HTC Touch Viva InDepth Specs Pricing and Pros & Cons

Overview of HTC Touch Viva

The HTC Touch Viva was introduced to the market in September 2008 and released in October of the same year. Although now discontinued, this smartphone was designed to cater to professionals and tech enthusiasts who demanded functionality coupled with a sleek design. Operating on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, the device was recognized for its user-friendly interface, driven by the innovative TouchFLO software that enabled users to navigate efficiently.

Design and Build

The HTC Touch Viva embodied a compact and lightweight design, ideal for users who required a device that was easy to carry and operate with one hand. The phone's dimensions were 104.5 x 59 x 15.8 mm, and it weighed just 110 g. This design not only made it pocket-friendly but also provided comfort during prolonged usage. The phone featured a 2.8-inch resistive touchscreen capable of displaying 65K colors, although it was not the most vibrant display by today's standards. The screen resolution was 240 x 320 pixels, delivering a satisfactory display experience for its time.

Network and Connectivity

Supporting GSM 850/900/1800/1900 bands, the HTC Touch Viva ensured connectivity across several networks. Although it did not support 3G or 4G networks, the device offered reliable GPRS (Class 10) and EDGE (Class 10) connectivity, which were sufficient for basic mobile internet usage in its era. Furthermore, the inclusion of Wi-Fi 802.11b/g allowed users to access high-speed internet on supported networks, while Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support enabled seamless connectivity for wireless audio devices.

Performance and Software

The device was powered by a TI OMAP 850 chipset and a 200 MHz ARM926EJ-S CPU. While not extremely fast, this hardware allowed the HTC Touch Viva to run basic applications and tasks smoothly. The smartphone was equipped with 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM for storing applications, with an option to expand storage through a dedicated microSD card slot. The Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system offered various business features and Microsoft's suite of office applications, making it a reliable tool for professionals at the time.

Camera Capabilities

Despite its primary focus on functionality and productivity, the HTC Touch Viva did feature a 2 MP rear camera. This allowed users to capture basic pictures and videos. However, the lack of a front-facing camera meant that video calls and selfies were not possible, which limited its multimedia capabilities. The absence of advanced camera features or high resolution was a trade-off for the device's compact and work-oriented design.

Battery Performance

The HTC Touch Viva was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery. This battery provided a standby time of up to 270 hours and a talk time of up to 8 hours. For its time, this was considered adequate for a day's moderate usage. The ability to remove and replace the battery also offered an added convenience to users who traveled frequently and required additional battery life on the go.

Sound and Audio

The device included a loudspeaker for hands-free calls and media playback, although it did not feature a 3.5mm headphone jack. This was somewhat limiting for users accustomed to traditional headphones, but Bluetooth connectivity mitigated this by supporting wireless audio devices. The focus remained on delivering sufficient sound quality for necessary tasks rather than high-fidelity music experiences.

Additional Features

The HTC Touch Viva did not include GPS or radio, focusing instead on productivity and essential business tools. The internet browser, WAP 2.0/xHTML, and HTML (PocketIE) provided users access to web-based resources, a valuable feature for professionals on the move. Despite lacking in certain entertainment aspects, the device's straightforward functionality made it a popular choice for business users.

Market Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, the HTC Touch Viva was priced at approximately 140 EUR, making it a mid-range option compared to higher-end devices with more features. It served as a gateway for many users to the world of touch-based smartphones. Even though its capabilities were limited by today’s standards, at the time, it was praised for its design, ease of use, and solid build quality.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the HTC Touch Viva represented a critical step in smartphone evolution, paving the way for more advanced devices. While it may not stand out against modern smartphones due to its limited connectivity and multimedia capabilities, the HTC Touch Viva was instrumental in driving the initial wave of touchscreen adoption and laid the groundwork for future innovations from HTC and other manufacturers.