T-Mobile MDA follow on

The follow on to the T-Mobile MDA reference design the HTC Wizard is the HTC Hermes. T-Mobile Germany is offering it as the MDA Vario II and Orange UK as the SPV M3100.

This PDA phone is designed for 3G HSDPA networks and sports an upgraded Samsung processor running at 400MHZ vs the HTC Wizard TI OMAP running at 190MHZ. They both have 128MB of ROM and 64MB RAM. The Hermes has a 2MP camera vs a 1.3MP camera on the Wizard. The Hermes has a micro SD slot, the Wizard has a mini SD slot (here we go again with a new flash memory card format). The Hermes has a camera on the front for video conferencing. The Hermes is 16 grams heavier 176 grams vs 160 grams. The Hermes' dimensions of 58 x 112.5 x 21.95 mm vs the Wizard's dimensions of 58 x 109 x 23.7 mm make the Hermes a little taller and thinner. I wish they would have expanded the memory to a 256MB ROM/128MB RAM and kept the mini SD slot, otherwise this is a great follow on to the Wizard.

Paul O'Brien over at MODACO has gotten his hands on the Orange version, here is his review.

Cingular is ahead of T-Mobile US in deploying their high speed 3G HSDPA network and will probably releasing this phone first. Too bad, hopefully T-Mobile will turn on their HSDPA network in 2007 and start selling this phone, I am waiting...