[Jerry Raia]

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news2111.html

"These two handsets are familiar to us already on many different networks, however we have it on very good authority that Vodafone are ready to release these in the UK. The HTC Universal (aka o2 XDA Exec / SPV M5000 etc) will be called the Vodafone v1640 a - that's the one with the keyboard. The HTC Tornado (iMate SP5) will be called the Vodafone v1240 - that's the phone-shaped one and yes, it's got the WiFi too."



The picture quality is nothing to cheer about but notice the v1240 has a silver keypad. Think it looks better than the black one? I prefer the black one myself.

[Jerry Raia]

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news2111.html

"These two handsets are familiar to us already on many different networks, however we have it on very good authority that Vodafone are ready to release these in the UK. The HTC Universal (aka o2 XDA Exec / SPV M5000 etc) will be called the Vodafone v1640 a - that's the one with the keyboard. The HTC Tornado (iMate SP5) will be called the Vodafone v1240 - that's the phone-shaped one and yes, it's got the WiFi too."



The picture quality is nothing to cheer about but notice the v1240 has a silver keypad. Think it looks better than the black one? I prefer the black one myself.

[Kris Kumar]

I will have to see it person for the final verdict, but right now I am leaning towards the Vodafone's silver keypad styling. My previous Smartphone, the i-mate SP3i, also had silver keypad, with black+grey body; I liked it a lot.

[MitchellO]

I like the black keyboard better. Just goes better with the black screen bezel.

And I loooooove the Universal

[surfer]

Anyone know if these will be released on vodafone sweden?

[Stinger]

I prefer the black version too. It's all too easy for silver plastic to look cheap and nasty.

I also wonder how Vodafone comes up with their model numbers. They seem to be a random collection of numbers and not very easy to remember.

[Mike Temporale]

Originally Posted by MitchellO

And I loooooove the Universal

Yuck! That thing is so big and heavy... Blah!

[keirmeister]

I actually prefer the silver keypad, it better matches my SP3i, which I think is simply gorgeous.

Actually, I was hoping they would keep the same SP3i body with the new screen, OS, etc. But this is close enough, I guess...although I still think the SP3i design looks better.

As for the HTC Universal - That thing does everything, but it is indeed better suited as a PDA device than phone. It's just so bloody huge.

Now, of course, if they were to make the Universal's screen fill up the entire area....that would be SWEET!

- Keirmeister