HTC HD7 review

We experienced a certain sense of déjà vu when we first clapped eyes on the HTC HD7. After a brief moment racking our brains we realised why: the HD7 is uncannily similar to the HTC Touch HD2 we reviewed this time last year.

As well as looking the same, the HD7 has a familiar specification. The screen is the same size and resolution (a massive 4.3in, 480 x 800 capacitive touchscreen), the processor is the same 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon and the 5-megapixel camera is unchanged, right down to its dual-LED flash.

There’s nothing wrong with a little recycling, though, especially if what went before was good. That 4.3in screen, for instance, is as lovely as ever. It isn’t as bright and in your face as the Samsung Omnia 7’s, nor as smooth and grain-free as the iPhone 4’s, but it isn’t far behind. Browsing the web, viewing photos and navigating through Windows Phone 7’s slick hubs and menus is a joy.

The phone itself is still a little too large to comfortably squeeze into a pocket, measuring 68 x 12.5 x 122.5mm (WDH) and heavy with it (162g), but that doesn’t stop us admiring the engineering behind it. Despite its larger screen dimensions, the HTC HD7 still feels more comfortable in the hand than the slab-like Omnia 7.

We also like the small aluminium kickstand that flips out at the rear – a subtle yet thoughtful addition to the original that should come in useful when watching video.