HTC HD7 review: Dim the lights

There?s no such thing as a small WP 7 phone. However, 4.3 inches of screen estate are really something else. The best case scenario: the HTC HD7 is the phone you?ve been waiting for. The worst case scenario: it?s too big to fail.

The HTC HD7 was inevitable. Was it not the first Windows Phone 7 ever rumored? And rightly so. There?s no phone too big or too powerful for Windows Phone 7. In fact, if you ask Microsoft they?d say the bigger the better. HTC ? on their part ? didn?t have to think too hard. They simply skipped right to number seven.

HTC HD7 official photos

Come to think of it, it may as well have been exactly with the HTC HD2 in mind that Microsoft laid down the law about the Windows Phone 7 required hardware. Effectively, HTC had a Windows Phone 7 flagship on standby for nearly a year ? waiting for as much as a nod from Microsoft to let it off the leash. Anyway, as we?ve seen on a number of occasions, this whole thing is about getting things done on the biggest mobile screen possible. And the HTC HD7?s best course of action is to ensure no surprises.

4.3" 16M-color capacitive LCD touchscreen of WVGA resolution (480 x 800 pixels)Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE supportDual-band 3G with HSDPA (7.2 Mbps) and HSUPA (2Mbps)Windows Phone 7 operating system1GHz Snapdragon CPU, 576MB RAM, 512MB ROM5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual-LED flash, geotagging720p video recording @ 25fps8GB of built-in storageStandard 3.5mm audio jackStandard microUSB port (charging)Dolby Mobile and SRS sound enhancementWi-Fi b/g/nBluetooth 2.1 with A2DPAccelerometer for screen auto rotationOffice document editorFacebook integration and cloud servicesBuilt-in A-GPS receiverStereo FM Radio with RDSComes with HTC Hub and exclusive HTC appsVoice-to-text functionalityKickstand with trademark yellow accentsGreat audio qualityHigh screen response time causes visible ghostingNon-expandable storageNo lens protectionQuite heavy at 162 g (not that we mind)Somewhat susceptible to the "antenna death grip" (signal drops by at least two bars) No system-wide file managerNo Bluetooth file transfersNo USB mass storage modeLimited third-party apps availabilityNo Flash (nor Silverlight) support in the browserToo dependent on Zune software for file management and syncingNo video callsNew ringtones available only through the MarketplaceMusic player lacks equalizer presetsNo multitaskingNo copy/pasteNo DivX/XviD video support (automatic transcoding provided by Zune software)No sign of free Bing maps Navigation so farNo internet tethering supportNo handwriting recognition support

Alright, one thing we can be sure of ? the HTC HD7 is playing strictly by the Microsoft book in terms of hardware. On the other hand, it does look like a simple copy/paste job. You know, WP7 phones have a hard time demonstrating a personality. The HD7 has the extra task of identifying itself as something different from the HD2.

The brand new OS is the right place to start. In terms of hardware, the kickstand is certainly an eye-catcher ? not to mention it tells you?re dealing with a phone that will keep you entertained. Next on the list is the HTC Hub and the exclusive apps it offers.

HTC HD7 live shots

It still seems the HTC HD7 offers little in the way of creativity. It will be up to the other WP7 phones in the HTC portfolio to do that. The HD7 might just be supposed to be a mere display of power ? the one that completes their grand slam of massive screens.

If you are still with us, you?re welcome on the next page where we start with the hardware.

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