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HTC 7 Trophy review

Our Rating :

A smart phone with a large screen, fast processor and plenty of storage, but Windows Phone 7 isn't yet up to the standard of other mobile operating systems.

Specifications

Windows Phone 7, 3.8in 480×800 display

We’ve covered Windows Phone 7 itself in a couple of previous reviews, but we haven’t touched on its gaming or music capabilities much. The new HTC 7 Trophy is being touted as a gaming and music handset, and it’s definitely got the hardware to handle both: a 1GHz processor, 3.8in screen and both Dolby Mobile and SRS sound technology.

HTC 7 Trophy

The hardware specification doesn’t just stop there, mind you. You also get 8GB of internal memory and a 5-megapixel camera with flash, although there’s no memory card slot so you’ll have to manage your photos and music carefully. Snaps were typical of a phone camera, with noise in dark areas and visible compression artefacts. Battery life was also a bit disappointing, lasting just under 20 and-a-half hours in our light usage test, so if you’re not careful with WiFi, 3G and GPS you’ll need to recharge every night.

HTC 7 Trophy Back

The Trophy’s design has a retro hint, with a thin chrome strip that runs around the screen and the rounded corners. Elsewhere it’s modern and practical, especially in the rubberised finish on the rear that aids grip. A brushed-metal finish on the rest of the case feels sturdy, and the weight of the phone adds to the favourable impression of build quality. The screen itself is bright and colourful, with an oleophobic coating that makes touch gestures feel smooth and controlled, and also rules out unsightly smudges from oily fingertips.

For a phone that’s meant to showcase gaming and music, we were disappointed to find no free games or music installed. You can play trial versions of games or download free games, but if you want to play something else, or listen to music, you’ll have to buy it from the Xbox or Zune Marketplace.

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Details

Rating ***

Hardware

Main display size 3.8in
Native resolution 480×800
Second Display No
CCD effective megapixels 5-megapixel
Video recording format MP4
Connectivity Bluetooth, WiFi, USB
GPS yes
Internal memory 8192MB
Memory card support none
Memory card included 0MB
Operating frequencies GSM 850/900/1800/1900, 3G 900/2100
Wireless data EDGE, WCDMA, HSPA
Size 119x62x12mm
Weight 140g

Features

Operating system Windows Phone 7
Microsoft Office compatibility Office Mobile
Email client POP3/IMAP/Exchange
Audio format support MP3, WMA, M4A, M4B
Video playback formats 3GP, 3G2, MP4, M4V, MBR, WMV
FM Radio yes
Web Browser Internet Explorer
Accessories charger
Talk time 5.5 hours
Standby time 18.1 days
Tested battery life (MP3 playback) 20h 28m

Buying Information

Price on contract £30-per-month, 18-month contract
SIM-free supplier N/A
Contract/prepay supplier www.vodafone.co.uk
Details www.htc.com

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