First impressions of the Sprint HTC Touch Diamond

I've had my ups and downs with the early GSM version of the HTC Touch Diamond, but the current ROM is rocking along and performing well. However, it doesn't yet support 3G in the U.S. and is not carried by any carrier. Sprint just announced that the HTC Touch Diamond will be coming later in September with the Touch Pro in October. I was sent an evaluation unit for a couple of weeks and shot a short video to show off some aspects of this newest version of the HTC Touch Diamond. I'll follow up within 2 weeks with some further thoughts and an image gallery of the device.

The Sprint HTC Touch Diamond is very similar to the GSM variant I tested out and the specifications include:

• EV-DO Rev. A/CDMA radio
• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
• Qualcomm MSM7501A 528 MHz
• Integrated GPS/A-GPS reciever
• 802.11 b/g WiFi
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• 2.8 inch VGA (640x480 pixels) touch screen display
• 256MB internal flash ROM memory and 288MB RAM to run applications (less actually available to use)
• 4GB internal flash drive for storage
• 3.2 megapixel camera with no flash
• Stereo FM radio receiver with RDS
• Proprietary HTC ExtUSB headset jack (also used for charging and USB 2.0 connectivity)
• 1340 mAh battery

Dimensions:
• Weight: 4.1 ounces
• Length: 4.0 inches
• Width: 2.00 inches
• Thickness: 0.6 inch

Differences between the GSM version and this new Sprint version include the missing front video conferencing camera on the Sprint model, the new soft-touch back and more rounded edges on the Sprint version, several Sprint services/utilities, larger battery on the Sprint model (1340 mAh vs 900 mAh) that makes the device a bit thicker too, and colored stylus. The Sprint box is a more traditional square box while the Diamond I checked out had a cool pyramid-like shape and design.

I think overall the Sprint version offers some good improvements (larger battery is major) over the previous model and if you are a Sprint customer this looks like a great device to pick up at a fairly reasonable US$249.99. If you are like me and want a physical keyboard, then the Touch Pro should be out in a month or so for US$299.99. I am still waiting to see the Touch Pro in 3G GSM in the U.S. before I pick one up for myself.