Pocket PC Phone Review: The HP IPAQ hw6915

PRICE: 460 GBP

REVIEW DATE: SEPTEMBER 2006

Pros: Very good connectivity combinations with build in wi-fi, GPS, Bluetooth and EDGE.
 
Cons: Slow 1.3 mega pixels camera.

RATING: 4 / 5 (Above Average - Recommended)

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Pocket PC Mobile Review: The HP iPAQ hw6915 (series 6900)

 Overview

The HP iPAQ hw6915 is the successor of hw6515. It is a candybar device with a better processor, same display (resolution and size) and better memory. It is a device suitable for those who want a powerful set of connectivity options (WI-FI, Bluetooth,GPS, GPRS,EDGE) and like the QWERTY keyboard on the front. It is not the smallest or fastest device around but overall it is a device that can satisfy the needs of its owner.

The HP iPAQ hw6915 is now available from sale directly from HP’s online shop. The device has been around for some months now in Europe and Asia. The hw6915 is powered by windows mobile 5. It is a pocket pc mobile (with phone functionality - QuadBand) and a PDA. It has build in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 1.2 and build in GPS. It supports EDGE and GPRS. The processor is an XScale at 416Mhz. The HP iPAQ hw6915 also has a camera at 1.3 mega pixels.

Design

The overall design of this iPAQ gives you a feeling that the device is solid and well built. The HP IPAQ hw6915 is the same size as its predecessor, the hw6515. (118mm x 71mm x 18mm). It has an overall design we are used to expect from HP. The 240x240 square display, the translucent plastic flip, and the QWERTY keyboard are the basic design characteristics of this, and other, HP Devices.  Although the device has an integrated QWERTY keyboard its dimensions are acceptable, despite the fact that there are similar ‘look alike’ devices around which are smaller and thinner (like the Motorola Q).

HP IPAQ hw6915:  118mm x 71mm x 18mm

Motorola Q: 116mm x 66mm x 12mm

In terms of weight the HP hw6915 is 179.45 g with battery while the Motorola Q is 122g.

From this comparison alone one can realize that you need to get used to the size and weight of this phone. If you used the HP IPAQ hw6915 then you will sense no difference but if you are used with a device like the i-mate JAM, JAMin or O2 Atom then you will need some time to get used to the size of hw6915. Nevertheless the size is not the only factor to decide for a pocket pc phone. Other factors must be taken into account especially performance, usability and connectivity. We will look at each of these factors below.

In terms of usability the HP IPAQ hw6915 has a clear advantage. The front facing QWERTY keyboard can be used to dial numbers, writing sms, and do your basic phone functionality tasks without using the stylus or the touch panel, simple, easy and convenient. Sometimes you may not even have to raise the flip since it is transparent and you can see through what you are doing. Speaking of the keyboard it worth while noting that visibility of the keyboard is improved (compared to hw6515) and you can now easily spot the number keypads while dialing.

Above the keyboard there is the 240x240 square display. The display is a touch screen with handwriting recognition features. The iPAQ 6915's screen is bright enough, with good contrast. The only disadvantage is that it does not adhere to the standard 320x240 display’s and some applications may not show as expected (will need vertical scrolling), but on the other hand it is great for writing SMS, viewing photos and videos.

On the right hand side you will find an SD Card slot, with the small power button sitting on the front right side, next to 2 flashing indicators. On the left there is the volume slider and camera button.

Connectivity

The Connectivity features of hw6915 are one of its greatest advantages. It offers Bluetooth, infrared, Wi-Fi (802.11b) and has a build in GPS Receiver. (It would be ever greater if the device had 3G supports).

The connectivity options of the hw6915 can easily be managed using the iPAQ wireless Manager, which by default is accessible on the today screen. There are notification icons for Bluetooth, WiFi, phone and the GPS. You can use the icons to activate or deactivate Bluetooth and wi-fi. The icons also display notifications about the status of each of the devices (on/off/receiving).  If you tap the Wireless panel's main icon you will be transferred to HP's iPAQ Wireless manager that shows the status for each connectivity feature. We connected the IPAQ to a LinkSys wireless network with no problems. The device connected right away with good reception. We also tried Bluetooth and infrared and had no problems at all.

