Updated 18 May, 2013, 5:40 pm IST

REVIEWS / SMARTPHONES / HTC INDIA PVT. LTD.

HTC Touch Dual

28 Jun, 2008, 5:42 pm IST | by Laiq Qureshi | Smartphones

HTC Touch was pitted as one of the iPhone killers. It was also, as we found out, one of HTC's quirkiest launches. However, soon after the original design failure (do read the previous review, if you want to know what I am talking about) word got around about the HTC Dual, a better, more robust avatar of its predecessor.

The new HTC Touch Dual features significant changes, not only with regard to the form factor, which is a welcome relief (I shall explain later); it has at the same time tweaked some existing features. Having said all this, I expected HTC to work up the magic and deliver a clear winner this time. Yet it's not all in vain. Let's dig deeper.

Form Factor
To begin with, the Touch Dual is taller, and some extra ounces have been gained in the process. It feels bulky than the original though, and a bit narrower too. If you compare the dimensions, here is what they look like: 107 x 55 x 15.8 mm (Touch Dual) as against 99.9 x 58 x 13.9 mm (Touch). The Dual weighs 120g, while the predecessor came in at 112g. It isn't that big a difference.

What has changed is the addition of the 12-key numeric keypad, which opens up once the front portion is slid. This makes it really convenient to type messages, even while negotiating bumpy roads. I have written in my previous review about the downsides of having a small QWERTY keypad and trying to write anything while you are traveling. This is true especially in a country like India, where bad roads are a big problem. You just cant keep your hands steady even for a second.

One of the silliest quirks of the HTC Touch happened to be the hot-swap slots. This time the side housing has been shifted to a more conventional encasing. For the SIM card you will need to go past the battery cover and the battery itself. Objectively, this isn't that bad, considering the problem one had to access the the SIM card HSS. At least, this time you don't need to grow long nails to get it out. The memory card slot is round the bend on the left side.

�

The Touch Dual makes use of the MiniUSB interface (on the left), and on top you will see the volume keys. Having the USB slot, charging slot, and earphone jack all in one spot is a bad idea. You can't use one while using the other. The right side has only the camera key, while the back has the camera, self-portrait mirror and speaker.

�

The problem with having the speaker at the back is that when the phone is kept on a soft surface, the sound gets absorbed or muffled, so if you get a call when you phone is on the bed, you may not hear it in the next room. The front panel is equipped with a 2.6-inch screen that has a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, and thats about it.

Page 1:

Design / Form Factor~ Interface / Practicality / Enterprise Utilities~ Multimedia / Connectivity / Camera / Battery~ Price / Specs and Verdict

Popular searches:

HTC Touch Dual

HTC Touch Dual review

HTC Touch Dual price in India

HTC Touch Dual price

Would you buy it?

TRENDING NOW!

6 Things to look for when buying a 'future-proof' smartphone

Hands-on with the quad-core Panasonic P51

4.3-inch, Intel-based, Xolo X910 smartphone spotted online

ZTE to launch devices ranging from Rs 5,799 to Rs 14,999 in India

LinkedIn bans prostitutes and escorts from its network

ZTE introduces Intel-powered Grand X2 In smartphone

How We Test

What do the ratings mean?

Ratings are simple - higher the score, the better the product. A brief listing of the features and what they mean are given below.

1 - 3

The product is bad in almost every aspect. We strongly advise against purchasing this product.

4 - 6

An average product that isn't the best you can buy, but isn't the worst either.

7 - 8

Product with this rating is highly recommended because it's priced sensibly, has a good set of features and performs well.

9 - 10

Exceptionally excellent product with features and performance unlike any we've seen in the past. A must-have for everyone!

What is the Average User Rating?

We at Tech2 take product reviewing very seriously and every product is tested with the utmost care and level of objectivity. The end user who buys a particular product and uses it over an extended period of time has his own take on a product and there might be nuances that he or she can shed light on. The Average User Rating is present to help readers get the complete picture of how good or bad a product is. The Average User Rating is calculated by averaging the ratings by the thousands of readers visiting Tech2.com every single day. To record your own rating of a product, simply click on the user rating bar. If you disagree with our ratings or our community's product rating, please don't hesitate from voicing your opinion in the comments section below the review.

