Testing the HTC Titan, which is the first smartphone brand to integrate Windows Phone 7.5 . It is presented as the successor to the HD7 , which was one of three HTC smartphones to be sold at the exit of the mobile operating system from Microsoft. What does the Titan over the HD7? Should we fall for the new Windows Phone? The answers after the test!
Key Features
Operating System Windows Phone 7.5
Processor / speed 1.5 GHz single-core
Qualcomm MSM8255
Memory / Storage 16GB of internal memory
(No expansion micro SD)
512 MB of RAM
Screen technology and definition 4.7”(480x 800) capacitive touchscreen
Super Sony LCD panel
Camera 8 megapixel autofocus camera + dual LED flash
(Capture video in 720p)
1.3 megapixel (Front Webcam)
GPS Yes + eCompass
FM Radio Yes
Battery 1600 mAh lithium-ion
Dimensions 131.5mm x 70.7mm x 9.9mm
Weight 160g (with battery)
HTC Titan
The large size is the main hallmark of Titan. The mobile then walk in the footsteps of the HTC HD7 . One year after the departure of the latter, HTC opted for a further enlarged screen, up from 4.3 to 4.7 inches.
Screen HTC Titan
One would imagine that this is accompanied by a change in resolution. Unfortunately, it remains unchanged since the Titan Super LCD keeps a slab of 480 x 800. Regrettable, especially as HTC, the feeling is much better. The onboard memory is seen, however, doubled (16GB for 8 against HD7) and processor (which maintains a single CPU core) earns 0.5 GHz to reach the threshold of 1.5 GHz.
HTC Titan: a super wide screen LCD of 4.7 inches for a non-standard size
The battery has been revised accordingly, as it goes from 1230 to 1600 mAh. We’ll see if this trend is paying off in terms of battery life. Finally, the Titan offers an 8-megapixel camera, 5 megapixels against the HD7.
Call quality
No problem to report on the quality of communications. Whether in the ear or through the wired kit, the Titan offers excellent sound quality. On the software, even if Windows Phone is a bit confusing at first, quickly found its mark.
Internet
The Web browser based on Internet Explorer appears perfectly at ease on this platform. The fluidity is almost perfect, even in the presence of sites “heavy”. In addition, the wide screen of 4.7 inches provides substantial comfort and meets the finger and the eye to different stresses (scrolling, zooming multipoint). The automatic resizing of paragraphs with a double tap and other automatic rotation based on the accelerometer are also present.
Only small dots of shadow, a “Search” button permanently associated with Bing Search (found on all smartphones Windows Phone 7.5), and a menu bar that is a bit too intrusive in landscape mode. The fact remains that the Titan offers a surfing experience that rises to the level which is best on mobile now.
Capture photos and video
The HTC Titan is equipped with a digital camera 8 megapixel autofocus supported by two LED flashes. If the solids are net of high contrast images (black on white), things go wrong in the pictures more complex (the motherboard or the brush on the stage of testing), giving the impression of a highly compressed snapshot . However, the powerful Titan shows where we did not expect really managing to make macros net.
The white balance also shows its limits (the images take on yellow), and the overall lack of brightness. Another small point: the physical key shooting is a bit too far from the base of the terminal, which is not practical to use.
Side features, the Titan generates. JPG approximately 1.46 MB for a resolution of 3264 x 2448. While a person is far from a Galaxy S2 , a Galaxy Note or iPhone 4S , the result is largely usable in everyday life.
Options of layer picture
As for options, even if the timer is conspicuously absent, HTC spoils us. In addition to the now traditional geotagging (built into Windows Phone 7) and video effects (sepia, black and white, etc.), the manufacturer offers a panorama mode with assistance based on the accelerometer (horizon with which he must line up for each shot). At the end of procedure, it does not distinguish between connections on the plate final, consisting of three photos. It also has a burst mode with five shots in a row.
About capturing video, small disappointment: while the majority of high-end now allow you to capture 1080p, the Titan is limited to 720p. A limitation due to the single processor heart? This would not be annoying with a sensor showing the height (which is the case of Lumia 800 for example). Here on the contrary, even if the videos are very fluid, there is a lack of clarity accompanied by defects on the part photo (red screaming, lack of light).
