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20 out of 20 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Iphone Killer?"
Pros: See the "Bottom Line Summary for full Pros & Cons of this phone.
Cons: See the "Bottom Line Summary" for full Pros & Cons of this phone.
Summary: PROS:
Sprint HEAVILY downplays the significant improvement in web-browsing that the Opera 9.5 browser brings to the table. They give it a compliment, but neglect to say that this browser is easily as good as Safari for the Iphone. They probably didn't also realize that at this current time, there is a plugin called MyFlash 3.1 that now gives the Diamond FULL FLASH CAPABILITY on any website. Yes, this means you can now go to the REGULAR Youtube site, and watch embedded flash video, as well as load up flash-only sites that alienated mobile users. This combination completely topples the Safari browser's capabilities, and is what should bring this phone's rating much higher.
Though CNET did not complain about the additional thickness of the Sprint Touch Diamond over its GSM version, the reasoning is worth mentioning. This version comes with an upgraded battery, up from 900 mAh to 1340 mAh, giving it a 33% bump in longevity.
The accelerometer on the Diamond is very accurate, and the programmers on the XDA forums have already written some extraordinary software utilizing it. An alarm you can turn off by shaking the phone, the ability to lock the screen just by rotating the phone 360 degrees clockwise in your hand, and unlocking it the opposite way, just to name a couple. The included game "Teeter" will mesmerize you and your friends - remember the "Labyrinth" game with the two knobs and a marble? Search youtube for video of this working perfectly on the phone.
Unlike the original Iphone or new Iphone 3G, this phone does what ANY and EVERY phone should have the capability of doing. It allows for Copy/Paste, which is vital to any business user. It also has video recording, which is ridiculously absent from the Iphone. Also, like every other phone sans the Iphone in the past 5+ years, this phone fully supports the MMS protocol, for sending pictures and video to friends. No email workaround needed here, folks.
CONS:
Yes, being locked to 4 GB storage is a severe limitation. It should have been 8 GB to compete with the Iphone a little better. It's obvious that if you're a power-user, you're going to want the upgraded ROM/RAM available in the Touch Pro, as well as the keyboard slider, which has gotten RAVE reviews. The Micro SDHC cardslot for the Touch Pro will support a card up to 32 GB's, which, when the cards become available this Christmastime, will be a major upgrade. The Touch Pro also adds a flash for the camera, which doubles as a flashlight.
BOTTOM LINE SUMMARY: The Touch Diamond does EXACTLY what it set out to do. For most users, they will never stray from the comfortability of the TouchFlo 3D interface, where they will enjoy the phone completely.
The only real cons of the device aren't cons at all - they are just excuses to wait for the Touch Pro, if you need the additional power-user features.
Between both phones, I believe we have ourselves an Iphone killer.
Updated on Sep 13, 2008Yes, of course I meant CNET heavily downplays the significant improvement in web-browsing that the Opera 9.5 browser brings to the table.
Not Sprint.
Updated on Sep 18, 2008Another simple rule... no reason to rate the phone a half star when you're just "informing" us. Sprint has been very open with the fact that the phone is available through tele-sales only at this time.
Updated on Sep 18, 200816 GB microSDHC cards are not even currently available. They are slotted for availability in a month or two, with the 32 GB card being available by Christmas.
Designed to be a failure? Please...that's quite a harsh, unrealistic statement.
Updated on Sep 23, 2008Those of you looking for MyFlash 3.1, I found it from a great website, called WMpoweruser. I'm not sure if CNET will let me link a site, so copy the link and fix it, and look for the download link under the post "Flash Lite 3.1 for Windows Mobile leaked!!" hxxp://wmpoweruser.com/?cat=4&paged=3
- 5 replies to this review
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First just let me say this was a wonderful review. I believe I will wait for the HTC Touch Pro (it's just $50 more and a mere .1 inch thicker) and hope your review will still be pertinent. Other than a lack of any GSM capability, this seems like a killer phone.
Quick question. Will it be possible to put MP3's on the micro SD card and assign them as ring tones? I find that Sprint will sometimes limit this rather simple functionality in order to force you to buy your ring tones from their music store.
Lastly, did that guy seriously compare it to the samsung instinct? haha, yikes. There is definitely basis for calling the diamond, and more so the touch pro, an 'iphone killer.' Not hating on the iphone, just a fact. -
I like your review. I'm going from a 3G to the Sprint Diamond, and I hope I like it as much as you.
But if you wouldnt mind, what is the website for MyFlash 3.1? I searched google, PPCGEEKS, XDA and still can't find the program or any info on it. Its hard to believe PPC has full flash comaptibility. -
New smartphone user, but very happy with touch diamond. Very responsive to touch. Would have like keyboard, but am adjusting well now. What is website to get myflash3.1. Thanks
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The Diamond is truly an iphone killer! And Metman787 you're a retard because the instinct is not even in the same class of smartphones as the Diamond is.
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It seems like you are hating on the iPhone rather than reviewing the touch diamond. I say this because you start talking about the Touch Pro. What was the whole point of the touch pro rant? Did you really need to use the touch pro to cover up for the diamonds lack of storage, crappy keyboard, and sluggish performance.
I mean seriously it seems like everyone is an iPhone hater and no the touch diamond is not an iPhone killer. It will come and go just like the instinct did.
HTC Touch Diamond (Sprint):
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