HTC HD2 review (2)

The HTC HD2 is powered by Qualcomm’s new 1-Ghz Snapdragon processor. As you'd expect from a phone sporting a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, switching between and using apps simultaneously is a breeze. We had no issues running three apps at a time, or in fact doing anything. Even photos processed instantly which is one area where HTC handsets normally lag.

Talking of the camera, photos are not what you'd expect from a top-range multimedia handset, but as its nearest competitor also suffers from a pretty sub-standard camera, it'll do for us.

What is annoying though is the fact you have to tap an icon on the screen to release the shutter. We'd certainly prefer a hardware button at the top of the device, because it's where your finger naturally rests when you hold the phone in landscape form.

The HTC HD2 also features HTC Messages, the manufacturer's own text message app. It displays your conversations in threaded form, just like the iPhone, BlackBerry and Palm devices. What it doesn't do though is mark them clearly (such as in different colours), to show which are your messages and which are your contacts.

The default browser is Opera, which is a welcome inclusion - you can also use the HTC HD2's multitouch abilities to zoom in and out of webpages, just as you can on iPhone.

Windows Marketplace will need to be downloaded and installed when you first try to fire the app up. What does become immediately clear though is that the store has been designed for devices with smaller screens because the text, like the screen, is massive.

The Windows Media Player is tip top, displaying cover art that you can scroll through by sweeping up and down. What is a little strange is that the 3.5mm earphone jack is at the bottom of the device, alongside the microUSB port, so you'll have to position the phone upside down in your pocket if you're listening while on the move.

The HTC HD2 certainly sits at the top of HTC's portfolio with a range-topping feature set. Nothing is missed out here and the huge, high-resolution capacitive touchscreen, coupled with HTC's Sense UI, makes this a real winner in the Windows game.

Tata DOCOMO earlier announced an exclusive package for the HTC HD2 customers. With this special offer, users who purchase an HTC HD2 phone will get 6 months free data usage of 500 MB per month.

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