T-Mobile Dash 3G Review

Sometimes nostalgia kicks in when you realize how a phone made such an impression on you. Like many of T-Mobile's smartphone lineup, the T-Mobile Dash's successor was a long time coming. Since its release, HTC has solidified itself as a top smartphone maker that consistently pushes the boundaries. Loyal T-Mobile customers have been graced with the latest Windows Mobile Standard Edition in the form of the T-Mobile Dash 3G. Even with the obvious reference to high speed internet connectivity, this sleek looking handset boasts some rich features that will appease any business professional.

Let's start off by saying how HTC has taken the time to meticulously create a device that radiates simplicity and style. The candybar style handset is compact enough, thanks to the slim profile, to carry around in your pocket without the worry of having it bog you down. Its construction is solid – and you can see some of the design elements it shares with the original Dash. The soft matte finish makes it easy to hold and prevents scratches from being too prominent. Some may make comparisons with the industrial look some BlackBerry devices have taken, but the Dash 3G is equally as beautiful on the Windows Mobile front.



We're not expecting a huge screen with this device, but the 2.4” LCD screen is bright and large enough for just about anyone to use. The volume rocker, found on the left side, blends in nicely into the casing that makes it look inconspicuous. The standard miniUSB port is used for just about everything from charging to data connection – quietly tucked away underneath a plastic cover on the right edge. Finally the 2-megapixel camera sits squarely on the back, surrounded by a milled aluminum finish with the speaker phone next to it. HTC did not go over the top by adding buttons on the casing – by doing that it exudes a clean slate and elegance that makes it shine.



HTC might have created the perfect balance of buttons for the QWERTY keyboard. Not only are they proportionally sized, they have that distinct tactile feel so you know you pressed a key. It may feel a little cramped, but the sheer size of each button makes up for that inconvenience. After getting a feel for the layout, we were already speed typing without a niche. The trackball is the center piece and a nice change to the traditional d-pad most devices tend to utilize.



There's no surprise in the performance of the Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard operating system powering the phone. Well versed users of the platform will get suited right away and will find navigation the same. Unfortunately HTC did not throw in any new skins to mask the usual home screen layout – although myFaves is integrated. The only time speed started to stutter was when multiple applications were being used at the same time – using the task manager to close unused ones improved the performance.

What we really missed here was the Inner Circle feature, which was available on the HTC Snap that we have thoroughly reviewed, but not here. It would have been great if it was present, since is offers you quite a handy way to organize your e-mail correspondence by allowing you to see emails from certain contacts only.

It's yet another device that was worth waiting for T-Mobile customers – the Dash 3G won't disappoint. It rejuvenates some life into the Windows Mobile lineup with its sleek look and catapults itself as a top contender – 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity supplements it. Finally, this has one of the best QWERTY keyboards on any similar devices – kudos to HTC keeping in mind that stark feature. There's no denying that the T-Mobile Dash 3G will win over users.