HTC Touch Pro2 review: Out with a pro

Amid talk of Android and would-be heroes we're about to revisit HTC on their hallowed PocketPC ground. Good things seem to come in pairs for the company while out-and-out upgrades are always good news for the user. With two jewels in the crown and two pros on the squad, HTC march towards PocketPC dominance and the Touch Pro2 looks like it has what it takes to lead the campaign.

HTC Touch Pro2 official photos

More powerful gear and more impressive shell than the original Pro, HTC Touch Pro2 is in charge of the armored unit, while the Diamond2 tackles the infantry.

PocketPC is definitely the HTC game but it sure isn't a one horse race. The list of prominent number 2's is perhaps about to be continued with an XPERIA. On the other hand, the launch of the Touch Pro2 is perhaps timed just right to beat another major headliner from the Symbian camp - the Nokia N97.

Anyway, that's just the background. The real thing is how the Touch Pro2 handles and performs. A number two can't be much of prophet we guess but a well-done upgrade can bring in enough profit.

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support and HSDPA 7.2Mbps
• 3.6" 65K-color touchscreen WVGA display
• Five row full QWERTY side-sliding keyboard of brilliant ergonomics
• Revamped TouchFLO 3D Home screen and gesture controls
• Wi-Fi and built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS
• Qualcomm MSM7200A 528 Mhz CPU and 288 MB DDR SDRAM
• Dedicated graphics chip (64MB RAM reserved for graphics)
• 3.15 MP auto focus camera
• Active stylus
• Touch-sensitive zoom bar
• Standard miniUSB port and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
• microSD memory expansion
• TV out
• Teeter game aboard
• Cool YouTube client
• Excellent video playback
• MS Office Mobile document editor
• Opera 9.5 web browser

Main disadvantages

• Considerable size and weight
• Average sunlight legibility
• No standard 3.5mm audio jack
• Poor camera performance
• No camera flash
• No FM radio by default (can be enabled with unofficial third-party software)

Talking upgrade, the HTC Touch Pro2 takes a leap forward in screen terms pumping up both resolution and size. It inherits the original Touch Pro but stands on the shoulders of a TytN too. The return of the tilting screen will sure be cheered. Now, add the revamped and improved exterior and you've got upgraders by the balls.

Welcome the HTC Touch Pro2

Oh, and that TouchFLO UI facelift we got a glimpse of on the new Diamond2 is just begging for another shot. So, the upgrade kit is all there but justifying the extra dime is the real deal and that's exactly what we are about to check.

We hailed the new Diamond and as long as the new Pro follows suit it sure has nothing to fear. But it'd better be keen on action and fit to play along, cause we're not letting it go unchallenged. Unboxing starts right after the jump.