Video and audio
If video playback is always based on Zune (which must necessarily be synchronized with the Windows self-titled), HTC reiterated the efforts with the first Windows Phone devices . The Titan has 8 audio profiles which are accessed not directly in the music player, but via the Settings menu of the smartphone. An unnecessary complication. These profiles are complemented by an SRS mode (not combinable with profiles) to be convincing. In addition, there is also a small FM tuner that can be used in the presence of a wired headset.
HTC has not forgotten the sound profiles!
To place videos in the Titan, it will obviously go through Desktop Zune, Windows Phone 7 requires. While it is a shame not to manage the memory via USB as you would do it on Android. However, we appreciate that Zune Desktop includes a module to automatically convert many codecs / containers video to a format optimized for Windows Phone 7.5.
Programs offered by HTC back to top
Even if HTC can not (yet) make revisions to the interface (a limitation imposed by Microsoft), the Taiwanese manufacturer confirms its efforts to improve the software layer. In addition to the audio profiles dedicated to audio and video players, there are many small utilities. HTC offers an LED flashlight, a basic photo editing program (under 14 effects), the weather, stock quotes and news.
HTC has some software annexes.
There are also “Location”, a sequel to Foot Print (on Android). This program allows for just geotagged photos to back up its POI (points of interest) suddenly of heart, or to share via the Web. A ‘Footprint’ (GPS coordinates along with a small photo of the location and comment) can be shared via email or SMS.
Location: back up your favorite points of interest
In parallel with the application “One Note” provided natively by Microsoft, HTC provides a virtual notepad. If the basic aspect also means ease of use, we regret still unable to share a note by email or SMS.
DLNA and HDMI output
The HTC Titan does not have a native HDMI output, but according to officials of HTC, it offers compatibility with the MHL standard that requires the use of a Micro USB to HDMI adapter. An adapter that is naturally not supplied with the unit, which will cost an additional thirty euros.
MHL Adapter
However, you can do without such a connection using the network capabilities of the phone, since the DLNA has not been forgotten, as evidenced by the application “connected media”. This allows streaming video and photo content present in the phone memory to a compatible HDTV and others.
Battery Life
In everyday life, the autonomy of the Titan can take a day and a half between charges if used lightly. This shows that the presence of a battery inflated compared to the HTC HD7 can offset the surplus of consumption driven by the processor clocked at 1.5 GHz. It is therefore in the middle of what is generally found on smartphone.
The information is confirmed with our test using four distinct mixing (video playback, 3G surfing, surf Wi-Fi, music). In this case, the Titan came to rest 36% of battery, which places still above the 800 Lumia. It also outperforms its predecessor, significantly, the HD7 positioning the end of the ranking.
Conclusion
HTC Titan
With the Titan, HTC confirms its expertise by providing a terminal at the flawless finish, carved out of quality materials. In practice, the situation is good, Windows Phone 7.5 lying at ease on the Titan. Even in the absence of double heart, Qualcomm processor running at 1.5 GHz appears to par. The OS is perfectly smooth and heavy activities such as Web browsing run with perfect fluidity.
Are a few negative points, starting with the display of Titan, whose generous diagonal is not really exploited. We find a resolution identical to that of the first Windows Phone 7 (480 x 800), which is a shame. Disappointment also for Part photo / video shots are of average quality, while the 1080p is conspicuously absent. A definition that is spreading, however, on the high end. We expected more of the spear in Mango.
Finally, the phone is ideal for mobile users who wish to acquire a terminal XXL to discover or rediscover the mobile OS from Microsoft , but not necessarily essential for current holders of an HD7 .
Related articles
- Windows Phone fan? HTC Titan will be the best Windows Phone and compete with the iPhone for top honors. (teechy.com)
- The HTC Titan’s monster screen is perfect for Windows Phone 7 (chron.com)
- Windows Phone 7 updates pop up today. Enables Internet Sharing. (gottabemobile.com)