GPS

There are not many devices around which include a build in GPS. Currently there is the ETEN, the MIO A701 and (upcoming) the BenQ P51, the HTC P3300 and the O2 XDA Orbit. (Visit our devices section for a complete list of pocket pc phones with build in GPS).

The device uses assisted GPS (GPRS is used to speed up the process) and it comes with a pre-installed GPS Navigation program. Of course you can install and use any GPS software you want. Overall the performance of IPAQ’s GPS is satisfactory with good reception and quick tracking. The disappointing is that if you plan to use GPS on a frequent basis (in you car for example) then you need to buy a car charger kit (not included) because battery will run out quickly.

Performance

The IPAQ carries an Intel processor running at 416MHZ. This gives the device a very good performance both in running applications and also playing videos. You may notice some delays when a switching between applications but in overall the performance is good. The processor is better compared to its predecessor hw6515, and in addition the RAM is also upgraded to 64MB increased from the previous 44MB.

Phone Features

iPAQ as a mobile phone features GSM/GPRS/EDGE . It is quad-band and the switching between the different GSM frequencies (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) is automatic. The phone offers services such as second call, call redirect and conference. The clarity and volume of the voice during calls is very good as well as the overall reception of the phone.
 
Another interesting feature of HP IPAQ hw6915 is the Profile Manager. This application allows you to create different profiles (set settings for backlight, ringing volume, power management, wireless activity etc). You can then switch between the profiles easily and quickly. For example you can create a ‘Home’ profile where the ring volume is high and a ‘work’ profile where the phone will be mute.

Software

The hw6915 is a windows mobile 5.0 device. As expected it includes the ‘usual suspect’ applications that ship with windows mobile 5.0. These include:
Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile, Messaging and Security Feature Pack, Outlook, Windows Media Player Mobile 10, Terminal Services, Pictures and Videos, Pocket MSN (Hotmail, MSN Messenger), File Explorer, Solitaire, Bubble Breaker, Calculator and support for secure certificates and VPN connections.

In addition the HP Bundle includes HP Photosmart Mobile image viewer,  iPAQ Wireless Manager with Today Screen plugin, Today Panel Lite, Modem Link, Pocket Streets 2006, Skype, Esmertec Java and  HP Navigation System (demo).

Camera

The camera is the same 1.3 mega pixel camera as the one used on the hw6515. It is quite noticeable that the time it takes to open the camera application is long. Besides that, the image quality is good for on-display images. It is exactly what to expect from a 1.3 mega pixels camera, not the best but not the worst either. You can use the camera for MMS messages and for taking pictures viewable on the pocket pc and PC but when they are print out the quality is not so good.

Battery Life

According to official HP figures, battery life has improved up to four hours of talk time and seven days standby time. Our usage of the device proved that talk time can extend up to 3 and half hours. Mind that if you have Bluetooth, wi-fi and especially GPS active all the time the battery will run out much quicker. As it is the case with almost every pocket pc mobile you will need to charge it every other night (moderate usage).

Conclusion:

The HP IPAQ hw6915 is a device that can satisfy the average and demanding pocket pc user. If you like the design of this phone with the square 240x240 display and the front side QWERTY keyboard then this IPAQ is one of the best choices. Unlike similar ‘look a like’ devices, the hw6915 has a powerful set of connectivity features with build in GPS and a reliable processor. The overall performance of the device is good and the price is within acceptable levels (remember you are buying a pocket pc, a mobile phone and a GPS all in one). Furthermore it is produced by one of the most powerful manufactures with history and knowledge in mobile computing, HP. We find it hard to imagine that this device will leave any of its users totally unhappy.

Check back soon for our HP IPAQ hw6915 image Gallery. More than 35 images of HP iPAQ hw6915!