the 5-megapixel camera is also found on the rear, set in the middle of a raised area sporting a brushed-metal effect. Next to this is a tiny grille for the device's loudspeaker.
The bottom end of the Touch HD is clad in more shiny black plastic. Here you'll find the magnetized active stylus, located in the right side of the device. The device's rounded edges, combined with its soft touch plastics and beveled front, give it a pleasant in-hand feel. Overall, the Touch HD feels well constructed and there are no creaks or squeaks to be heard from the covers, either.
