T-Mobile Dash Black - Hands on

So I made it down to the T-Mobile store today to check out the new black  Dash (I had other stuff to do in the area as well, so its not like I blew time just to check out the newly painted Dash), and I must say, it does look quite dashing (ok, ok, I'm done) in the new black colour. Unfortunately, the lovely brushed aluminum front is gone, replaced by a solid feeling plastic, but in return, the keyboard feels better and more spaced out, even if the layout looks identical. And the blue number keys are pretty. The back is pretty much the same as before, which is good, since the rubbery backside feels great in hand.
 

Now, for the bad part. There is nothing in the way of hardware upgrades, absolutely nothing, not even a 2MP camera. Same old 200MHz TI OMAP850 processor, same paltry 64MB RAM, same 2.4" screen (not a bad thing), same EDGE/WiFi, same outdated 1.3MP camera. Only new things here are Windows Mobile 6.1, which is at least an upgrade over WinMo6, and the new colour scheme, which is also nice, but nothing really noteworthy to see here. No 3G, no new processor, no RAM upgrades, no better camera. So, while it is better than before, the new Dash isn't much as far as updates go. While the price hasn't changed from the previous $99 price (upgrade or new subscription), considering what you can get for around that price (BlackBerry 8120, 8320, and 8820 from T-Mobile, Moto Q9, BlackJack II, or refurb HTC Tilt from AT&T, etc) or slightly more (T-Mobile G1 for $180, iPhone 3G for $200), its pretty clear that the Dash will not cut it anymore, and needs to be replaced very soon with something significantly more competent. How about the HTC S740 as the new WinMo-based smartphone, to replace both the Dash and the similarly aging HTC-based Wing?

(PS, sorry for the poor pics, I didn't get a chance to preview the pictures before I left the store, and the lighting conditions were not nearly optimal. Also, my camera sucks and I need a DSLR.)

Comments

[Christopher]

And that's why I left T-Mo and went to AT&T. It just takes them too long to come out with new, enterprise-class phones. I'm in love with my Fuze and optimistic that my need for the latest hw/sw will be more fulfilled here.

[Vivek - The Technicist]

Fuze is in a far different class, but I see what you mean. T-Mobile gets far worse smartphone selection than AT&T or even Sprint/VZW, other than the G1. However, I'm gonna say that for normal (dumb?) phones and media/camera phones, T-Mobile has a decent selection, at least.

[issac]

i recently bought the the tmobile dash 2 black and it is awesome has great camera lense and is great in size and alot of great features. Recommend it to anyone.

[SenatorIvy]

Those who refer to the G1 as a smartphone really must not own one; I went from a Dash to a G1 and have regretted it ever since. No notes program, no support for common office-based tasks, and a slide-out keyboard like a damn Sidekick, so you can't easily type in anything on the fly.

The Dash is a great phone and I look forward to the Maple (or whatever they end up calling it when it comes out) Hopefully T-Mobile picks it up instead of letting another good phone slide like they did with the Cavalier.

Those who are on AT&T who really want a smart smartphone, the Samsung Epix is your real contender.

[Hilda Salazar]

I had a Dash since 2006 and decided to purchase a G1 like "everyone else". I have not enjoyed it as much. Just going into call log to erase one number, is not possible. It erases all the numbers. A call's recorded time is not spacific, instead it'll say 1 hour ago or a day ago. Nope! I am going back to a Dash, this time I am getting the black one that is out!

[Adrian]

Although a great phone (Just got it yesterday),it does not come with Windows Mobile 6.1,only 6.0......

[Atia]

Have they corrected the alarm system?