SPOTLIGHT

HTC One production capacity improving,...

18 May, 2013, 04:38 PM

LinkedIn bans prostitutes and escorts from...

18 May, 2013, 05:10 PM

6 Things to look for when buying a...

18 May, 2013, 01:07 PM

Samsung Galaxy S4 vs HTC One vs Nokia Lumia 920: Camera shootout

13 May, 2013, 05:40 PM IST

Samsung Galaxy S4 Review

08 May, 2013, 06:03 PM IST

First Impressions: Sony Xperia SP

13 May, 2013, 10:42 AM IST

Samsung Galaxy S4 sees a price drop, now available for Rs 40,000

13 May, 2013, 06:21 PM IST

Nokia Asha 501: A Specifications Review

09 May, 2013, 06:00 PM IST

HTC One production capacity improving, confirms executive

18 May, 2013, 04:38 PM

ZTE introduces Intel-powered Grand X2 In smartphone

18 May, 2013, 04:27 PM

Samsung launches TecTiles 2 NFC stickers for Galaxy S4

18 May, 2013, 04:23 PM

MORE NEWS

6 Things to look for when buying a 'future-proof' smartphone

If you’re out looking for a new smartphone, then there are a couple of...

By Roydon Cerejo

Smartphone launches this week: May 13-17

In the hustle-bustle of everyday life, you might have missed the launch of

By Nikhil Subramaniam

Panasonic P51: A Specifications Review

Priced at Rs 26,990, the P51 will face some really tough competition from...

By Nikhil Subramaniam

MORE FEATURES

Mobile Grudge Match: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs HTC One vs Sony Xperia Z

Not only does the S4 have some big shoes to fill, it also faces fierce...

By Roydon Cerejo

Nokia Asha 501: A Specifications Review

Nokia has just refreshed its Asha series by announcing the brand new Asha...

By Roydon Cerejo

First Impressions: Nokia Lumia 720

Priced just shy of Rs 20,000, the Lumia 720 is designed to offer the best...

By Roydon Cerejo

MORE FEATURES

5 Smartphone accessories perfect for your pocket

Whether you are planning short weekends or thinking of a long holiday this

By Francis D'sa

First Impressions: Nokia Lumia 720

Priced just shy of Rs 20,000, the Lumia 720 is designed to offer the best...

By Roydon Cerejo

Samsung Galaxy S4: A specifications review

Samsung is about to launch the Galaxy S4 (I9500) in India and the specs of

By Nikhil Subramaniam

MORE FEATURES

Samsung Galaxy S4 Review

08 May, 2013, 06:03 PM IST

8.5

If you’ve used any of Samsung’s flagships in the past, you’ll be right at home with the new S4. We quite liked the handset during our brief encounter with it a few weeks back and after using it for about a week, we have come to like it even more.

LAVA iris 455 Review

Lenovo S890 Review

Nokia Lumia 520 Review

Sony Xperia E Dual Review

Nokia Lumia 620 Review

MORE REVIEWS

Micromax Superfone Canvas 2 A110 Review

10 Dec, 2012, 04:45 PM IST

6.0

With the huge success of the Superfone Canvas A100, Micromax has decided to do raise the bar once again for what a sub-10K Android smartphone should look like.

Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos I9082 Review

Micromax A116 Canvas HD Review

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V Review

Samsung Galaxy Y (GT-S5360) Review

Micromax Superfone Canvas A100 Review

MORE REVIEWS

Micromax Superfone Canvas 2 A110 Review

10 Dec, 2012, 04:45 PM IST

6.0

With the huge success of the Superfone Canvas A100, Micromax has decided to do raise the bar once again for what a sub-10K Android smartphone should look like.

Micromax A75 Superfone Lite Review

Micromax A116 Canvas HD Review

Micromax Superfone Canvas A100 Review

Samsung Wave Y Young Review

Samsung Galaxy Y (GT-S5360) Review

MORE REVIEWS

Temple Run 2 update brings new terrain, two new ways to die