O2 XDA Zest

O2 XDA Zest

O2 Xda range is somewhat of a mainstay in the circles of Windows Mobile. Smartphones company brand has existed for many years, and a look at the current range is the only test that needs love HTC O2, as almost all phones in the current line up is made for them. In most cases, you can get something similar to both free and SIM card from other operators.

But the new XDA Zest is different. And 'the Asus and the model is unique as the O2. And perhaps even more interesting that this is the first to be available on the XDA prepayment (which will cost £ 249.99), and pays a monthly basis, which is free of some of the contracts.

It is a decidedly middle-of-the-road Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional with a few points higher real and some comments.

The overall objective, it is a squat little, because it is a little larger than we are used to 60.5mm. It is 102mm high and 16.5mm thick, slightly chubby, and weighs very little chance to 120g. This corresponds to an even slightly less comfortable in the hand than we're used to, but we do not want to overstate this point and it is certainly not a deal-breaker.

The case is fairly predictable in appearance. The plastic housing is mostly black with touches of silver, including the D-pad on the front. The call, end, Start menu and OK buttons are a bit small, but perfectly integrated into the overall look.

We want a lot of that is a hold button on the right side. Push this and the screen goes blank and locks the touch screen and all buttons. Windows Mobile has a locking feature, but this is a software to run and is only available in the main screen - and only if you choose to display there. This option is most useful as it may, at any time.

Here comes the niggle. Has 256 ROM and 128MB RAM. These numbers are standard rates and not to complain. You can add more memory, a microSD card - again as standard. But the slot under the battery, which means that you must turn off the XDA Zest for it. Honestly, these days, we expect that the memory location to be easier than we can to Hotswap cards easily.

It is a GPS antenna and you get a three-month trial that the CoPilot navigation software. We are more used to seeing this comes for free for good, and fork out for that then can be painful for you. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are built in. The Xda Zest is an HSDPA and has a front camera for video calls in front of two ways.

A highlight of the Xda Zest is its screen. This measure a generous 2.8 inches with a resolution of 640x480 pixels. Screens with this resolution are much clearer and sharper than 320x240 pixels, and really thought it was a bargain.

Since then, the tendency is to hide the outdated Windows Mobile interface, the O2 is an option to clean up its board. Since the standard Windows Mobile Today screen, you can choose from the drop menu labeled 'soft' O2 ', and then you can use the three screens, or by touching the icons at the bottom of the screen or a finger is swept horizontally.

Menu photocontacts 4x4 grid, 3x3 grid applications, shortcuts, tools and options, and the main screen, which displays the current time, weather and information about messages, emails, missed calls, and so on. There is nothing revolutionary about the system, but it is a graphic design which appeals to the finger and sweep and clean.

E 'on the back of the case and this shot in 3-megapixel stills. Again, this is nothing revolutionary, but mounted on the right side of the button makes it very easy to use as they do all the icons on the screen of choice tappable image resolution, zoom, change the macro mode and selecting the timer mode shot.

Another major criticism is that there is no dedicated headset. Helmets must use a mini-USB connector that is shared by the mains cable and PC. This is far from ideal, and for us it's a bit a deal breaker because it means we need an adapter to use our favorite headphone.

We are pleased to offer O2 Xda on Pay & Go and the monthly salary, and we love the high resolution screen, an interface fingerprint and HSDPA. But we have some small problems as well. There are many mid-range competition out there to check before taking the plunge.