Sunday, January 16, 2011

HOT HD9 (Dual SIM) - Part I

Introduction

Well, my first review will focus on the newest HTC HD2 clone. This clone is based on a MediaTek chipset and features dual SIM dual standby support. This clone is also known as HD9 because it's a new release which is an exact copy of the original HTC HD2 (in terms of size, camera location and compatibility with original accessories).

Specifications

Chipset

Name:MediaTek MT6516
CPU:416 MHz ARM9™
Instruction set:ARMv5

Software environment

Embedded OS:Windows Mobile 6.5
Android 2.2.1 (Froyo)

Body

Dimensions
(width x height x depth):
120.5 x 67 x 11.3 millimetres
Weigth:150 grams
Color:Black

Memory

RAM:capacity:256 MB
ROM-capacity:512 MB
Expansion slot:microSD memory card, supporting up to 16 GB

Network support

Primary phone:GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900
Secondary phone:GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900
Data links:GPRS, EDGE

Display

Type:LCD capacitive touchscreen
Size:4.3 inches, WVGA resolution (480 x 800 pixels)

Camera

Main (rear):8 megapixels (interpolated) with autofocus and dual LED flash
Secondary (front):0.3 megapixels

Interfaces

Bluetooth (802.15):Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate
Wireless LAN / Wi-Fi (802.11):  IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
USB:USB 2.0 Client, Hi-Speed (480 Mbit/s)
USB Series Micro-B (Micro-USB) connector

Satellite navigation

Built-in GPS module:MT6620 chipset
GPS antenna:Internal
Complementary GPS services:  A-GPS (Assisted GPS)

Additional features

Sensors:
Gravity and Proximity sensors
Analog Radio:FM radio (87.5-108 MHz)


Unboxing

Well, I was very anxious to open the case and try out the phone, but had to control myself and take some pictures first...




The charger, just like the original...


...and the rest of accessories.


Construction


As you can see, this clone looks exactly like the original HTC HD2. The quality of the materials is very good.


Only two ports dot the outside of the phone: the micro-USB connector and the 3,5 mm headphone jack. Both are located side-by-side at the bottom of the phone, leaving the rest of the perimeter unmarred.



Up and down volume buttons in the left...


The 8 megapixels camera with dual LED flash...



Looks good, doesn't it? The body is exactly like the original HD2. You can have both side-by-side and can't even tell which one is the original and the clone.




After removing the battery, you have the access to the two SIM slots. The one in the bottom is the SIM2 slot, while the upper one is the SIM1 slot. You can also see the microSD slot in the left. 


The super AMOLED display

One of the greatest features of this smartphone is it's beautiful screen. It sports a Sharp super AMOLED 4,3 inch screen. This is actually one of the best screens around, and whose colors... must be seen live.


Viewing angles of this screen are... almost unlimited!



Functionality

From the moment you start working with this phone you can notice the difference speed when compared to the original HD2. This is obviously due to the used processor, but nevertheless the phone runs really smoothly.

The phone came with SPB Mobile Shell pre-installed, but personally I prefer the good old WM6.5 layout. 



The dual SIM integration in Windows Mobile is great. From the dialler, you can choose from which SIM to initiate the call. In call history screen, missed / received / made calls can be checked with the indication of the SIM number.


Using the wireless manager, you can easily enable / disable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Phone 1 or 2. Airplane mode (also known as flight mode) disables all wireless radios. From the menu, you can set each SIM card independently. Different ringtones can be set for each card, for example.


Another great feature is the ability for the user to choose the SIM that can establish a data connection. Just as an example, you can have your private card as SIM1 and your data card as SIM2. It's just a matter of selecting to connect through SIM2. Another example could be if you can receive multimedia messages (MMS) in both cards, then you would have to set here the card that should be able to connect to the MMS server and download the message.


The next feature is something that's only available on MTK based smartphones and can be quite useful. Under system settings, you can find a tool that can schedule power on / off. Well, I'm just evidencing this feature because you can only find in very few smartphones.  


A fantastic feature that I noticed while doing some test calls was the ability to turn off the display when your head is next to the earpiece, by making use of the proximity sensor. That can obviously save your battery life as well as prevent you from "touching" something that you don't want to.

In terms of battery performance, it's considerably good taking into consideration that the phone has a very big screen and dual SIM with dual standy support. With a not so intense phone usage, about 2 hours of calls in total, BT always on and sometimes connected to my car kit, some short messages, GPRS connection every 30 minutes to check for e-mails and sync contacts / calendar with Google, the battery lasts two days.


Photos and videos

I got quite amazed by the camera application, as the user can tweak a lot of settings.





For a smartphone, it takes acceptable photos. Although lacking in edge detail like most cell-cam photos, images are bright, pop-out colorful, and as long as you keep the phone stock-still, the flash brilliantly illuminates indoor scenes. However, with a touchscreen shutter release, it’s very difficult to keep the phone as still as necessary to get an unblurred shot in anything but bright sunlight.


