HTC SMT5800 user reviews (Verizon Wireless)

3.0 stars

"An ok phone, just not for me" on January 23, 2008 by bwhite757

Pros: Full Keyboard, and Front Number Pad

Cons: Slide-Out keyboard tends to slide a little too easy. Ends up opening when you don't want it to. Buttons are sensitive, will keep screen on while it's in a pouch or pocket, draining battery.

Summary: I went into Verizon with my heart set on the Pearl 8130. I was upgrading from a Moto Q, and the salesperson wanted me to check out the SMT5800 that they had just got in, as I was already used to a Windows based smart phone, he thought I'd like this a little better. After playing with the phone in the store for awhile I thought he was right. I do like the size and the number keypad on the front, plus the full slide-out keyboard. Once I got it out of the store and started using it I realized I was wrong.

The first thing that was really bugging me was the fact that everytime I'd look down at my holster the screen would be lit up from hitting the sensitive buttons on the front. This most likely is why I'm also only getting about half of a day on the battery before it has to go back on the charger. Even with the key lock, the screen will still light up dimly with any button pressed, which is usually every time I move

Also another bad thing I've found out is the slide-out keyboard slides out a little too easy. It will flip out just turning the phone over in my hand. Pulling the phone out of my belt pouch, I always end up pulling it out and flipping out the keyboard. It's quite irritating.

However I do like the screen size, the camera is good with enough light, dark places forget about taking a picture, no flash. The Video quality is not that great, but better than my old Q. I do like having the option of sending a quick text message by using T9 with the front number pad, makes it easier when only one hand is free. The full keyboard is nice, easy to shoot out a quick email if need be. The buttons are spaced out good, and they have a nice rubbery feel, the only downfall is there is no question mark on the keyboard, you have to pull up the symbols screen to put in the ? The phone is easy to navigate, despite the lack of a touch screen. Call quality is good, however I found it a little awkward while talking on it, but then again I was used to my big flat Q.

Everything else is what you'd expect on a WM6 phone. The usual apps, IE, Office Document reader, etc. If I hadn't already had my heart set on the Pearl, I would probably keep this phone and learn to deal with the quirks, however this one will be returned to the store in the next couple of days.

4.0 stars

"Great phone, some quirks" on February 6, 2008 by jmkarl

Pros: Small Size, screen clarity, slide-out keypad

Cons: Small keys, annoying slide-out operation

Summary: I've had the phone for over a week now and, as a whole, really like it. My wife has a QMoto, so I've done a lot of comparison. In general, I like the feel and size of the SMT5800 - it fits easily into pockets, sleeves, etc. The slide-out keypad is nice, and the screen is sharp and very bright. The loaded apps are easily found and used, and the Outlook email wireless sync works great for me. The camera is ok, not great, but I don't use my phone as a camera very often. The scroll pad on the front is intuitive and works well for me. Windows Mobile works fairly fast, although can be sluggish when too many apps are open.

On the negative side, as mentioned by other reviews, the keys are a little small, and for some reason, there is no "?" on the keypad. It's suprising how often you use a question mark when texting to people. Also the keypad definitely slides out a bit TOO easily - just holding it in your hand in the wrong orientation may cause it to slide out with the accompaning chime. The numeric keys on the front are a little tight, but not too bad for me, although the plastic ring that surrounds them feels cheap. Voice-activated dialing requires voice-tags to be associated with each number, which is a little time-consuming to setup.

In comparison with my wife's Q Moto, I find I prefer her screen size (the same as most Blackberrys) - it's a little easier for me to read and navigate with - but not enough to overcome the trade-off in size (I definitely prefer the HTC size to the fat, flat slab style of phone).

4.0 stars

"Decent enough smartphone" on December 15, 2008 by lawman60

Pros: Versatility of phone, slide out keyboard keeps it compact in size, does exactly what I expect it to.

Cons: Will not read documents saved in Office 2007 format.

Summary: I like this phone. I haven't experienced the battery problems some have mentioned. But then again I don't check email or surf the web with this phone either. I wanted a phone/pda combo again and this unit fits the bill. It syncs flawlessly with my calendar, contacts and tasks in Outlook 2007 from my home PC which is exactly what I wanted. I generally get a battery life of 4-5 days or more and turn the phone off at night.

Now about what have said was the "flimsy" slide out keyboard. Others have said that the keyboard seemed loose and cheap almost like it would slide open at anytime. I thought the same thing at first. But in the past 4 months that I've had this phone, the keyboard actually seemed to tighten up.

I figure if I wanted to send and receive a lot of email or do a lot of web surfing I'd used a notebook or desktop PC.

1.5 stars

"Love it when it works...worked" on September 24, 2008 by Joe-Go

Pros: Small, easy to use, great calendar function and a nice programmable series of "modes."

Cons: It just dies. Totally, inexplicably--as in Verizon people scratch their heads and give me a new one for free--dies. Twice now in two months. It's hard to enjoy it when you can't turn it on. Otherwise I'm pleased as can be.