Microsoft Windows Phone 7 devices are already landing in stores overseas and are just around the corner from hitting the store shelves in the U.S. We are now seeing reviews surface across the web on the Samsung Focus, HTC Mozart, HTC Surround, and HTC HD7.
We will soon add our own reviews to the growing list but in the meantime, we thought we would offer up a little roundup of what others are saying about these new phones.
Ease on past the break to see what others are saying about the new Windows Phones.
Samsung Focus
Pocketnow.com: "From a hardware perspective, the Focus is a huge win. It's fast, has a beautiful screen, and it represents Windows Phone 7 very well. From a software perspective, Windows Phone 7 is truly a compelling mobile operating system."
Phonescoop.com: "The Samsung Focus is a wonderful piece of hardware. The screen is superlative, among the best I’ve used on a mobile phone, and the build quality and design are excellent. The phone sounds great during calls, gets good cell reception and snaps fine pictures. Battery life could be better, but it wasn’t the worst I’ve seen by a long shot."
Gizmodo: "If you're going to get a Windows Phone that isn't the HD7, this is the one to get, thanks to the display, if nothing else."
ZDnet: "The Samsung Focus reminds me a lot of a Galaxy S Android device with its large 4 inch Super AMOLED display, black glossy plastic finish, and sleek form factor. It is large, but thin enough that it still feels good in your hand and is easily pocketable."
HTC Surround
Engadget.com: "The Surround needed to bring a lot to the table in order to justify being bigger and heavier than the Samsung Focus while lacking the QWERTY keyboard of the LG Quantum, and we just don't think a pair of average speakers and a kickstand provides that justification -- especially since Windows Phone 7 doesn't take full advantage of either."
PhoneArena.com: "Its design isn't anything we've seen before, as we should expect from a company known for their intricate industrial designs, but the HTC Surround's design doesn't blatantly take away the focus from the real star of the show; Windows Phone 7. Still, it's nice to see a wonderfully crafted device radiate a stunning and quality design that will easily attract some people to its uniqueness."
Slashgear: "The HTC Surround is a solid Windows Phone 7 option, but its fellow AT&T handset, the Samsung Focus, outclasses it with its 4-inch Super AMOLED display. In contrast, the Surround’s unique feature, its slide-out speaker, falls short both on usability and performance."
HTC HD7
Engadget.com: "The build quality is a step below the finest we've seen, landing the HD7 in the "passable" category, while the display may achieve a high level of brightness, but it goes to waste thanks to its poor contrast and viewing angles."
RegHardware.com: "The HTC HD7 with Windows Phone 7 - available in the UK exclusively on O2 - may not be the game changer that its creators would have hoped for, but it's a powerful, capable device with an OS that stands up well against the competition, and offers a strong range of multimedia capabilities."
HTC Mozart
WindowsPhoneThoughts: "The Mozart is by no means perfect. HTC clearly could have given the camera more attention. More storage space beyond the included 8 GB would have been nice, too. But all things considered, there's no denying that this is one gorgeous device, and it's one that I wouldn't hesitate in recommending.
An interesting observation on the Mozart is that while it's a European and Australian release, the Australian version (sold through Telstra) is compatible with U.S. 3G bands. I wonder if anyone will import them to the U.S.?
