HTC Touch Pro2 for Sprint Review

Introduction and Design:

Sprint is set to release the HTC Touch Pro2, making it the second national carrier behind T-Mobile to release the business titan and the first time we will see it on a proper 3G network.  The Sprint version is largely the same as what we’d seen in the international and T-Mobile versions, but there are two main differences.  First off is obviously the radio.  This is the CDMA version, but unlike its Touch Pro predecessor it also packs a GSM radio, making it a true world device.  In keeping with Sprint’s open philosophy, the Touch Pro2’s GSM radio is unlocked, meaning that you can pop in your own SIM when across the pond.  It should be noted however that it doesn’t support US GSM bands, meaning you won’t be able to use it on T-Mobile or AT&T domestically.

The other noticeable (and very welcome) change is the inclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack.  We knew this was coming, but it’s always nice to see it in the flesh.  This immediately makes Sprint’s Touch Pro2 a much better media device than the previous variants.  With the massive 3.6”, 480x800 pixel display the Touch Pro2 is a formidable video player, especially since there are programs like CorePlayer which will bring XviD support to the device.  We’re still not crazy about HTC’s stock music player application, but again third-party players are available to fill in.

As is common with variants, Sprint’s Touch Pro2 has gotten a visual makeover as well.  We have to say, unless AT&T really knocks it out of the park we’re digging the Sprint design the best.  The chrome bezel we found on Sprint’s Touch Pro and the original Touch Pro2 is thankfully gone, replaced by a much more attractive and understated gunmetal trim.  We were never a fan of the contrasting colors, although we can’t say we were incredibly excited about T-Mobile’s bronze makeover either.  The back features a very contemporary speaker cutout (or faux cutout, more realistically) with orange accenting that we really like.

Interface:


The TouchFlo 3D 2.1 UI is again here, with a touch of orange as well.  It integrates more deeply into the device and is most apparent in the Start Menu and contacts app.  The contacts rework is amazing; you can link to Facebook profiles for pictures and status updates, and when you’re in a contact you will be able to see your history of SMS and email communications with them.  Unfortunately this integration doesn’t go as deep as Samsung does on the Omnia II, but the parts HTC has reworked are better than what Samsung has done with it.




There are two new TF3D tabs on the Sprint version: Sprint Navigation and SprintTV, both of which do exactly what you’d expect.  The performance was overall snappy, but every now and again we’d run into the normal Windows Mobile lag.  It currently runs WM 6.1, but HTC has announced that the unlocked version will receive a 6.5 update and Sprint has always been on the forefront of WM updates so we’d expect to see one soon enough.  Unlike previous WM devices, this Touch Pro2 allows for over the air firmware updates, another initiative Sprint has spearheaded.



Not that we expected them to change it, but the excellent 5 row QWERTY keyboard is nearly identical to the original version.  The T-Mobile variant changed a number of the second options on the keys, but Sprint has left them mostly intact. The only difference is the removal of the CTRL key, with the addition of a dedicated SMS/MMS one.  The large keys and more than adequate spacing makes this keyboard a dream to type on, though we still give the edge to the BlackBerry Tour because of its option of one-handed typing.

The Touch Pro2 is an upgrade to the Touch Pro in many ways, but it should be noted that they both run on a 528MHz Qualcomm processor with 288MB of RAM and 512MB ROM.  The increased performance can be attributed to HTC tweaking their TouchFLO 3D software.  The device can support microSD expansion up to 32GB, but unfortunately and surprisingly the Sprint Touch Pro2 does not come with a microSD card, nor does it have a carrying case. For $350 we’d expect better.

Performance and Conclusion:

Performance-wiseSprint’s Touch Pro2 was a superstar.  Callers sounded crystal clear to us, though in a noisy environment you may want a bit more volume.  On their end they rated us an 8/10, with their only complaint being we were a bit hollow.  The speakerphone is vastly improved; in the original we had issues with poor sound quality and crackling.  Not so this time around, even at max volume the speaker sounded great and callers actually said we sounded better on it.  They said the hollowness was gone and we sounded a bit louder.

Sprint is making it very clear: the Touch Pro2 is a business device.  It is the most expensive phone on the carrier in several years and with the Palm Pre and forthcoming HTC Hero at nearly half the price, coupled with the more consumer-oriented Diamond2 not appearing on Sprint’s radar we think the company is sending a message that Windows Mobile has its place, and it is not for the average consumer.  Frankly, we tend to agree with them on this.