HTC Freestyle Review

HTC may nicely have vaulted to glory in latest many years with its choice of Android phones, but last 30 days at CES the institution broadened its profile merely a little using the brand new Freestyle quick-messaging phone. The Freestyle, which goes on purchase from AT&T this Sunday, feb 13, lacks the high-end capabilities belonging in the direction of new HTC Thunderbolt and its effortless design and design won't stand out while in the cellular cellular phone crowd. Yet, for customers who don't need a lot, the BREW-powered Freestyle need to deliver.



The look belonging in the direction of HTC Freestyle says "smartphone" credited in the direction of 3.2" capacitive touchscreen show getting up most belonging in the direction of front. The show resolution is 320x480, which could make tiny text message in internet webpages look a little pixelated, however the phone’s menus and apps are readable without getting any problem. Unfortunately, it may nicely be challenging to look at in instant sunlight, since the show appears totally dark, even using the brightness turned up – which means you will should use your hand to shade the show at times. below the show are 4 buttons: send, end, back, as well as a multipurpose menu key; while above the show may be the earpiece and an LED gentle that flashes at any time you obtain a brand brand new message.





Even although the Freestyle is produced away from plastic, it has an great body fat (128g) and harmony to it, as well as feels quite protected while in the hands. near to the sides will be the total amount rocker, power/lock key, 3.5mm headset jack, electronic camera key, and microUSB port, while the 3.2MP electronic camera and outside speaker are inside the back. The only concern we dislike may be the poorly produced battery door, which has obtained to acquire popped-off the bottom belonging in the direction of phone, then there’s an even more product of plastic material you need to flip-down that is holding the battery in-place. this could be also the method to acquire in the direction of SIM card and microSD memory space card slot. We would have instead observed a standard battery include inside the back again that merely arrives away in a really individual step.



Front and center may be the 3.2-inch display. It's doesn't possess the richest resolution (480x320 pixels), but it's a complete whole lot greater than satisfying for just about any midrange device. artwork and photos looked fine, and there's lots of space for navigation. As mentioned, the Freestyle runs on BREW, that is unusual for just about any GSM phone. To most users, that won't necessarily mean much, since the interface is user-friendly, even if it is ordinarily a little boring. The main menu consists of a standard icon-based design and design as well as the company is straightforward.



In a few methods the interface resembles Android, that is one thing we wager that HTC was on the way for. You'll appear throughout 7 home screens which you can plan with widgets for the weather, your photo gallery, and messages. You can't lower app and attribute shortcuts just anywhere, but just one home display consists of a grid of twelve shortcuts which you can program. The report design and design belonging in the direction of secondary menus has an Android feel, as well as the Freestyle serves up shortcuts in the direction of messaging app and cellular phone e book inside the main menu page.



HTC also stocked the Freestyle with its feeling interface. As producer skins go, it's our preferred thinking about that it's not as well intricate visually and doesn't ask as well a good offer belonging in the direction of consumer (Motoblur, for example, calls for one to indicator up for just about any separate account). HTC also involved its good friend Stream feature, which exhibits a steady flow of your friends' updates type interpersonal networking means like Facebook and Twitter. You even get HTC's Leap feature, which allows one to ascertain all 7 home screens at after by pinching inside the show collectively with your fingers.

The touch display is responsive, although there's a slight lag when opening some features. It's not only a offer breaker, however it is noticeable. below the show are three navigation controls: the talk and carry out keys as well as a back again button. all the buttons are large and tactile. There's also a pretty slim important above the talk important that opens a secondary pop-up menu. That's an even more pretty Android touch.



Overall, we such as the HTC Freestyle except for two points…the poorly produced battery door, as well as the continual "hiss" noticed while on calls. The 2nd of those we contemplate the a complete whole lot more serious, as well as a deal-breaker for some, since it gets annoying for just about any calls lasting a complete whole lot greater than a few minutes. However, the remainder belonging in the direction of unit is quite great for just about any feature-phone, since the feeling UI is visually attractive and is also implemented greater compared to BREW MP pretty well, with 6 home screens, lots of widgets, and different scenes to suit your mood. But as we pointed out earlier, we cannot see the $99 worth point here, when you can obtain a a fact smartphone for the same exact worth (or less), although it will be theme to higher smartphone information fees. once the Freestyle experienced been $49 or less, then we’d contemplate it a bargain, regardless of the track record seem experience while in calls. HTC Freestyle Review