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HP iPAQ 914c Business Messenger review

Verdict

Not a bad smartphone, but it can't compete as an overall package with either Nokia's E71 or RIM's BlackBerry Bold.

Review Date: 14 Aug 2008

Reviewed By: Jonathan Bray

Price when reviewed: on £35 per month, 18 month contract (T-mobile)

Overall Rating
4 stars out of 6

On another positive note, the HP's size means that it can fit in an absolutely huge lithium polymer battery. With a capacity of 1,940mAh it's the biggest cell we've ever seen in a Windows Mobile phone and larger than the 1,500mAh batteries seen in the E71 and Bold handsets. It's good enough to stretch the phone's lifespan out to three full days of light use with push email turned on, which is a highly impressive performance. And unlike the Nokia E71, this phone can be charged over USB.

But is HP's 914c good enough to challenge either the Nokia E71 or BlackBerry Bold's positions on our A List? Alas no. It has the features. It has the battery life. It has a good screen and keyboard. But its use of Windows mobile handicaps it and, alas, it's just not as sexy as the competition.

Author: Jonathan Bray

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User comments

I wouldn't buy this one!

I usually never have time nor need to review products, but this one is so pissing me off that I've especially registered here to let you know of my dealings with IPAQ 914c

I use it businesswise +/- 6 months. It's a company's mobile. IMHO this smartphone is really a joke. The major problems are powerconsumption and battery lifetime, freez of application and not user friendly network management. The battery of this phone cannot handle a day with a wifi on. Not to mention the use of other application. Don't even try installing them on your unit (like naviagation software, backup software, skype, other) because this phone is going to die on you almost the minute you do... if you tend to use built-in features like GPS or WIFI or Bluetooth, be sure to switch it off immediatly after you've used them. As IT specialist in our company, I give support to my collegues using those and main issues are the ones I've mentioned above.

As to the design, it looks nice, but is really big and takes a lot of space in your pockets. The keyboard is a nice feature though and the fact that you can use high density SD cards is also a plus (you can't use those cards with IPAQ 614).

Owning this phone is like being in prison: you have to think to recharge it almost every day! think not to forget the charger... and above all... not to forget your phone with you, cause it so huge you don't want to "wear it" on you all the time.

And one more fault in design: the phone is being charged by the same entry your headset is using to produce audio... so no mp3 or handsfree calling when charging. Given the quality of the battery, and the fact that the phone has to charge almost all the time, it means no music and handsfree calling at all

So as far as I am concerned this phone is big big big rubish.

So be aware.

By levinas on 23 Dec 2009

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