HTC Advantage X7500

This is undoubtedly the largest mobile devices that we have been able to test! The Advantage X7500 from HTC boasts a superb touch screen 5 inches, which is usually found on GPS autonomous high-end. Obviously, this has resulted in excess of standard dimensions: 13.35 x 9.8 x 1.6 cm with a weight of almost 300 grams. A monster so that you do not keep it easily in a pocket. Whether you do not wear the ear more elsewhere, as much for reasons of overweight than aesthetics. The contours of the screen are sober, with the presence of a small joypad, keys and Windows Ok barely visible, and a button named E (Internet Explorer) and topped with an icon corresponding to the technology VueFLO . We will return later. Around the owner would not be complete if we failed to mention the photo sensor on the front for video calls and the one on the back, accompanied by a flash diode for the shooting. On the right are the button to take pictures, housing stylus, the button access to functions and the wireless button ignition. On the left side there is a knob sound, a headphone jack 3.5 mm, a mini port for connection to PC and the battery charge. Not to mention a connector assigned to specific video VGA connection (to a monitor or video projector). Two speakers provide stereo sound quality passable. A trapdoor in the front reveals the battery, the location for a SIM card (you must remove the battery to be inserted), and for a miniSD memory card. Right next appear contactors used to establish liaison with the removable keyboard.

In fact, this device comes with a flat keyboard for easy data entry. But it distinguishes itself from all its competitors: it is magnetic and just automatically set at the base of the Advantage X7500. The strength of the magnet is enough for the two do not move, even under the shaking of a train or a plane. A small concern: it is appropriate to adopt the precautionary principle and not on the keyboard approach a bank card or an object sensitive to magnetic fields. The keypad keys are flat and widely spaced. They provide a quick strike but do no witnesses seizure. Neither click sound or feeling the draft. To control the strike, it was thus imperative to look at the screen. The keyboard layout is francisée (azerty), but the accents are not as immediately accessible on a PC keyboard. It takes a little manipulation: tap on the vowel, and then on the blue button (function), then press the spacebar to get the right accent. This keyboard end (less than 4 mm) can protect the screen, then he has just fully recovered. A transparent strip can see the bottom of the screen of the Advantage, which automatically detects and displays handling simple data such as the time or the battery charge. Note that a leather cover is provided. In quality, it has been specially designed to accommodate the Advantage X7500 and its keyboard, with holes for the cable connections, the camera ... But it weighs then 460 grams!

The processor selected by HTC is a PXA270 Intel clocked at 624 MHz, supported by 128 MB of RAM and 256 MB of ROM. To this amazing ability addition to 8 GB of a hard disk format MicroDrive. These impressive features are needed to drive the display with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels (VGA), in addition to 65000 colors. HTC also added an ATI graphics processor designed to accelerate the display and control functions photograph. Because the sensor to the rear of the aircraft reaches a resolution of 3 megapixels and earns an autofocus. The quality is better than on previous models HTC, but it is still lower than that of smartphones from Sony Ericsson or Nokia, especially in a dark environment, and despite the presence of a powerful flash diode. The camera can make videos small and unpretentious. The sensor at the front of the camera is used primarily for video calls to 3G. There is also a GPS receiver built into the hull of the aircraft, type SiRF III. It is sensitive enough to work properly even behind glass athermic. It would also subject the AGPS downloading regular (every other day) in a calendar. Another tool, very interesting, makes its appearance, called VueFLO by HTC. It is a gyroscope that simulates the joypad by movements of the camera: on a web page large, you move by tilting the Advantage X7500. The manipulation works quite well, but we do not understand why it is reserved exclusively for Internet Explorer browsers, and Opera. And again, one or the other!

The Advantage X7500 from HTC combines the tools of wireless connection. One absent: the infrared. But this technology is aging advantageously replaced by Bluetooth 2.0, which is compatible with stereo music, Wi-Fi 802,111 b and g, a module quadband GSM and GPRS Edge, compatible with the 3G and HSDPA. What be connected everywhere, or almost! Obviously, there is no question of calling directly with the unit (except in handsfree mode), the use of pedestrian stereo kit (included) or a Bluetooth headset is essential. To control everything, HTC has trusted once again to Microsoft and its operating system Windows Mobile 5 AKU 2, that is ready to receive emails Push. HTC has added some very useful applications. Such is the case with GPRSMonitor SPB, perfect for monitoring your data, JetCet Print for making prints directly from the mobile device, the Adobe Reader to read your PDF documents, the Opera browser 8 to complete Internet Explorer, for Zip your compressed archives, and Sprite Backup for making backups. Not to mention the most important perhaps: Navigator 6, the browser software from TomTom, came with the map of a region. France and Europe are available for a few dozen euros. What about autonomy? With all these features and the display of 5 inches, it was feared the worst. But Advantage X7500 is capable of operating at full capacity for more than 3 hours in normal use for more than 8 hours.

