Hands on: Dell Venue Pro review

Dell Venue Pro
We grabbed a few minutes with Dell's new Windows Phone 7 handset

Dell would hardly have been top of everybody's wish list when potential Windows Phone 7 handset manufacturers were first touted, but the oddly-named Venue Pro will nevertheless get a UK release date before Christmas.

The handset is already being offered for pre order through Expansys for £439.99 and expect it to be available from Dell as well as a handset partner. The handset seen here (snatched directly from the claws of a Dell representative) has T-Mobile branding.

Hands on: dell venue pro review

The handset doesn't feel overweight, but it does feel extremely robust. The Dell Streak may be a more consumer-orientated handset (if you can call it a handset) but the Venue Pro has the demure look and feel of a business phone.

It's about 15mm thick and measures around 120 x 65mm.

Hands on: dell venue pro review

The handset has the familiar Windows Phone 7 spec: 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 8250 processor alongside a five-megapixel camera with digital zoom, geotagging and touch-focus and 800 x 480 4.1-inch OLED touchscreen.

Hands on: dell venue pro review

As you may be able to see from our hasty pics, the screen has a rather odd curvature to it. It certainly makes the phone stand out from the crowd.

Hands on: dell venue pro review

There's a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and, though it seemed responsive, we weren't thoroughly impressed by it – we'll reserve judgement on this until our full review, though. While phone keyboards are usually difficult to get used to, the fact remains you do get used to them eventually.

Hands on: dell venue pro review

The rear of the device is characterised by a checkered finish, camera/flash, and the Windows Phone and stand-out Dell branding.

Hands on: dell venue pro review

Hands on: dell venue pro review

There's also AGPS, accelerometer, digital compass and a proximity sensor.

Hands on: dell venue pro review

Contributor

Dan (Twitter, Google+) is TechRadar's Former Deputy Editor and is now in charge at our sister site T3.com. Covering all things computing, internet and mobile he's a seasoned regular at major tech shows such as CES, IFA and Mobile World Congress. Dan has also been a tech expert for many outlets including BBC Radio 4, 5Live and the World Service, The Sun and ITV News.