Overview
The HTC Touch Diamond, announced in May 2008, was one of the pioneering smartphones in an era transitioning from simple mobile communication devices to powerful, pocket-sized computers. Known for its striking design and innovative features, the HTC Touch Diamond laid the groundwork for the advanced smartphones we rely on today.
Design and Build
The HTC Touch Diamond's design was a standout feature at its time. With dimensions of 102 x 51 x 11.5 mm and weighing just 110 grams, it was compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around. Its elegant black and white colors added a sleek aesthetic, visually distinguishing it from other devices. The back panel, inspired by a diamond's cuts, contributed to both style and ergonomics.
Display
The device sported a 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels. With a pixel density of approximately 286 ppi, it delivered sharp and colorful images, essential for both business applications and personal entertainment. However, the resistive touchscreen required more pressure compared to today’s capacitive screens, which could be seen as a drawback in terms of touch responsiveness.
Performance
Under the hood, the HTC Touch Diamond was powered by the Qualcomm MSM7201A chipset and a 528 MHz ARM 11 CPU, accompanied by the Adreno 130 GPU. While these specifications may seem modest today, they provided a robust performance for the time, capable of handling the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS efficiently. Multitasking was supported by 192MB of RAM, which was significant for a device of that era.
Storage
The device offered 4GB of internal storage, providing ample space for applications and media files. Notably, it lacked a card slot, meaning users could not expand storage capacity. This was a limiting factor, especially for users who needed more space for multimedia content.
Camera
The HTC Touch Diamond was equipped with a 3.15 MP main camera that featured autofocus and could record video at CIF resolution at 30fps. For video calls, a VGA front camera was included, enhancing its utility for business users who relied on conference calls. Although the camera capabilities were basic by today’s standards, they were competitive at the time.
Battery Life
A removable Li-Ion 900 mAh battery powered the device, offering up to 285 hours of standby time and up to 5 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. While these figures were decent, the reliance on active applications and features like GPS would significantly drain the battery, a common challenge for smartphones of this generation.
Connectivity
The HTC Touch Diamond was equipped with comprehensive connectivity options. It supported 3G HSDPA networks, offering data speeds up to 7.2 Mbps. For local connectivity, it included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS support, and a miniUSB port. However, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack was a notable limitation, requiring users to depend on adapters for audio accessories.
Operating System and Software
The device operated on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, providing users with a familiar interface akin to the desktop Windows environment. Though it supported basic productivity applications and a customizable home screen, the platform faced competition from more rapidly evolving operating systems like Android and iOS, which offered more robust app ecosystems.
Additional Features
The device was equipped with useful sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor. Additionally, it featured a stereo FM radio with RDS, providing an alternative for media consumption. The browser supported WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML, although web browsing was somewhat limited by the processing power and screen size.
Audio and Sound Quality
The HTC Touch Diamond included a loudspeaker, with an audio performance registering at 66 dB for voice and ringing. Although it lacked a 3.5mm audio jack, the audio clarity in terms of noise and crosstalk was rated well, contributing to a satisfactory media playback experience.
Legacy and Impact
The HTC Touch Diamond represented a pivotal shift towards more advanced mobile computing. Its focus on design, user interface innovations, and connectivity set the stage for future smartphones. Despite being discontinued, it remains a significant part of smartphone history, illustrating the rapid evolution of mobile technology in the late 2000s.
HTC Touch Diamond Key Features
- Compact design with dimensions of 102 x 51 x 11.5 mm and a weight of 110 g.
- Resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels, offering high pixel density (~286 ppi).
- Powered by Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, Qualcomm MSM7201A chipset, and 528 MHz ARM 11 CPU.
- Internal storage of 4GB with 192MB RAM, although no card slot for expandability.
- Main camera of 3.15 MP with autofocus capability.
- VGA front camera facilitating video calls.
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless connectivity.
- Integrated GPS with A-GPS support for navigation.
- Stereo FM radio with RDS for live audio entertainment.
- Equipped with sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor.
- Removable 900 mAh Li-Ion battery providing up to 285 hours of standby time and up to 5.5 hours of talk time.
Drawbacks of HTC Touch Diamond
- No memory card slot for external storage expansion.
- Limited internal storage of 4GB, which may not be sufficient for all users.
- The resistive touchscreen might not be as responsive as modern capacitive touchscreens.
- No 3.5mm headphone jack, limiting audio accessory compatibility.
- Battery capacity is relatively low at 900 mAh, affecting long-term usage.
- Uses the outdated Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS.
- VGA front camera may not meet quality expectations for selfies or video calls.
- Discontinued status, meaning lack of official support and updates.
- Screen size of 2.8 inches is small compared to contemporary smartphones.
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