With Windows Phone 7 becoming a growing force as an operating system within the smartphone arena, we take the HTC HD7 and it’s giant display for a spin.
For many smartphone owners, the handset is only as good as the operating system it runs and for many Irish consumers who got their hands on a HTC HD7 recently, taking the plunge on the Windows 7 for Mobile OS rather than the conventional choice of Android or Apple’s iOS wasn’t a decision to be taken lightly. Or at last we would normally assume so, had the HD7 not boast a stunning 4.3” monster display unlike any smartphone on the market.
We at JOE wanted one and finally we got our hands on one. HTC have quickly established themselves as one of the biggest players in the smartphone segment and the HD7 is without doubt one of the biggest tests of the Windows OS moving forward. With the aforementioned screen and a clever kick-stand (which flips out from where the camera lens appears), the handset looks to impress from the moment you first set eyes upon it.
Typical Tony Madigan, always rushing us…
Aside from the screen and fold-out stand, the HD7 features 16GB memory, a competent 5MP camera (in comparison to the HDC 7 Mozart’s 8MP) and a not-ideal 1230mAh battery, which as most high-end phones these days, will require a daily charge. On the plus side, the interface is extremely smooth throughout, with ultra-responsive tabs owed to the handsets’s 1GHz processor.
The homescreen and its tile-based setup of the phone are already becoming the distinctive face of all Windows Mobile releases and in this respect the HD7’s music, video and browsing options are both swift and intuitive. The tiles and their tree-like structure can be fully customised and made as simple or complex as you like, while onboard mini-apps include a flashlight, photo editor, notes app and sound equaliser.
The screen itself, however,is the real star throughout and though plenty of commentators may bicker over pixel display, we’ll take a giant, cinematic screen over a dinky but precise picture any day.
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With a wealth of features and smart design, the HD7 is a strong contender within the smartphone arena, battling alongside the Samsung Omnia 7 for the prize of best Windows Phone 7 handset on the market.
While a new OS always take some time to get used to, we’ve been impressed with the versatility and sturdiness of Windows thus far, while we’re pondering whether or not to start a petition to ensure all smartphones now come with a 4.3” screen as standard.
The HTC HD7 is available from O2 and Carphone Warhouse stores and costs €479 on prepay.
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