HTC Touch Diamond CDMA Review

Introduction:

Out of the numerous companies that manufacture Windows Mobile based smartphones, HTC continues to hit the mark with innovative products. We were highly impressed with the first HTC Touch Diamond we reviewed last year, though it was a GSM import, and then later with the CDMA variant that became available through Sprint. Now Verizon has followed suite with their release of their version of the Touch Diamond, and we’re glad to say that they got it right this time.

The retail package includes:

• HTC Touch Diamond phone
• 1340mAh battery
• wall charger with detachable miniUSB cable
• multifunction audio cable
• two stylus
• CDs
• User manual

Design:

When looking at the HTC Touch Diamond for Verizon, it is almost unmistakable from the GSM model, as both share the same shiny black exterior, sharp edges, and “diamond cut” design on the rear battery door, unlike the Sprint model that is more curved and has a burgundy painted battery door. The device has a good weight to it, though not as heavy as the Touch Pro, and is slightly thinner since it lacks the sliding QWERTY keyboard. The overall construction feels good, though a little plasticy, as there isn’t any metal used on the internal parts.



You can compare the HTC Touch Diamond CDMA for Verizon with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

The 2.8” VGA resistive touchscreen appears to be the same one that we loved on the other models, including the HTC Touch Pro, as images and text look amazing on it. Next to the earpiece, there is a sensor to automatically adjust the display’s backlight, or you can manually adjust it via the software. We found that the sensor worked quite well, and the display would get brighter when used outside, making it easier to view while in sunlight. Even though the resistive technology is used, instead of capacitive, it was very smooth and responded to the slightest touch. Two styluses are included, but most of the time we were using just our finger.

Located on the left side of the HTC Touch Diamond is the volume rocker, with the power button located at the top, 3.2MP camera on the back, and miniUSB port at the bottom. One stylus is held in place magnetically, and will wake the Diamond up when removed. Under the display is the unique d-pad, as it has physical buttons for up/down/left/right, but the center “select” button is also capacitive. This provides different features, such as touching the capacitive button for the camera to focus, then pressing it down to take a picture, or moving your finger around in a circular motion to zoom in or out of a web page. There are also dedicated buttons for home, back, send, and end.