HTC Flyer review

HTC's first Android tablet is not only smaller and lighter than the iPad 2, it can be used with a pressure-sensitive stylus too. The Flyer didn't soar high in Julian Prokaza's affections though - read on to find out why.

IT Pro Verdict

The HTC Flyer is an interesting and largely successful attempt at a 7in Android tablet, but it needs Android 3.0 to unlock its potential. A better-suited operating system and a more responsive stylus won’t fix the bigger problem though - the Flyer really needs to cost less than the iPad 2, not more.

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The HTC Flyer's homescreen oriented horizontally

The Flyer uses Android 2.3.3 for smartphones, rather than the more tablet-friendly Android 3.0.

Two HTC Flyers are currently available a 16GB Wi-Fi only model for 384 ex VAT, and a 32GB Wi-Fi + 3G model for 480 ex VAT. Obviously, both are more expensive than the equivalent, and better-specified, iPad 2, which makes us wonder what HTC is hoping to achieve here. If the Flyer undercut the iPad, it might make a tempting alternative, but even when Android 3.0 does unlock its full tablet potential, it's currently far too expensive.

So what's our verdict?

Verdict

The HTC Flyer is an interesting and largely successful attempt at a 7in Android tablet, but it needs Android 3.0 to unlock its potential. A better-suited operating system and a more responsive stylus won’t fix the bigger problem though - the Flyer really needs to cost less than the iPad 2, not more.

Connectivity: GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900Mhz; 3G 900/AWS/2100MHz (3G model only) Display: 1,024 x 600 pixels, 7in OS: Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread Camera: five megapixels rear-facing, 1.3 megapixels forward-facing GPS: assisted GPS Processor: 1.5GHz single-core RAM: 1GB Bluetooth: 3.0 Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n Storage: 32GB internal Ports: microUSB Slots: microSDHC card Dimensions: 195 x 122 x 13 mm (WxDxH) Weight: 420g Battery: not disclosed BENCHMARKS Quadrant Standard 1952 SunSpider 2357 Battery life (H264) 16h30m

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