HTC Touch Dual Comprehensive Review of Features Price Pros & Cons

Introduction to HTC Touch Dual

The HTC Touch Dual was one of the prominent smartphones released in the latter part of 2007. As a member of the HTC Touch family, it was designed to deliver an innovative mobile experience, particularly focusing on ease of use and touch-based interface, setting a precedent for future smartphone designs. The device was recognized for its sliding keyboard design, combining traditional hardware input with touch-based interaction.

Design and Build

The HTC Touch Dual boasted a practical and compact design, measuring 107 x 55 x 15.8 mm and weighing approximately 120 grams. Its weight and dimensions made it quite portable and easy to handle. The build featured a sliding mechanism that revealed a half-QWERTY keyboard, catering to users who preferred physical keyboards to touchscreen typing.

Display

The device featured a 2.6-inch TFT resistive touchscreen capable of displaying 65k colors. Despite its relatively small screen by today's standards, it delivered adequate visuals for the applications of that era, with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and approximately 154 ppi pixel density. The screen-to-body ratio was about 35.6%, which was typical during its release period.

Operating System and Performance

The HTC Touch Dual ran on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional. This operating system offered a range of productivity tools suited for professional use, such as Microsoft Office Mobile applications. Underneath, it powered a Qualcomm MSM7200 chipset with a 400 MHz ARM 11 CPU and an Adreno 130 GPU, which together ensured smooth operation for tasks available in 2007. The device included 128MB RAM and 256MB ROM, which were adequate for running applications smoothly in that era, coupled with a microSD slot for memory expansion.

Camera

Photography capabilities were basic, with a single 2 MP camera on the back, sufficient for casual snapshots. Though modest by today's standards, this camera was a standard for business-focused devices of the time. The selfie camera had a CIF resolution which supported video calls but was not intended for high-quality photography.

Audio and Connectivity

For audio, the HTC Touch Dual provided a loudspeaker and supported vibration and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. Unfortunately, it did not include a 3.5mm audio jack, which might have been a limitation for users wanting to use standard headphones without an adapter. In terms of connectivity, the device did not support WLAN, which was a downside, but it did support Bluetooth 2.0 and had a miniUSB port for charging and data transfer. Lacking built-in GPS positioning and FM radio were also noteworthy omissions.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1120 mAh battery. On standby, it could last up to 250 hours, while talk time was limited to approximately 5 hours. This capacity was typical for smartphones of that era.

Market Impact and Legacy

Released at around €130, the HTC Touch Dual targeted users who desired a mix of touch and traditional input. The slide-out keyboard appealed to professionals accustomed to physical typing. Despite its discontinued status, the HTC Touch Dual remains a memorable device in the history of smartphones for its unique design, offering a glimpse into the transitional phase from keypad-oriented phones to full-touchscreen smartphones.

Conclusion

The HTC Touch Dual was a testament to innovative design during a pivotal moment in smartphone evolution. Despite its limitations by current standards, it catered to a specific need with its slide-out keyboard and touch interface, marking a step forward in smartphone development. Today, it serves as a reminder of how far mobile technology has come and the continuous improvements in delivering user-friendly experiences.