HTC, obviously, is testing different technologies on its ranges of appliances. At the Advantage X7500, the concepts of large screen, keyboard and removable magnetic and gyro, which are being tested clients. Overall, this device is successful, somewhat successful: it gives pride of service to read your mail, reply, see Office documents, knows transform itself into autonomous GPS, all enjoying the superb screen size. We regret, however, that the characteristics give us a bit about our hunger. The screen, with its size, would have benefited from a better resolution. The camera with 3 megapixels deserved a more effective. The function VueFLO could be adapted to all applications. Rest the prices set at over 1000 euro is a blow bludgeon. There are laptops for the same amount, or less. Unfortunately, the technology showcase of HTC is beyond the reach of most budgets.

HTC S620: HTC Excalibur 100

The smartphones are diversifying. In early autumn, Samsung breaking with an excellent aircraft. HTC was no longer alone in this market, and especially the alternative Korean bring lots of new. With the S620, HTC offers a similar terminal, but with some significant advantages.


With the S620, HTC meets a beautiful way to Samsung and its SGH-i320. The slight overweight is justified by the presence of Wi-Fi and particularly a battery more consistent. The interface suffers anyway JOGGR system, inefficient. The presence of a Azerty keyboard and Wi-Fi terminal distinguish this from previous models, and confirm the target professional.

Azerty ergonomic keyboard, screen very good, Wi-Fi, self-correct, timing and recharge via a miniUSB port.

The same miniUSB connector is also used for the kit pedestrian congestion a little high, little JOGGR system usable.

The S620 is distinguished from other HTC smartphones by his screen horizontally and its Azerty keyboard. You can see this device as a real hybrid PDA / Phone, where the absence of touchscreen is offset by the keyboard. At first glance, it looks very much like the model of Samsung: the functional and technical specifications do differ on some details. It should be noted, still managing the Wi-Fi (which is not necessarily useful for all purposes!) .

The S620 is a very large phone, but also very fine. In a jacket pocket or pants, finesse is more important, this choice seems rather clever. However, the width could hamper important people with small hands. Retain all while using the keyboard while they may seem a little complicated.

Unlike MTeoR (3G smartphone HTC), the side of the S620 are counted. There is only the On / Off button (which is also used to enable a profile). No wheel, key to the volume or action of any kind. This choice is a little confusing at first.

For several generations, HTC products offer connectivity MiniUSB. This allows both synchronization and recharge. With the S620, that port is also used for the pedestrian kit (which is itself office headphone stereos). So even if the latter is not necessarily practical (recharge and listening to music: mission impossible), have a universal connector provides a distinct advantage! The device can be reloaded or used as a modem from any Windows PC USB ...

Technological innovation of this smartphone called JOGGR. It is a tactile area right of the screen used as a wheel (vertical scrolling). Let me be clear: we have fun, and 5 minutes after it disables the function. Indeed, in addition to the scroll, 2 zones allow access to messages or going backwards. So a simle grip a little farm of the unit switch screens. In short, only scrolling could be useful. As it is inoperable (except for the very thorough). It should be noted that to change the volume during a phone conversation, only the directional pad, which is not very easy (especially with the wide all!) .

The keyboard Azerty (Qwerty on the test model) might seem small. The provision classic keys and especially their reasonable spacing can quickly enter text. Do not write a novel complete, but a detailed mail remains entirely feasible.

The S620 can receive cards microSD format extensions. The position of the space reserved for this purpose is very strange. The battery should not unfamiliar withdrawn but the back cover, yes! So not quite practical, but still usable.

The grip is very good. But this device remains a phone. So what about the quality of communications? "Good, but can do better" verdict here is a fairly straightforward. The sound is still too low in noisy environments, but the overall quality is that of its predecessors. The interlocutors sometimes complain of a low volume as well. Side ergonomics, the search through the contact number or name remains as effective. And if the small battery (960mAh) could worry at first glance, it proves to be well exploited. In current usage (data, voice, movement, management PIM) camera held two days. If you spend many calls, this result will decline rapidly. And if you use Wi-Fi, do not take more than 2 or 3 hours.

The AFN disappoints a bit (once again). Sensor 1.3Mpixels only, and compression quite high. On the screen 320x240 beautiful photos appear successful. But once spent on the computer, we soon discovered that this is not the case.

In conclusion, we can say that the S620 seems nice. Faced with Samsung SGH-i320, he brings some added features like Wi-Fi and especially the connection MiniUSB. The design is something relative, but confess, however, that on this side Samsung retains a competitive edge. Autonomy reasonable appeal to demanding users, often disappointed by the poor performance of Windows Mobile smartphones.