Pictures and Video of the HTC S620 (Excalibur) from Howard Chui

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.howardchui.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=261' target='_blank'>http://www.howardchui.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=261</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20060919-s620Keyboard.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Howard has just posted a video showing off a couple of the latest devices from HTC. The video shows a couple different Pocket PC devices and the new HTC Excalibur (S620). Unfortunately, the video doesn't show the Excalibur next to the Q. It's a comparison that you really need to see more of. The Excalibur is a lot thinner and more narrow than you think. I had a chance yesterday to lay my hands on the S620, and overall it's a pretty sweet phone. I was a little concerned with the keyboard as the keys are really small. I can see this being a problem for a fair amount of people. The keys also didn't have the snap and firmness of the Q. I was also a little disappointed with the JOGGR strip. It seemed a little awkward to use. Perhaps that would change if I had a little more time to play with it. The device has a really cool rubberized feel to it. It gives the device a little grip in your hands. 8)

[Pete Paxton]

From your initial first reaction, would you pick the 620 or the Q (if you could only pick one)? Did you like it better than your sp5m? Thanks for the feedback.

[Mike Temporale]

From your initial first reaction, would you pick the 620 or the Q (if you could only pick one)? Did you like it better than your sp5m? Thanks for the feedback.

Oh, great question. What to do....

I'm more than a little sick of the SP5m. The whole broken joystick issue really left a sour taste in my mouth. I'm not impressed with the whole i-mate service process and the fact that so many seem to have this problem. Overall, it's a nice device, but I would much rather still be using my SMT5600 - if it only had WinMo5 on it. :( So the short answer is that I would like anything better than my SP5m right now. ;)

I'm on GSM, and I'm not about to switch to CDMA. That means there is no Q for me. Not right now. The Q is at least 4 or 5 months away and I don't expect that I can wait that long. :lol:

However, if the Q, in GSM, was available today along with the Excalibur; It would be a very tough call. The keyboard and scroll wheel on the Q are much better. However, the Excalibur is smaller and fits better in your hand. The Excalibur screen is bigger than the Q and from what I've heard the battery life is better too. WiFi is a bonus, but I don't think it's a deal breaker.

So what would I pick? I don't really know. My mind is saying Q, but deep down I think that I need to give the Excalibur more hands on time before I can say for sure.

[qyv42]

The keyboard and scroll wheel on the Q are much better.

Interesting - I found the Excalibur's keyboard to be dramatically better than the Q. The Excalibur's keyboard felt a little "squishier" but it made typing easier than the very hard-to-press Q keyboard. A subjective thing, clearly!

[Pete Paxton]

I currently have an SDA and it works perfectly. I wonder how much difference the qwerty keyboard will make since I already have a BT keyboard. This is a tough one because my contract doesn't end for over another year so the Excalibur will be expensive for me. Since I already have wifi and a BT keyboard, I may hold off on the Excalibur. Wonder how I'll feel when I actually mess with one? I wish the SCH i600 was quad band, I think that's the one I would buy since is also has 3g plus I like the looks of it better. Hey Mike, what did you think of how the Excalibur looks in person? Seems a bit unattractive in pics. I'd appreciate any pros and cons from anyone to my dilemma.

[HalM]

I was just looking at the specs for the Excalibur (S620) on the new HTC Europe web site. Is it really missing 3G? If so, that phone will be a non-starter in the GSM market, IMHO. Why would you choose it over the Samsung i607 or even the Treo 750?

[Mike Temporale]

I was just looking at the specs for the Excalibur (S620) on the new HTC Europe web site. Is it really missing 3G? If so, that phone will be a non-starter in the GSM market, IMHO. Why would you choose it over the Samsung i607 or even the Treo 750?

Oh, I don't know. This device has WiFi while the Samsung doesn't. Also, 3G deployment isn't all that wide spread. At least note yet. So I guess it really depends on your needs. :)

[HalM]

Mike, 3G has been rolled out here in the Charlotte area, so I can take take advantage of it. And I know what you mean about WiFi. I very seldom use it with my SP5. However according to MGN, the i607 will have WiFi, 802.11 b/g.

[rossasaurus]

Hey, Crispeto,
I'm asssuming you have your SDA via T-Mobile?
The T-Mobile rep told me the other night if I bought one, which I'm considering, if i chose to upgrade to the MDA or something new, they have an upgrade program which basically gives you the "new customer/plan" price for your new phone.
May be worth checking out if you're considering the S620.

R