Unboxing the HTC Advantage X7501

I'm sitting in a beautiful cloud of gadget euphoria right now because the HTC Advantage I first ordered in June, later canceled in favor of the Samsung Q1 Ultra, and ultimately re-ordered has finally arrived.

If happiness is contagious and you're in a bad mood, then join me below for an incredibly indulgent unboxing. My giddiness and outright joy are sure to rub off on you.

I'm seriously so happy that I can barely think or speak.

Packaging

Contents

Wow! Look at all this stuff!

Included with the gorgeous Windows Mobile 6 Pro device are a 250-page user manual, quick start guide, Getting Started CD-ROM containing WM software, screen protector, leather carrying case, AC adapter, headset, battery, extra stylus, VGA-out cable, and USB sync cable.

Closer look

The magnetic connection between the keyboard and device is freakishly strong. When in close proximity, the keyboard practically jumps to attach to the copper connector at the bottom of the Advantage. (Yes, I tend to exaggerate when I'm excited.)

I love that the keyboard doubles as a protective cover for the 5-inch touchscreen. The clear end of the cover is to allow at-a-glance viewing of the subdisplay, which can be configured to show weather, current time, and various notifications.

Leather case

This has got to be one of the best gadget cases to ever be included as a standard accessory.

A gigantic magnet is sewn into the right half of the case to keep the keyboard in place.

The case is held shut by the magnets. There's very little chance of either the Advantage or the keyboard falling out of the case if it were to accidentally open, but I'd still rather have a strap with a button or magnetic closure.

Size

The Advantage measures 5.26" x 3.86" x 0.63" (0.79" thick with keyboard).

Here it is next to my UX180P.

And that just about does it for now. All I've done since so far is to insert the battery and plug it into an outlet (check out the LED surrounding the joystick below), so this is definitely not the last time you'll see the Advantage here at Pocketables.

The 8GB device is packed with connectivity options (HSDPA, quad-band GSM, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g) and stuffed with so many features that it's no wonder the user manual is 250 pages. I'm actually part of the crazy minority that reads product manuals from cover to cover, so I have a lot of reading to do. I also haven't used a Windows Mobile device since WM2003.

The amber LED just turned green, so I'm off to hit the power button for the first time. I just hope I'm not one of the unlucky ones.

Update: Lots more on my dedicated HTC Advantage X7501 news and reviews page.

Comments

[Benz145]

I want one.

[Steve Paine]

Seriously interested in your opinion on this.
I didn't like the 7500 but most people are liking the 7501 but don't talk much about the browsing experience. How is it from a consumer angle?

Have lots of fun!

Steve.

[Bruno]

Congratulations Jenn, the long wait has finally paid off :-) By the way, I just noticed that the leather case on your Advantage is different from the one on my Ameo - Ameo comes with a pen and the case has got two loops that can hold it. This also doubles as an extra measure to keep the case closed. From your pictures it looks like the loops are missing from your case. Having said that, I do not use them and the case has never once opened on its own.

[Opus]

Not that it compares in Windows functionality to the Sony UX or OQO 02, but it is not even "pocketable" like the OQO 02 considering the height if that is correct. Funny thing is screen bezel height looks pretty close, but I know from experience 3.3" is tight to fit width of front shirt pockets although being slimmer might help.
HTC - 5.26" x 3.86" x 0.63"
OQO - 5.6” x 3.3” x 1.0”

Other than that, raised keys looks similiar to OQO so thumb keyboard experience should be just as great. Nice close up.

Still, I need a PC for running typical & non-typical Indows software so I'll stick with the OQO 02.

[Dominus]

so, one question only, if you keep this device in "your" bag, will it destroy all your credit and bank cards? Seriously, powerfull magnets and these kind of cards don't mix AFAIK...

[Bruce Wilson]

Glad to see you're giving the Advantage a try. I was surprised by Steve Paine's comment -- I've had the x7500 for about 2 months and love it - sold both my Hermes (TyTN I and Cing 8525) I'm so happy with it. I guess Steve's impressions were tied to WM5. My x7500 has WM6 on it and works just like the 7501 but also has the front camera, for what that may be worth. Otherwise mine looks exactly like the photos Jenn has provided (great pix BTW). I decided to not use the leather cover and have routinely had my Advantage in my front shirt pocket in a variety of shirts (even the dress shirt I'm wearing today). It's big and a bit tight in some shirts but usually fits comfortably. I had an OQO 02 for a short while but could never pocket it in a shirt pocket. I think what I most enjoy with my Advantage is the roomy screen and convenience of a reasonably good keyboard. It's got excellent battery life compared to my UMPCs or my laptops and that's with BT and WWAN running most of the time (I get 7-8 hr before I need to find power). It's hard to beat HTC for innovation and their obvious understanding of us users' needs/preferences.

[orbitalcomp]

So, you finally went through with the order, eh Jenn? Great shots of the device, they look very professional. Enjoy the new 7501, it's a fantastic device. I find myself using my 7500 (upgraded to WM6) almost daily, leaving the iPhone at home. Battery life is very good, and it's easy to charge from any USB port.

A few suggestions: I don't know if you have ever used one of these, but the LG i-Style HBM-700 Bluetooth remote works great with the Advantage. It's a pen-shaped device with a pocket clip that has an OLED screen and dialing buttons, basically a miniature phone extension. I use mine all the time, it has great volume and sound quality, plus I prefer it having something stuck on my ear all the time.

The other suggestion is to ditch that included case. It's too bulky because of those plastic clips, and those things will constantly be rubbing against the keyboard. I bought a black leather case from Boxwave that is great, it covers the entire front of the Advantage, and it is much thinner. Plus, it has a magnetic snap to keep it shut and is a nicer quality leather.

[Bob Russell]

Is there any chance of this fitting onto a belt clip holder or into something like Dockers front pants pockets? Is this destined to be carried separately or in a purse.

Also can't wait to hear if touch typing is possible and easy/hard on this. My experience has been that these tiny keyboards become 2-finger keyboards and you can touch type, but have to concentrate so hard that it's almost not worth it...

[Jenn]

Hi everyone. I've responded to your comments and answered your questions in a full post because my longwindedness got the better of me.

@ Benz: Don't worry. I won't tell your UX180P. ;-)

[Steven]

Decribing the HTC x7501 in one Word, "Functionality" I stepped from a HP rx3715 to the hx 4701. at the time, I thought there was no better PDA. Then I Purchased the HTC X7501, So much power, So much Memory, I mean it has a mini SD slot and with 8GB in the mirco drive why bother. The 3M pix camera. and the frosting on the cake is that it's a phone too. Didn't need a phone, but a excellent addition. Huge 5 inch screen. I'm an original PDAer and the x7501 is much smarter than a phone and it is not a itoy.

[Jenn]

I couldn't agree more, Steven. It took a while for me to really warm up to Windows Mobile, but the longer I have the Advantage in my hands, the more I love it. The only downside is that the large screen size and extra roomy storage have ruined me for all other WM devices. I just got a AT&T Tilt (HTC TyTN II) the other day (first impressions here) and am struggling with having to pick and choose which apps I'd like to install because memory is comparatively so limited. WM6 looks tiny too!

I'm not done writing about the Advantage yet, but a consolidated list of my coverage so far can be found on the dedicated HTC Advantage news and reviews page.

I'm still looking for a good case. The included is really nice, but I need something with a cutout for the subdisplay. There are several on the market at the moment, but I'm waiting for Noreve and/or Vaja to come out with something.