HTC Touch Dual

(3 out of 5)

MSRP: $549

This compact smart phone adds a keyboard to HTC’s innovative TouchFLO interface, but it’s hobbled by sluggish performance.

HTC’s original Touch phone offered its intriguing TouchFLO interface on top of Windows Mobile 6 Professional. The quad-band Touch Dual adds a faster 400-MHz processor, HSDPA 3.5G connectivity, a slide-out alphanumeric keyboard, and the same interface but this time, on top of Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. The phone is available for $549 from Best Buy’s Web site, which makes it an attractive option for AT&T and T-Mobile customers looking for an unlocked 3G phone. HTC Touch Dual Design and Interface The matte black HTC Touch Dual looks very similar to the original Touch, but at 4.2 x 2.2 x 0.6 inches it’s slightly narrower and shorter. It’s just 0.1 inches thicker, adding a large 20-key slide-out alphanumeric keyboard. In our hands, the phone felt like we were holding a large, smooth stone. Its silver border and central directional button are classy accents to an already beautiful handset. On both sides of the central five-way button are Send and End call buttons. Volume controls are on the left side of the unit, and a power and camera quick-launch button are on the right side, just above the stylus slot.

Read Full Review @ LaptopMag.com by Todd Haselton