HTC's flagship Windows Phone 7 device

Electronista had a chance to spend time with HTC's new HD7 handset running Windows Phone 7. The device represents HTC's flagship Windows Phone 7 offering, with a feature set that aims to compete with the latest high-end smartphones. The HD7 integrates a 4.3-inch display with 800x480 resolution, matching the Evo 4G.

The overall form and dimensions are very close to the Evo 4G, which is also one of the largest smartphone on the market. The HD7 offers more of a modern look, with a gunmetal band around the edge and brushed metal surrounding the camera components. The metal plate covering the camera doubles as the kickstand, unlike the Evo 4G's obvious placement.

We were impressed with the build quality and overall aesthetics. Of all the WP7 handsets unveiled in New York City today, the HD7 caught our attention as the premier device. Like the Evo, however, the large display necessitates a large housing that may be a deal breaker for many potential buyers.

As we navigated through the Windows Phone 7 interface, the HD7's 1GHz Snapdragon CPU easily handled the parallax and transition effects without a hiccup. The device allowed us to browse the Internet, play streaming videos, and scroll through pictures without any lag or delay. The speed was impressive, but not noticeably faster than most of the other WP7 handsets we have seen.

T-Mobile's Family Room hub serves as a central location for communication between family members. It seems like a feature some users may take advantage of, although similar organization can be achieved using the basic WP7 tiles. The carrier also introduced its T-Mobile TV utility, which connects to live and on-demand television content from MobiTV.

T-Mobile declined to provide pricing information, although company representatives suggested the device will carry similar pricing to other high-end smartphones. Customers will be able to purchase the HD7 sometime in mid-November.

By Electronista Staff

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htc, mobile phones, Windows Phone, Windows Phone 7