Oh hello, Windows Phone 7. This time, running on the HTC Surround, is a version of WP7 that should have not been — that is to say, pre-NoDo. While AT&T may be testing the copy/paste update with many performance increases, it’s not currently available for most customers or reviewers. Having already extensively reviewed Windows Phone 7, what remains for me to talk about here is simply the HTC Surround itself. Head on past the ‘more’ link for the full review.
Price as Reviewed: $99.99 on a 2-year agreement for new customers.
Disclosure: provided by AT&T for review.
Specs
Geeky specifications time.
- 3.8-inch WVGA 800x480 Gorilla Glass display
- 1GHz Snapdragon processor
- 448MB of RAM
- 16GB of internal storage
- 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording and autofocus
- Dolby and SRS “surround sound” slide-out speakers
- AT&T 3G (up to 7.2 Mbps down, up to 384 kbps up)
- G-Sensor, digital compass, proximity sensor and ambient light sensor
- 802.11n WiFi/Bluetooth 2.1+EDR/GPS
- Weighs 165 grams
- 1230 mAh battery
Design & Usability
It’s one of my favorite Windows Phone 7 phones, despite the extra bulk and weight caused by its surround sound speakers. Otherwise, the HTC Surround uses many of the design elements seen in the Nexus One and HTC Desire, but honestly the Surround has a design and software all its own. Cosmetically, the Surround uses rubber on the back and sides with metal around the frame, including the kickstand. Three touch capacitive buttons (Back, Search, and Windows Home) greet the front of the handset, a requirement set in stone by Microsoft for all Windows Phone 7 devices to meet.
So to cut to the chase: is the Surround a great-looking smartphone? Well, uh, let’s ask the photos — yes. Sort of. It’s no Nexus One (or iPhone 4 for that matter) and is a rather thick, as well as heavy, but it is forgivable.
How usable is the HTC Surround? As every other Windows Phone 7 — it’s easy. The user interface is identical (if you don’t count screen size as a difference) and HTC’s additions to the operating system — namely HTC Hub, which allows for several utility apps to be installed, like a flashlight, compass, YouTube HQ app (the only one available for WP7), including weather reports with realistic animations of the weather. All of these OEM additions show one of Windows Phone 7′s main strengths -- UI customization never equals disaster. The use of hubs with customizations from Samsung and HTC make changes subtle and welcoming.
The “Surround Sound”
It is not the surround sound that you may find in a home theater system by any stretch, but is very audible when activated via a square button. Loud, even. And if you don’t believe me, ask Joanna Stern (har, har).
However, they are not worth the extra weight or bulk. A QWERTY keyboard would have been a smarter idea by HTC, but at the same time the Surround wouldn’t have its name, right (is that good or bad)?
Camera
Mediocre autofocus capabilities and decent image quality provided by a 5 megapixel sensor. 720p HD video recording is nothing to really talk about — it’s pretty shoddy and rather grainy, something hardly seen in HTC’s cameras, which usually are of satisfying performance, in my opinion.
HTC Surround Camera Test Shots
Final Verdict
The HTC Surround may be the least desired Windows Phone 7 device of the entire line — it’s thicker than most, and has the least “buy it now” value. It is a worthy HTC device, however, and handles Windows Phone 7 with as much speed as the software currently allows. Microsoft has kept the quality standard of its devices at a decent (if not high) level, so think of the Surround as well — not your first choice. The HD7, also from HTC, is available on T-Mobile (and soon will be on AT&T as the HD7S). But it’s your call, after all.
