We have yet again managed to acquire a not-yet-released handset - after Asus P552W -, our subject this time is an HTC handset, Viva, that has once been known as Opal. Meanwhile it has turned out that Opal has been the internal codename, and we should note that this name-change has been required as we're talking about a quite basic phone and so the name that comes from the greek opalios and ancient indian upala (jewel) words doesn't really match it.
Viva is in fact a Touch. Probably not many of you understand this, but it really is, it weighs 2 grams less, it's a bit larger, but they are the same on the inside. I don't know why is HTC planning to launch such a handset, but it's sure that they won't put a large price-tag on it - it's end-user price is theoretically expected to be around €270 - €290 EUR, so it will be the cheapest handset from the manufacturer.
The one I have for testing has the final version of hardware, but it doesn't yet have TouchFLO, so I have to wait with the full review until the next ROM arrives - theoretically I should get the final software next week, so you should expect the review by then. First let's see the handset's specs:
- Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system
- Size: 59 x 104.5 x 15.75 mm, 110 grams
- Quad-band GSM module, GPRS, EDGE support
- 2.8" diagonal, QVGA resolution touchscreen
- 200 MHz TI OMAP 850 CPU
- 128 MB RAM / 256 MB ROM (75 / 138 MB free)
- 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, HTC ExtUSB 2.0
- 2 megapixel camera with fix focus, 1100 mAh battery
These are the kind of specs that don't really shock us, I mean the 200 MHz TI OMAP CPU is a nightmare in terms of speed. I can only hope that TouchFLO will run at an appropriate speed. Oh yeah, about speed: the handset isn't really slow during use, the software seems quite well optimized. Let's see the inevitable speed tests/benchmarks:
| Pocket PC Mark v1.03 | VsBenchmark 2007 | ||
| Dhrystone Benchmark (CPU) | 67,49 | Graphics | 937 |
| Whetstone Benchmark (CPU) | 2,51 | Others | 1171 |
| Memory Benchmark | 379,6 | JPEG | 888 |
| File system Benchmark | 381,92 | Games | 958 |
| Storage Cards | - | Sound | 1283 |
| Graphics Benchmark | 98,25 | Final | 1047 |
As you can see the handset is no speed champion, only the file system results are somewhat better, all other parts are very slow. I don't expect any significant speed boost from the new software, as these results are due to hardware limitations. Still, we shouldn't disconsider the handset as it will provide what we should expect for this money. The materials used are nothing exceptional, I have liked the original Touch much better from this point of view, as Viva is made of hard, slippery plastics that seem very fragile and collect fingerprints. The joints, however, are perfect, only the buttons have some play, but nothing serious.
Until the review next week I'm waiting for your questions in the forum, and until then here are some images to feast you eyes on:
Translated by Szaszati
