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T-Mobile Dash Cell Phone Review - Tour & Design

Alfredo Padilla Published on March 22, 2007 Comment on this

Intro Making/Receiving Calls Software Other Features

Tour & Design Messaging Battery Life Value & Comparisons

Audio Quality Organizer Connectivity Conclusion

Imaging Multimedia Hardware Ratings & Specs

Front Closed
The front of the Dash is dominated by two features: the keyboard and the screen. The keyboard is pretty large, especially considering the small dimensions of the phone itself; at 2.2 inches wide, it is smaller than the keyboard of the Q. Just below the keyboard is a small hole for the microphone, and above the keyboard are the control keys. From left to right we have answer, the home key and left soft key, the directional pad (with a button in the center), the back key and right soft key, then the hangup key on the far right. That’s a pretty standard set of keys for a Windows Mobile based device. Above these keys is a T-Mobile logo, and the screen, which measures 1.9 by 1.5 inches. To the right of the screen are the two small volume touch controls, and above this is the small speaker outlet.

Left
The only major feature on the thin left side of the Dash is the power button, located at the top of the case. This is slightly recessed, but it is still possible to accidentally press it. Fortunately, you have to hold it in for a couple of seconds to activate it and turn the dash on or off, so that’s not likely to happen accidentally.

Top
The top of the Dash has no major features: there are no major ports or sockets. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the camera on the back of the camera.

Bottom
The bottom is home to the combination USB data, charger and headphone port, which is protected by a small, rubberized cover. This has a square hole in it that acts as a second port for the microphone.

Right
The right side of the camera is another space that doesn’t have many features. You could argue that, because the two touch volume controls are on an angled panel, they are on the right side, but if you do, you’re probably the sort of person who gets into fights at parties over if a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. Anyway, there isn’t much on the right side, which is probably as good thing as the thin profile doesn’t leave much room for buttons.

Back
On the back of the Dash we have the camera; the small black circle in the top left corner. Next to this is a mirrored button that helps you compose self-portraits, and a set of small vents provide space for the speaker to breathe. Below this is the panel that covers the battery, SIM and memory card compartment.

Battery Out
The Dash comes with a 960mAh lithium ion battery. Above this is the SIM card slot, and on the right of the battery compartment is the Micro SD card slot. You don’t need to remove the battery to install or remove a Micro SD card, but you do need to take the battery compartment cover off.

In the Box (4.5)

The Dash comes with a charger, a headset, usb cable, a basic manual and a CD containing Microsoft’s ActiveSync software.

Handling (7.5)
The T-Mobile Dash sits comfortably in the palm of your hand. The soft touch paint found on the phone gives you a good grip and makes it unlikely that it will be easily dropped. The phone controls are placed beneath the screen in a comfortable position for your thumb to access them. The Dash is relatively small and light for a smart phone and won’t weight you down as much as a Treo or the Cingular 8525. We found it slightly easier to handle than the Motorola Q because of the soft touch paint.

Portability (8.0)
The T-Mobile Dash measures 4.4” x 2.5” x 0.5” and weighs in at 4.2 ounces. This is similar in terms of height and width to the Treo 750, but is significantly thinner and lighter. The Dash will slip easily into most pockets or hand bags and only weighs a little more than a small cell phone like the Motorola v3m. One of the benefits of the new slimmer design of smart phones like the Motorola Q, Samsung Blackjack and the Dash is improved portability and we were not disappointed by the Dash in this department.

Aesthetic (7.0)
From an aesthetic point of view the Dash is a mixed bag. The black soft touch paint and slim profile make for a good looking handset, but the silver accents on the front of the device are a little strange. Overall we found the Dash to be a very professional looking handset that you won’t be embarrassed to carry around, but it’s no Dolce & Gabbana Razr.

Durability (8.0)
The T-Mobile Dash feels like a very durable handset. It gave off no creaks during use and we like the fact that there are no moving parts. We also like the soft touch paint which doesn’t scratch easily. Our only concern is that the battery casing did not seem to lock in completely, leaving a small gap at the top. With no latch it could wear out easier than one with a latch. As with any device with a large screen we recommend you get a screen protector to keep it from being scratched. Overall we found the Dash to be well constructed; it wasn't quite as solid as the Blackberry, but it is a well built phone that should stand up to use.

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