HTC Snap

amazon HTC Snap reviews

Design and Build Quality

A Slim and Lightweight Profile

The HTC Snap was designed with portability in mind. Weighing just 120 grams and measuring 116.5 x 61.5 x 12 millimeters, the Snap was considered slim and lightweight for its time. The device’s compact size made it easy to slip into a pocket or purse, a feature that was particularly appreciated by users who were constantly on the go.

The phone’s construction was primarily plastic, with a soft-touch finish that added a level of comfort and grip. Despite its plastic build, the Snap felt solid in hand, with no noticeable creaks or flex when pressure was applied. The build quality was on par with other HTC devices of the era, known for their durability and attention to detail.

QWERTY Keyboard and Navigation

One of the HTC Snap’s standout features was its full QWERTY keyboard, which was designed to cater to users who prioritized messaging and email. The keyboard had four rows of keys, each slightly raised for tactile feedback. The keys were well-spaced, making it relatively easy to type with accuracy, even for users with larger fingers. The inclusion of a dedicated number row was a thoughtful addition, simplifying the process of entering numbers without needing to toggle between different modes.

Above the keyboard, the Snap featured a navigation pad with a central OK button, flanked by call and end buttons, two soft keys, a home key, and a back button. This setup allowed for easy navigation through the device’s menus and applications without needing to rely heavily on the small 2.4-inch display.

The Snap almost imitates the BlackBerry Curve from design to control. However, comparable in size, the larger one, the screen of this model is 2.4 inches wide.

Right below the screen, a series of buttons, in which the marbles like the trackball on the BlackBerry are in the center. This model owns a full QWERTY keyboard.

Although the Snap screen looks sharp and bright, but the resolution is only 320 x 240 pixels, far behind the BlackBerry Curve 8900, this model has a resolution of 480 x 360 pixels. This is a device that is significant when browsing the web, because Snap will not let the characters and images display as well, in addition to the site becomes more difficult to see.

However, the screen disappointment is just a very small point, the real keyboard of the Snap great, get back the image for the model. The keys of the machine are separate, spaced in rows, raised high and wide, allowing easy finger typing for fast e-mail and instant messaging.

Snap runs on Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard – this is the version for the smartphone screen prototype hard. Although moving the Menu, comes into application quite easily, however optional, using the trackball of the machine is not as good as the touch screen. For example, when going to the application, the user will spend time rolling through the pages, other than the easy touch-sensitive touch screen to go straight to the application.

In this version, HTC is equipped with software called Inner Circle, which allows access through dedicated keys. This is an application that supports quick access to programs such as incoming message search, important contacts. Adding contacts through the software becomes more convenient from e-mail, text messages by filtering characters, signatures …

The Snap is a fast-paced smartphone. This model uses the Qualcomm processor, clocked at 528 MHz, comes with 192 MB of RAM, enough memory to run applications, while the ROM is only 256 MB, too little to store text files. , Users can choose the solution saved on the microSD card.

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This is also a variety of smartphone connectivity, from HSDPA, Wi-Fi to browse the web, in addition to the Bluetooth-enabled conversation with wireless headphones. The quad-band slider, which is available in all countries around the world, supports GPS, works well with Google Maps maps, locates.

The 2-megapixel camera works at its basic level, and Snap lacks autofocus and flash, so photos taken in low light conditions are very poor. The handset is aimed at HTC business users, customers who see the camera is not important equipment.

One of the drawbacks is the long battery life. While most of the BlackBerry rivals allow users to use the functions of surfing the web, calling and spending a few days normally, the Snap is just one day less than a day.

Hardware and Performance

Processor and Memory

Under the hood, the HTC Snap was powered by a Qualcomm MSM7225 chipset with a 528 MHz ARM11 processor and 256 MB of RAM. This combination was fairly typical for mid-range smartphones of the time, providing sufficient power for basic tasks such as messaging, email, and light web browsing.

However, the Snap’s hardware was not designed to handle more demanding applications or multitasking scenarios. Users could experience occasional slowdowns when switching between multiple apps or when dealing with more complex tasks, such as viewing large email attachments or navigating websites with heavy content.

The device also included 256 MB of internal storage, with approximately 150 MB available to the user. While this was enough for storing emails, contacts, and a small number of apps, it quickly became limiting for users who wanted to store media files or install a larger number of applications. Thankfully, the HTC Snap featured a microSD card slot, allowing users to expand the storage up to 16 GB.

