HTC S710 review: Windows Mobile 6 (See all reviews)

Released in 2007, the HTC s710 was one of the first Smartphones to get Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard. The handset is powered by a TI OMAP 850, 200 Mhz processor and comes with a pretty impressive set of features: 64Mb RAM and 128Mb FLASH ROM, a QVGA 240x320 TFT display, 2.0MP camera, a MicroSD card slot and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

Main Features:

- GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
- Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard
- 2.4" 65K color TFT display with QVGA resolution
- Texus Instruments OMAP 850, 200 Mhz processor
- 2MP camera
- Built-in Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
- Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP support
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Li-Po 1050 mAh battery

Disadvantages:

- Lack of 3G support
- Mediocre camera quality
- Processor is not powerful enough

We must say we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the HTC S710 when we unpacked it, as the device is much smaller than it appears to be in photos. While the hidden QWERTY keyboard does add a little thickness to the device, the S710 is hardly bigger than any other normal handset or smartphone.

The handset can pass as a slider phone and at the same time as a standard candy-bar, because even closed, the phone has absolutely full functionality and display, as well as a standard numeric keypad and D-Pad with navigational and software keys.

The front of the HTC S710 features a silver numeric keypad, a four-way directional pad, and two softkeys, with the call/end, home, and back keys clad in chrome that extends up around the edges of the display.

On top of the 2.4" TFT display you will notice two service LEDs, placed right in the opening of the ear-piece. The left one indicates the on/off status of the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi while the right one notifies you of the battery and network status of the phone.

Buttons are relatively few, with only the power button on top and the camera button on the right side while the left side houses the volume rocker and voice command button. An extUSB jack, the HTC version of microUSB used for charging, data connections, and headsets, is on the bottom of the device. On its the back you'll find the camera lens, self portrait mirror and speakerphone grill.

On the bottom of the right side of the upper slider we have the microSD slot for memory cards covered by a piece of rubber. The slot for the SIM card is placed symmetrically on the left side, but changing the card requires to turn off the phone. In case you open it without turning off the phone, it will immediately turn off by itself.

The QWERTY keyboard is spring assisted and slides out easily, however you may notice that it is a little loose. The display automatically switches to landscape mode when you slide the keyboard open.

Though small, the slide-out QWERTY keyboard is surprisingly easy to use. There are two status lights on the top left. The first is the familiar "CAPS" light you’ve seen on your computer keyboard whilst the second indicates whether the FN key is in use. This gives you access to extra functions.

Two standard Windows Mobile softkeys are placed just above the top row of keys, but the good thing is that the numeric keypad can still be used with the rear keyboard extended. You will find this useful for accessing the Home key and for navigating webpages or answering incoming calls.