HTC S730 The Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of the HTC S730

The HTC S730, also known as the HTC Wings, was a groundbreaking device when it was released in December 2007. Building on the success of its predecessor, the HTC S710, the S730 came equipped with the latest technologies that were available at the time, offering both corporate users and general consumers a versatile and practical solution for mobile communications. As a smartphone that combined a physical QWERTY keyboard with a compact design, it was a precursor to the phones we see today.

Design and Build Quality

The HTC S730 boasted a robust design with dimensions measuring 105.8 x 51 x 19.4 mm, giving it a solid and heavy feel at 150 grams. This made the phone not only durable but also comfortable to hold. The device featured a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which was a major selling point, providing users with an easy way to type emails and messages quickly and efficiently. The metal grey color gave it a sleek and professional appearance, suitable for business environments.

Display

The phone featured a 2.4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. Although relatively small by today's standards, the screen was adequate for the time, providing a decent display for browsing and application use. The display was capable of showing 65K colors, which was standard for smartphones of that era. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 33.1%, it offered a functional visual interface for users.

Performance and Software

Powered by a Qualcomm MSM7200 chipset, the HTC S730 featured a 400 MHz ARM 11 processor along with an Adreno 130 GPU. Although not the fastest processor available, it was sufficient for handling the Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard operating system. This version of Windows Mobile provided users with a basic yet functional platform, enabling them to run essential business applications and tools for communication, such as email and web browsing.

Memory and Storage

The HTC S730 came with 64MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM, which provided enough memory for basic multitasking and operation of the Windows Mobile system. For additional storage, the device featured a microSD slot, allowing users to expand the storage capacity to accommodate more applications, photos, and documents, making it a flexible option for on-the-go professionals.

Camera Capabilities

Equipped with a 2 MP rear camera, the HTC S730 offered basic photography capabilities, allowing users to capture images and videos. Although not on par with modern smartphone cameras, it served adequately for casual photography needs. The device also featured a VGA front-facing camera for video calls, aligning with the business communication needs of the era.

Connectivity Options

The HTC S730 provided a range of connectivity options, including GSM and HSPA network technologies, which enabled 3G browsing speeds (HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps). It supported Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, ensuring users could connect to wireless networks when available. Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP allowed for wireless audio streaming and data exchange. Moreover, the device included GPS functionality in the latest firmware updates, enhancing navigation capabilities. The phone supported a miniUSB for charging and data transfer, although it lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Battery and Power Management

The phone housed a removable Li-Ion 1050 mAh battery, which offered a decent standby time of up to 290 hours on 2G and 388 hours on 3G networks. Talk time on the HTC S730 was competitive, providing up to 5 hours and 18 minutes on 2G and up to 3 hours and 30 minutes on 3G. This ensured that business users could rely on the phone for communication without frequent charging.

Sound and Multimedia

The device supported polyphonic and MP3 ringtones, and it featured a loudspeaker for hands-free communication. With no built-in radio and the absence of a 3.5mm jack, users were limited in terms of traditional media consumption, which was typical of devices at the time. The focus remained on communication and productivity rather than entertainment.

Market Position and Legacy

Upon release, the HTC S730 was priced around 250 EUR, positioning it as a premium device aimed at professionals who required a mobile phone that could handle both business and personal tasks. While it has been discontinued, its influence can still be seen in the continued integration of physical keyboards and smart functionalities in modern devices. The HTC S730 contributed to the evolution of smartphones, delivering a balance of features that met the demands of its time. Despite the strides in technology since its release, the S730 remains a notable example of HTC's innovation in mobile technology.