HTC myTouch 3G Slide

amazon HTC myTouch 3G Slide reviews

Design and Build Quality

A. Aesthetic and Ergonomics

The HTC myTouch 3G Slide features a design that blends practicality with a touch of elegance. It’s compact with a slightly curved back, which makes it comfortable to hold, and the soft-touch plastic finish provides a decent grip. The device is available in multiple colors, including black, white, and red, offering some variety for personal preference.

Measuring 115.6 x 58.2 x 15.5 mm and weighing around 164 grams, the myTouch 3G Slide is relatively thick and heavy by modern standards, primarily due to its sliding keyboard mechanism. However, at the time of its release, it was considered compact, especially for a device that includes a full physical keyboard.

B. Build Quality and Durability

The build quality of the HTC myTouch 3G Slide is solid, reflecting HTC’s reputation for durable hardware. The sliding mechanism for the keyboard feels robust and operates smoothly, which is crucial for a phone that relies on this feature. The display and keyboard slide into place with a satisfying click, and there’s minimal wobble when the keyboard is extended.

The device is built to withstand daily use, and the materials used in its construction give it a premium feel, despite its mid-range market positioning. However, the soft-touch plastic back is prone to smudging and might show signs of wear over time, but it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall durability of the phone.

Display

A. Display Specifications

The HTC myTouch 3G Slide is equipped with a 3.4-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, translating to a pixel density of approximately 170 pixels per inch (PPI). This was fairly standard for smartphones of its time, though by today’s standards, the resolution is considered quite low.

B. Display Quality

In terms of display quality, the myTouch 3G Slide offers a decent viewing experience for its era. The colors are relatively vibrant, and the display is bright enough for indoor use. However, visibility in direct sunlight is a challenge due to the reflective nature of the screen and the lack of higher brightness levels.

The resolution, while adequate for basic tasks, does result in noticeable pixelation, particularly when viewing text or images closely. For casual use, such as texting, browsing the web, or watching videos, the display is serviceable, but it falls short of delivering a crisp, high-definition experience.

C. Touchscreen Responsiveness

The capacitive touchscreen on the myTouch 3G Slide is responsive, accurately registering touches and gestures. Multi-touch support allows for pinch-to-zoom and other gestures, which were becoming standard on smartphones at the time. The touchscreen experience is smooth, with minimal lag during interactions, making navigation and typing relatively hassle-free.

Performance

A. Processor and RAM

Under the hood, the HTC myTouch 3G Slide is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7227 chipset, featuring a single-core 600 MHz ARM11 processor, coupled with 512 MB of RAM. While these specifications are modest by today’s standards, they were fairly typical for mid-range smartphones in 2010.

B. Real-World Performance

In day-to-day use, the myTouch 3G Slide handles basic tasks such as calling, texting, and light web browsing competently. The interface is generally smooth, although the device can struggle with more demanding tasks like gaming or running multiple apps simultaneously. The 600 MHz processor is sufficient for the Android 2.1 (Eclair) operating system that the phone shipped with, but as apps became more resource-intensive, the limited processing power and RAM began to show their age.

Launching apps takes a noticeable amount of time, and multitasking can lead to slowdowns or occasional crashes, especially with more memory-intensive applications. This makes the device less suitable for power users or those looking to run the latest apps or games available in 2010 and beyond.

C. Storage and Expandability

The myTouch 3G Slide comes with 512 MB of internal storage, with approximately 150 MB available to the user for apps and media. This is extremely limited, even for 2010, when app sizes were relatively small. To address this, the device includes a microSD card slot, supporting up to 32 GB of additional storage. The inclusion of expandable storage is a significant plus, as it allows users to store more photos, music, and videos without relying solely on the internal memory.

Camera

A. Camera Specifications

The HTC myTouch 3G Slide is equipped with a 5-megapixel rear camera, accompanied by an LED flash. It lacks a front-facing camera, which was common for many smartphones at the time, though it limits the device’s utility for video calls or selfies.

B. Image Quality

The camera on the myTouch 3G Slide produces decent images under good lighting conditions. Photos taken outdoors or in well-lit environments exhibit reasonable color accuracy and detail, though the lack of a high megapixel count and advanced image processing means that images can appear slightly soft.

In low-light conditions, the camera struggles significantly. The LED flash helps illuminate subjects in close range, but images often suffer from noise and a loss of detail. The camera’s performance in dim lighting is one of its weaker aspects, and users expecting high-quality night-time photography will likely be disappointed.

C. Camera Features and Interface

The camera app on the myTouch 3G Slide is straightforward, offering basic features such as autofocus, geo-tagging, and a few shooting modes like portrait and landscape. The user interface is intuitive, allowing users to quickly switch between photo and video modes, adjust settings, and review captured images.

Video recording is limited to VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels), which was standard for many smartphones at the time. Video quality is adequate for casual use, but it falls short of delivering the clarity and smoothness that higher-end devices were beginning to offer.

