Sensor bug affects early HTC Windows Phone 7 handsets

HTC's HD7 Windows Phone 7 handset appears to be suffering from proximity sensor issues, at least in units that have been distributed with non-final firmware.

O2 gave out HD7s on Monday at an event associated with Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 launch. In a unit given to ZDNet UK, the screen sometimes remained activated while calls were being made, resulting in calls occasionally being hung up or put on hold accidentally. This behaviour should be obviated by a correctly-functioning proximity sensor, which deactivates the screen when it is being held to the side of the user's head.

ZDNet UK understands from a source within HTC that a proximity sensor bug is one of several the company hopes to fix ahead of its Windows Phone 7 handsets' commercial availability on 21 October. The issue is not unique to these phones, as the iPhone 4 also experienced proximity sensor issues at launch.

A final ROM will be sent out to operators later this week, a representative for HTC said on Tuesday, although she did not know whether there was a proximity sensor issue and, if there was, whether that bug is being addressed in the update.