HD9 sample photos

Supported operating systems

By the time I got this phone, the only OS supported was Windows Mobile 6.5. As several other clones based on the MT6516 chipset, this one can also be flashed with the newest operating system from Google - the Android. It's said that this year will be the year of Android and this clone couldn't be out of the run.

Please keep in touch and don't miss my next review. I will show you how this smartphone behaves with Android 2.2 (Froyo). Just a few candy for you:



Final thoughts

This is indeed a great phone. If you are looking for a new dual SIM smartphone (to replace your old ACER DX900 like I did), then this is definitely "the" smart choice.

Highs:
  • Dual SIM Dual Standby
  • Multi-touch AMOLED screen
  • Good battery life for a dual SIM smartphone
Lows:
  • Doesn't support 3G networks
  • Could be too big for some people (personally I like this one because of the big screen)

22 comments:

  1. Great Review. Lot's of detail.

    Keep up the good work.

    Nolam

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice review! Looks good..how about battery life though?

    Greetz,

    Rene

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, I will have to update the review with that important information.

    At the moment I have more consistent data regarding battery performance. With a not intense phone usage, about 2 hours of calls in total, BT always on and sometimes connected to my car kit, some SMS, GPRS connection every 30 minutes to check e-mails and sync contacts / calendar with Google, the battery lasts two days. I believe it's amazing taking into consideration that this phone has a very big screen and has dual SIM with dual standby support.

    ReplyDelete
  4. on your few days using the windows mobile phone, how is the clarity of the calls?

    and did the phone came in branded as HTC? did you specify that when you informed etowalk? or all units are branded as HTC?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds during the calls are very clear, also when using a BT car kit.

    The phone came in branded as HTC. I didn't specified, so I believe all units are branded as HTC.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Bruno,

    I'm also considering this unit. The lack of HSDPA is getting me down, though. The other phone I'm considering is the i-mobile i858. A phone with much of the same spec (lower camera resolution) but with HSDPA support. Did you consider this telephone as well?

    ReplyDelete
  7. It seems to me that the phone you are referring to doesn't support dual SIM, so actually it's not comparable to the MTK HD9.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi,

    Great review. Could you tell me if you have Android Market access? (to buy and update programs)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello,

    There's no problem accessing Android Market. You can download free and paid applications and /or games.

    ReplyDelete
  10. im having second thoughts ordering this phone since several users have already received an android installed phone instead of windows. i work for an IT company and i sync my mail with my phone. it only supports windows mobile phone to sync with my company's exchange servers.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well, it shouldn't be a problem even if the phone comes with Android pre-installed because you can flash Windows Mobile.

    ReplyDelete
  12. HELLO
    I BOUGHT NEW ANDROID PREINSTALLED HD9.CAN UPGRADE
    TO ANDROID 2.3.HOW CAN I FIND CUSTOM ROM(S) FOR THIS PHONE.
    REGARDS

    Sevket Asilkazanci
    asilkazanci@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please go to this forum to get all the latest information as well as custom ROMs: http://www.eten-users.eu/index.php?showtopic=21207.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Bruno,

    I'm testing a H7000, HD7 clone with the same processor.
    It's with ANDROID and I'm getting a problem (for me!)
    The dual standby is not working. When I receive a call on SIM1 or SIM2, if Someone try to call me on the other SIM, it's disconnected.
    Did you had the same problem? There's something I can do to fix it?
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is not a problem... It is the normal behaviour of almost every Chinese Dual SIM phone. When you have a call in place, the other SIM will appear as disconnected (and call is forwarded to voice mail if activated).

    ReplyDelete
  16. But there's something that a "Master" like you can do about that?
    I really need the 2 cards always on...
    Thanks In advance!

    ReplyDelete
  17. No, nothing can be done about that. It is the way the hardware is built in.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi, i want to know how is the performance of this phone because i read that it has a 460 Mhz processor. How are going the apps or games (for example angry birds)are them slow?

    ReplyDelete
  19. You are really great:. I am old media , but not an expert in cell
    . I had already bought the phone and This I fully agree with your reviews
    Piero Adresses
    September 2, 2011 10:07

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi,

    Great reviews.

    If I purchase it from the same shop you did ( with e 5 bucks discount ), how long does it take to get to PT ( I'm also Portuguese ) and is there a possibility to be "delayed" in custums ?

    Abraço,
    _
    Pedro.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I usually receive the phones for review in just one week. There's always a probability to have it checked by customs, but you can be lucky. I advise you not to choose DHL, FEDEX, UPS and other couriers... choose EMS for the shipping method. It's safe, registered airmail, and the probability of being stopped at customs are the lowest.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi i just got this phone, how can i use my Three sim card working as 2G?

    ReplyDelete