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HTC Touch Pro CDMA Review
PA rating
HTC Touch Pro CDMA Review
Verizon WirelessVerizon Wireless
Published on: 08 December, 2008 by PhoneArena Team
Software:
The major difference though is system memory. All other versions have shipped with 288MB of RAM and 512MB ROM, but inexplicably Verizon has stripped it down to 192/512MB. ISM (Intimate Shared Memory) - which lets the device use RAM more efficiently- has doubled to 64MB, but that doesn’t compensate for total loss of memory which is sorely felt. Verizon’s Pro is sluggish, and we found ourselves waiting to do just about anything. After startup the VZW Pro had 58% of its memory in use, compared with 32% from the Sprint Pro. There is an apparent memory leak as well, as we commonly found our Pro in the 60s a while after startup and even saw it as high as 77% with only ActiveSync (which automatically pops up,) if anything, running. Memory leaks are nothing new for Windows Mobile, but that is fairly severe especially when you’re dealing with less memory in the first place. The Pro supports microSD expansion, but Verizon does not include the 1GB memory card that Sprint does.
For the most part the software remains the same. It runs a Verizonized version of TouchFLO 3D, with a red and gray theme and reorganized and sometimes renamed icons. The functionally, however, remains exactly the same. We do have to note that TF3D is not enabled out of the box; the user must enable the plug-in via Today in the options menu. Included programs are similar to Sprint’s offering, with apps like Remote Desktop and Jetcet Print 5 still along for the ride. VZ Navigator is your only GPS option; Verizon has locked the feature and so applications such as Google Maps and other third party offerings cannot take advantage of it. Also missing, for no good reason, is HTC’s wonderful YouTube client. VZAppZone is your download portal for new applications.
Conclusion:
Most of what we loved about previous Pros is still available in the VZW version; it’s just that the reduced memory makes the overall experience less enjoyable. It’s like driving a Ferrari through a parking garage; you know there is so much more potential but you just can’t tap into it. Verizon has gotten grief in the past for crippling features, most notably for their handling of Bluetooth and their standardized UI, but this is the first time they’ve actually crippled hardware. Quite frankly it is unacceptable, especially since they skimped on the materials as well. What’s worse is that they have the nerve to charge $50-70 more than Sprint, AT&T and Alltel for a less-capable device. We know you have a great network Verizon, but why do you continue to deliver inferior products?
For the most part the software remains the same. It runs a Verizonized version of TouchFLO 3D, with a red and gray theme and reorganized and sometimes renamed icons. The functionally, however, remains exactly the same. We do have to note that TF3D is not enabled out of the box; the user must enable the plug-in via Today in the options menu. Included programs are similar to Sprint’s offering, with apps like Remote Desktop and Jetcet Print 5 still along for the ride. VZ Navigator is your only GPS option; Verizon has locked the feature and so applications such as Google Maps and other third party offerings cannot take advantage of it. Also missing, for no good reason, is HTC’s wonderful YouTube client. VZAppZone is your download portal for new applications.
| Homescreen | Browser tab | VZ Navigator | System memory |
| Verizon theme | |||
Most of what we loved about previous Pros is still available in the VZW version; it’s just that the reduced memory makes the overall experience less enjoyable. It’s like driving a Ferrari through a parking garage; you know there is so much more potential but you just can’t tap into it. Verizon has gotten grief in the past for crippling features, most notably for their handling of Bluetooth and their standardized UI, but this is the first time they’ve actually crippled hardware. Quite frankly it is unacceptable, especially since they skimped on the materials as well. What’s worse is that they have the nerve to charge $50-70 more than Sprint, AT&T and Alltel for a less-capable device. We know you have a great network Verizon, but why do you continue to deliver inferior products?
Pros
- Still a good business device
- Easier to use keyboard
Cons
- Decreased memory leads to performance issues
- Inferior materials compared to other Pro variants
- Overall feel is still not up to the Diamond standard
- Increased price; decreased functionality
PA rating 
- Good
- out of 10
Check prices
Check prices
| Model | Carrier | Price Today | Price after rebate | |
HTC Touch Pro Black
|
 |
$229.99 | $229.99 | Buy |
HTC Touch Pro Black
|
 |
$249.99 | $249.99 | Buy |
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