S740 - first impressions

---

Ok, I have ploughed through a load of HTC phones recently. I will admit upfront that I always like coming back to real numeric and alpha-keyboard phones for my daily phones. I was a big fan of the S710 and S620, actually my favourite HTC phones. The original HTC touch was the most enjoyable touch phone. Recently I have had the diamond, touch 3G, Tytn and loads of both HTC and other makes including the iphone. I have never been comfortable with on-screen numeric pads and keyboards. the screens need constant cleaning, there is no feedback, I am constantly worried about damaging the screen (well done apple for having a glass screen!) and its just a pain when entering numeric digits over the phone.

I will say upfront that I think the S740 is the hidden gem in the range. The design fits beautifully in the hand and the construction is top notch. It looks very stylish and the sliding keyboard doesn't wobble at all in any position. I have never had that before on a slider. The weight is just right and lends a really quality feel. The screen is excellent, the phone is fast with bags of features and a powerful cpu and good memory.

Its great coming back to keystrokes to go places rather then touch, its just so damn fast. Plenty of applications are written for smartphones and loads of free ones out there make things fun.

The UK orange version, when using the HTC home screen, has no really customisations to make one annoyed, except the orange page bookmark! Unlocking can be had for around £16.22 on the net.

Pity no hardSPL, but quite frankly I have noticed no bugs so far and its just so fast.

One of my best buys so far!

My only complaints:

-Phone is slightly heavy and long. Weighing at 140g.
Could be due to the underlying qwerty keyboard and big numeric keypads.
-Send and end buttons were too small. Could be bigger.
-Fingerprint magnet, easily scratched keypads and softkeys.

And if you've noticed, it's the only WM smartphone out there having a 256 RAM/ROM.

Only real issue I have with mine is that I'm 100% sure I haven't spilt anything on it as it's always in its slip case, but the numeric keypad on the front seems to make a kind of noise which suggests it's sticky or dirt has got behind the keys. Makes kind of scratchy noise which is a bit rubbish.

Anyone else find this?

What are my eyes seeing? An S740 post? Wow...

I love the phone, it feels great in my hand and it's also really fast.
joebi I think you've got dirt under it, I have no problem with the keys. Been using it quite a lot since I bought it in February.