Software Experience

A. Android 2.1 Eclair

The HTC myTouch 3G Slide shipped with Android 2.1 Eclair, overlaid with HTC’s Sense UI. Android 2.1 was a significant improvement over previous versions, introducing features like improved Google Maps, voice-to-text input, and support for live wallpapers. HTC’s Sense UI added a layer of customization and additional features that enhanced the overall user experience.

B. HTC Sense UI

HTC’s Sense UI on the myTouch 3G Slide brought several enhancements to the Android experience. It introduced the “Friend Stream,” a unified feed that aggregated social media updates from Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms, making it easier for users to stay connected.

The Sense UI also included a customizable home screen with multiple panels, offering quick access to widgets and apps. The user interface was polished and visually appealing, making the device feel more user-friendly compared to the stock Android experience.

C. Pre-Installed Apps and Customization

The myTouch 3G Slide came with several pre-installed apps, including T-Mobile’s apps for account management and services. While these apps were useful for some users, they also occupied precious storage space, which was already limited.

Customization options were somewhat limited by the Android 2.1 platform, but users could still personalize their home screens, change wallpapers, and download apps from the Android Market. However, the limited internal storage meant that users had to be selective about the number of apps they installed.

D. Software Updates

Unfortunately, the myTouch 3G Slide’s software support was short-lived. While the device received an update to Android 2.2 Froyo, it did not receive further updates to newer versions of Android. This limited the phone’s lifespan in terms of software, as newer apps and features became incompatible over time.

Keyboard and Typing Experience

A. Physical QWERTY Keyboard

One of the standout features of the HTC myTouch 3G Slide is its physical QWERTY keyboard, which slides out from beneath the display. The keyboard is well-designed, with five rows of keys that include a dedicated row for numbers. The keys are well-spaced and slightly raised, making typing comfortable and accurate, even for users with larger hands.

The tactile feedback from the keys is satisfying, and the inclusion of a physical keyboard makes the myTouch 3G Slide an excellent choice for users who prefer physical keys over virtual keyboards, particularly for heavy texting or emailing.

B. Virtual Keyboard and Typing Alternatives

In addition to the physical keyboard, the myTouch 3G Slide also offers a virtual keyboard for touchscreen typing. The virtual keyboard is responsive and supports predictive text input, which helps speed up typing. However, users who prioritize speed and accuracy will likely prefer the physical keyboard for longer text input.

The inclusion of both physical and virtual keyboards provides flexibility, allowing users to choose the typing method that best suits their needs. This dual approach was particularly valuable during the transition period from physical to virtual keyboards in the smartphone market.

Battery Life

A. Battery Specifications

The HTC myTouch 3G Slide is powered by a 1,300 mAh removable Li-Ion battery, which was fairly standard for mid-range smartphones of its time. The battery capacity is modest by today’s standards, but it was designed to offer sufficient power for a day of typical use, given the hardware and software efficiency of the device.

B. Real-World Battery Performance

In real-world usage, the battery life of the HTC myTouch 3G Slide is average. For light to moderate usage, which includes activities like calling, texting, browsing the web, and occasional app use, the phone could generally last through a full day on a single charge. However, more intensive tasks such as gaming, video playback, or extensive web browsing could drain the battery more quickly, often requiring a recharge by late afternoon or evening.

One of the advantages of the myTouch 3G Slide is its removable battery, which allows users to carry a spare and swap it out if needed. This feature has become less common in modern smartphones but was a valuable option for users who needed extended battery life without access to a charger.

C. Power Management Features

The phone includes basic power management settings that allow users to monitor battery usage and adjust settings to extend battery life. For instance, users can reduce screen brightness, disable background data syncing, and turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when not in use. These settings help conserve battery life, particularly when the device is running low on power.

Connectivity and Network Performance

A. Network Support and Call Quality

The HTC myTouch 3G Slide supports 3G networks with HSDPA speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps, which was typical for smartphones in its class during 2010. The device is compatible with GSM networks, making it usable on a wide range of carriers globally, particularly those using GSM technology.

Call quality on the myTouch 3G Slide is generally good, with clear voice transmission and decent noise cancellation. The earpiece is loud enough for most environments, and the speakerphone provides adequate volume and clarity for hands-free conversations.

B. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS

The myTouch 3G Slide includes standard connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP support, and GPS with A-GPS functionality. Wi-Fi performance is reliable, allowing for stable connections to wireless networks for web browsing, app downloads, and streaming.

Bluetooth connectivity works well for pairing with wireless headsets, car systems, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. The inclusion of GPS allows for accurate location tracking and navigation using apps like Google Maps, which was a major selling point for smartphones at the time.

C. USB and Other Connectivity Options

The device features a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. While this was the standard port type at the time, it has since been replaced by USB-C in modern smartphones. The microUSB port on the myTouch 3G Slide supports standard USB charging and data transfer speeds, but users may find it slower compared to the capabilities of more recent USB standards.

The phone also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect wired headphones or external speakers. The presence of this port is convenient for users who prefer using wired audio accessories, a feature that has become less common in newer smartphone models.