Battery Life

The HTC Snap was equipped with a 1500 mAh removable battery, which was relatively large for a device of its size and power requirements. The phone’s efficient hardware and lack of power-hungry features (such as a large display or high-performance processor) allowed it to achieve impressive battery life.

Under typical usage, which included sending and receiving emails, messaging, and occasional web browsing, the Snap could easily last a full day on a single charge. For lighter users, the battery could stretch into a second day without needing a recharge. This was a significant advantage for business users who relied on their phones throughout the workday and needed a device that could keep up with their demands.

Charging was done via a microUSB port, which was standard for the time. The inclusion of a removable battery also meant that users could carry a spare battery if they needed additional power on the go, a feature that is largely absent in modern smartphones.

Connectivity

The HTC Snap supported a range of connectivity options, including quad-band GSM for global voice and text communication, as well as 3G for data. The device also included Wi-Fi 802.11b/g for wireless internet access, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming, and GPS for navigation.

The inclusion of 3G was a notable feature, as it allowed for faster data speeds compared to the slower EDGE networks that were still prevalent at the time. This made tasks such as email synchronization, web browsing, and downloading apps more efficient, improving the overall user experience.

Software and User Experience

Windows Mobile 6.1

The HTC Snap ran on Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, a popular operating system for smartphones at the time, particularly in the business segment. Windows Mobile 6.1 offered a familiar interface for users who were accustomed to Microsoft’s desktop software, with a Start menu, taskbar, and a suite of pre-installed productivity applications.

The operating system included Microsoft Office Mobile, which allowed users to view and edit Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations on the go. This was a key selling point for business users who needed to stay productive while away from their desks.

Windows Mobile 6.1 also supported multitasking, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously and switch between them using the task manager. However, the limited hardware of the HTC Snap meant that multitasking could be slow, particularly if several resource-intensive applications were running at the same time.

HTC’s Custom Software

In addition to the standard Windows Mobile features, the HTC Snap came with several custom applications and enhancements from HTC. These included HTC Home, a customizable home screen widget that provided quick access to commonly used functions such as email, calendar, and weather.

HTC also included a custom email client called HTC Inner Circle, which was designed to help users prioritize their most important emails. By pressing the dedicated Inner Circle button on the keyboard, users could quickly view messages from their top contacts, ensuring that important communications were never missed.

These customizations were well-received by users, as they added value to the Windows Mobile experience without overwhelming the user with unnecessary features. HTC’s software was generally well-integrated with the operating system, providing a smooth and cohesive user experience.

Messaging and Communication

The HTC Snap was primarily marketed as a messaging phone, and it delivered on this promise with a strong focus on email, SMS, and instant messaging. The full QWERTY keyboard made typing out messages quick and efficient, while the inclusion of multiple messaging clients ensured that users could stay connected across various platforms.

The device supported Microsoft Exchange for corporate email, as well as POP3 and IMAP for personal email accounts. The Windows Mobile operating system also included a basic SMS client and Windows Live Messenger for instant messaging.

One of the standout features of the HTC Snap was its Inner Circle functionality, which allowed users to prioritize messages from specific contacts. This was particularly useful for business users who needed to stay on top of important communications from their colleagues, clients, or superiors.

Multimedia and Entertainment

Camera

The HTC Snap was equipped with a basic 2-megapixel rear camera, which was typical for smartphones of its time. The camera lacked advanced features such as autofocus, flash, or image stabilization, making it a relatively simple point-and-shoot option.

Image quality was average at best, with photos often appearing grainy and lacking in detail, particularly in low-light conditions. The camera was adequate for capturing quick snapshots or sharing images via MMS, but it was not suitable for users who prioritized photography.

The camera software included basic controls for adjusting settings such as white balance and exposure, but these were limited compared to the more advanced camera apps available on other devices.

Music and Media Playback

The HTC Snap included a media player that supported a range of audio and video formats, including MP3, WMA, AAC, and MP4. However, the device’s small display and limited processing power meant that it was not particularly well-suited for multimedia consumption.

Audio playback was decent, with the device’s speaker providing adequate volume and clarity for listening to music or podcasts. However, the lack of a standard 3.5mm headphone jack meant that users had to rely on the included microUSB headset or use an adapter for their own headphones.

The device also supported FM radio, a feature that was becoming less common in smartphones but was still appreciated by users who enjoyed listening to live broadcasts.

Strength

– The desk is well drafted

– Inner Circle software

Weak point

– Low battery

– Windows Mobile interface slow control

– Simple camera