The screen is pretty small at 2.8-inches, and though the resolution is a standard 320 x 240, this makes it a little tricky to perform simple tasks such as writing long emails or viewing a full web page comfortably. It also means that using the stylus is a necessity rather than an optional extra.
There are only three hardware buttons on the device; a left soft key, right soft key and central button that doubles up as a four-way navigation button if you're not happy navigating using the touchscreen and stylus combination.
The HTC Touch 3G features a handy copy and paste function that you can use to paste part of a document into a new file, or into the search box on the browser.
The usual Microsoft Mobile suite of applications are preloaded on the device, enabling you to open and edit Word and Excel files and read PowerPoint presentations.
Excel Mobile isn't the most intuitive application for creating spreadsheets, mostly because the cells are too small, to enter text into, even though it is optimised for mobile and PowerPoint only enables you to view presentations rather than create them.
Using Word Mobile is straightforward enough with the option to create or read documents. Each document does save in docx format, so you may need to upgrade to the latest version of Word on your PC, or get a Microsoft docx plugin, if you're hoping to transfer the documents onto your computer.
RSS Hub enables you to set up RSS feeds for all your favourite websites, meaning you don't have to go online whenever you want to check the headlines. To set this up, you can either enter the address manually or search for a website. The application will then find the RSS URL address for that particular website. Whenever you access the RSS Hub, the most recent headlines will be automatically downloaded onto the device.
The HTC Touch 3G is a decent upgrade to the original HTC Touch, with HSDPA support (up to 7.2Mbps) and a faster processor that is certainly a welcome improvement.
The camera has also been given a boost, up to 3.2-megapixels, although it isn't in the same league as other smartphones with no autofocus or a flash.
Although the HTC Touch 3G doesn't feature the same bells and whistles as HTC's flagship devices such as the Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2, it's a decent effort by the Taiwanese manufacturer to get top business features on a budget phone.
There are a couple of snags, including the disadvantage that Windows Mobile is glaringly obvious, which will have some users turning up their noses, but at 280 SIM free (exc. VAT), it's a small price to pay for a seamless, inoffensive phone.
Verdict
The HTC Touch 3G may not be the most advanced device in HTC’s portfolio, but with a simple to use interface, plus high speed internet you could do a lot worse than picking up the budget option.
Connectivity: EDGE, GSM, GPRS, HSDPA, 802.11b/g Display: 2.8-inch 240 x 320 pixels Storage: 256MB, microSD card slot Camera: 3.2 Megapixel with auto-focus Talk time: 6hrs, 30mins Standby: 450 hours Dimensions: (WxDxH) 53.6 x 14.5 x 102 mm Weight: 96 g