Multimedia and Entertainment

A. Music and Audio Performance

The HTC myTouch 3G Slide offers a decent audio experience for its time, with a built-in music player that supports a variety of formats, including MP3, AAC, and WMA. The audio output through the 3.5mm headphone jack is satisfactory, providing clear sound quality for music and other audio content.

The device also includes an FM radio, which is a nice addition for users who enjoy listening to live radio broadcasts. The radio app is straightforward to use, requiring a pair of wired headphones to act as an antenna.

B. Video Playback and Streaming

The myTouch 3G Slide is capable of playing standard-definition video content, and it supports popular formats like MP4 and H.264. However, the 3.4-inch display with its 320 x 480 resolution limits the video viewing experience. While videos play smoothly, the low resolution results in a less sharp and detailed picture compared to higher-end devices.

For streaming video, the device can handle YouTube and other streaming services available at the time. However, the small screen size and lower resolution make it less ideal for extended video watching, especially compared to modern devices with larger, high-definition displays.

C. Gaming Performance

Gaming on the myTouch 3G Slide is limited by its hardware specifications. While the device can run basic and less demanding games from the Android Market, more graphically intensive games may struggle to perform smoothly. The 600 MHz processor and 512 MB of RAM are adequate for simple games like Angry Birds, but newer or more complex titles may experience lag or longer load times.

The physical keyboard does not contribute much to gaming, as most Android games are designed for touch controls. However, for games that require text input or rely on key commands, the keyboard can provide an alternative control method.

User Experience

A. Ease of Use

The HTC myTouch 3G Slide is designed with ease of use in mind, especially for users transitioning from feature phones to smartphones. The physical keyboard is a major advantage for those who prefer tactile typing, and the combination of a touchscreen and physical keys offers a flexible and user-friendly experience.

The user interface, enhanced by HTC’s Sense UI, is intuitive and accessible, with customizable home screens, easy access to settings, and a range of pre-installed apps that cater to everyday tasks. The phone is straightforward to navigate, making it suitable for both novice users and those with more experience.

B. Customization and Personalization

One of the strengths of Android devices, including the myTouch 3G Slide, is the ability to customize the user experience. Users can personalize their home screens with widgets, shortcuts, and wallpapers, as well as choose from a variety of ringtones and notification sounds. The Android Market offers access to a wide range of apps and games, allowing users to tailor the phone to their preferences.

However, the limited internal storage poses a challenge for extensive customization, as users may quickly run out of space for additional apps and media. This makes the microSD card slot an essential feature for those who want to expand their storage capabilities.

C. Learning Curve

The learning curve for the myTouch 3G Slide is relatively gentle, especially for users familiar with basic mobile phone functions. The presence of a physical keyboard makes typing more accessible for those not yet comfortable with virtual keyboards, and the Android operating system, while slightly dated, offers a logical and straightforward approach to smartphone navigation.

For users new to Android or smartphones in general, the device provides a manageable introduction, with a range of tutorials and help options available through the settings and user manual.

Value for Money

A. Pricing and Market Position

At the time of its release, the HTC myTouch 3G Slide was positioned as a mid-range smartphone, offering a balance of features and performance at a relatively affordable price point. It was targeted at users who wanted a capable smartphone without the premium price tag of flagship models.

While the device has since been surpassed by more advanced and affordable smartphones, it offered good value for money in 2010, particularly for those who valued the inclusion of a physical keyboard.

B. Longevity and Durability

The myTouch 3G Slide is a durable device, with build quality that has allowed it to hold up well over time. However, its limited hardware specifications and lack of software updates mean that its longevity in terms of performance and compatibility with newer apps is limited.

For users who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing, the device may still serve its purpose. However, those looking for a smartphone that can keep up with the demands of modern apps and services will likely find the myTouch 3G Slide outdated.

C. Competition and Alternatives

At the time of its release, the HTC myTouch 3G Slide faced competition from other mid-range smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Ace and the LG Optimus One. These devices offered similar features and price points, with some variations in design, performance, and software experience.

Today, the myTouch 3G Slide is outclassed by a wide range of budget and mid-range smartphones that offer superior performance, higher resolution displays, better cameras, and more recent software updates. Devices like the Moto G series or entry-level Nokia smartphones provide a more modern and capable alternative for users on a budget.

Conclusion

The HTC myTouch 3G Slide was a significant device in its time, offering a well-rounded smartphone experience with the added benefit of a physical keyboard. It was designed to cater to a broad audience, including those new to smartphones and those who valued the tactile feedback of a physical keyboard.

While its hardware and software have since been surpassed by more advanced devices, the myTouch 3G Slide remains a noteworthy example of HTC’s design and innovation during the early years of Android smartphones. Its build quality, ease of use, and the flexibility provided by the physical keyboard made it a popular choice for many users.

However, as technology has advanced, the myTouch 3G Slide has become less practical for modern use. Its limited processing power, small display, and lack of software updates make it challenging to recommend as a daily driver in today’s smartphone landscape. For collectors or enthusiasts interested in the history of Android smartphones, the myTouch 3G Slide represents an interesting piece of mobile technology from a time when physical keyboards were still a valuable feature.

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