T-Mobile's MDA Vario II is similar to the HTC TyTN that we reviewed back in July. In fact, it is produced by HTC, to T-Mobile's own design specifications.
The MDA Vario II costs a lot less than the TyTN because it is available on a contract -- you can get it for free depending on the contract you choose.
There is also a version of this device available from Orange, as the SPV M3100, but the MDA Vario II has something neither HTC's nor Orange's versions can boast -- live HSDPA. That means mobile Internet at speeds of up to 1.8Mbps.
Design
The MDA Vario II is not exactly a small handheld, but it doesn't take up a lot of room on the desk -- it measures only 58mm by 113mm. It will, however, take up space in your pocket as it's 22mm deep. At 176g you are going to notice its weight, too.
The reason for these slightly portly dimensions is the slide-out keyboard. This is also one of two features (the other being the HSDPA support) that make the MDA Vario II one of the best smart phones on the market, if you are into mobile data.
The keyboard slides out from the left edge of the casing and offers a full set of Qwerty keys, as well as two buttons that map onto the Windows Mobile softmenus and an embedded number pad. There are also a couple of other controls for easy access to some Windows Mobile features.
We found it easy to hold the MDA Vario II in both hands and its large keys allowed us to use the keyboard with our thumbs at a healthy speed. The keyboard size is one of two benefits of this 'sideways on' keyboard. The other is that the screen switches automatically to its wider (landscape) format when you slide the keyboard out, so text is shown in a display closer in format to that of a laptop or desktop computer.
Jog-wheels seem to be making a return to handhelds at the moment, and with the keyboard hidden away and the MDA Vario II in the hand in standard tall PDA format, there is one on the left edge which falls neatly under the thumb. An OK button is immediately below it, and there's a button for using voice speed dialling and the built-in recorder (depending on whether you give it a long press or a short one).
Windows Mobile Pocket PCs usually have a few front buttons for quick access to features. There are no fewer than eight on the front of the MDA Vario II, and that's not counting the navigation button and its central select key. Two of these, above the screen, take you to the Windows Mobile messaging software and to T-Mobile's Web'n'walk home screen. Under the screen are Call and End buttons, soft menu buttons, and two that pull down the Start list and act as an OK button. Between them and the touch screen you can do things quickly and easily.
We quite like the colour scheme. The front is slate grey, the back black. In between these a swatch of plum goes most of the way around the edge. It's not the most exciting aspect of this handheld, but it is distinctive.
Features
The MDA Vario II is a quad-band, 3G handset with a front-facing camera for making video calls. 3G means fast Internet access, and T-Mobile takes this a step further with HSDPA, which is essentially a software upgrade to 3G. Where it is in place, you can get data speeds of up to 1.8Mbps -- that's faster than some people will have on their home broadband connection.
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User reviews7
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Bill Best 1 July 2007
Good: Top end smart phone has all the features required
Bad: Wirless Modem is a disaster
Comment: Its a good top end smart phone. One small gripe is the manual talks about functions not present on the phone (like GPRS monitor) and it's impossible to disable active synch which is really annoying. However my big gripe is that the wireless modem function is impossible to enable. The manual says disable active synch and IRa first but the device lets you do neither! Its a shame T-Mobile can't write a manual that aligns wiht the device they brand and sell directly. Other than the wireless modem it's a good phone but as this is a critical requirement for me I'm feeling rather fed up!!!
Taruna Taruna 19 February 2007
Good: Performance and design
Bad: Bottom keypad
Comment: It's a wondeful PDA... a combination of powerful and beautiful.
Ceri Beynon 24 January 2007
Good: Keyboard, HSDPA, connectivity, ergonomic, well built, very stable, not too big
Bad: Struggling to think... battery life
Comment: Without doubt the best handheld device I've owned.
Keyboard is superb for texting and emailing, being a Windows device it's very flexible, connectivity is second to none, easy to set up multiple email accounts, and the introduction of the jog-wheel is a surprising master stroke.
But it's the HSDPA that really makes a difference. In an area with a good 3G signal I regularly get speeds over 1Mbps. In fact I just did a speed test and hit 1.4Mbps. For a mobile device that is spectacular. The end result is Internet browsing is an absolute joy, and I'll confess that's what I really got this device for. I'm not disappointed.
Also, I've had the device for over 2 months now and it hasn't crashed yet. That is pretty stable.
The only "negative" is you'll be charging every evening if you use the device a lot during the day, but that's not really a major hardship.
Nothing is perfect, which is why I gave a 9, but with this device I never feel isolated wherever I am, and it's a very useful tool to carry around. I can do whatever I want wherever I am, and that makes a big difference to me.
Superb.
See all 7 user reviews