T-Mobile (manufactured by HTC) SDA (HTC Tornado) smartphone
T-Mobile (manufactured by HTC)

T-Mobile (manufactured by HTC) SDA (HTC Tornado)

February 2006 6/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The T-Mobile SDA, also known as the HTC Tornado, was an early Windows Mobile 5.0 smartphone released in February 2006. It aimed to combine phone capabilities with personal digital assistant (PDA) features, offering a 2.2-inch QVGA display, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and EDGE.
Display2.2-inch QVGA TFT 65K colors
ChipsetTexas Instruments OMAP 850
Main Camera1.3 MP
Battery1150 mAh Li-Ion

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💰 T-Mobile (manufactured by HTC) SDA (HTC Tornado) Price

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📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeTFT, 65K colors
Size2.2 inches
Resolution240 x 320 pixels (QVGA)

Platform

OSWindows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone
ChipsetTexas Instruments OMAP 850
CPU195 MHz

Memory

Card slotMini-SD (under battery)
Internal64MB RAM, 64MB ROM (approx. 20MB user available)

Main Camera

Single1.3 MP
FeaturesDigital zoom, Ambience settings, picture frames, color effects (grayscale, sepia, cool)
Video176x144 or 128x96 pixels, MPEG-4, H.263, MJPEG AVI format

Selfie Camera

SingleNone

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1150 mAh
Stand-byUp to 5 days
Talk timeUp to 11 hours (tested)

Body

Dimensions115.1 x 46.2 x 17.5 mm (4.53 x 1.82 x 0.69 inches)
Weight106 g (3.74 oz)
SIMMini-SIM

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11b
Bluetooth1.2 (supports headsets, carkits, DUN, handsfree, OBEX, HID profiles)
PositioningNo GPS
Infrared portYes
USBYes

Launch

AnnouncedFebruary 2006
StatusDiscontinued

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Sharp and vibrant display for its era
  • Excellent call quality
  • Impressively long battery life
  • Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for versatile connectivity
  • Windows Mobile 5.0 platform offered good productivity tools
  • Dedicated music control buttons

Cons

  • Small and cramped keypad, difficult for larger fingers
  • Tiny and tricky navigation joystick
  • Limited internal memory (only ~20MB available to user)
  • Mini-SD card slot inconveniently located under the battery
  • Below-average 1.3MP camera quality
  • No touchscreen functionality
★ Our Verdict

The T-Mobile SDA was a capable early smartphone with good connectivity and battery life, but its usability was hampered by a cramped keypad and joystick, alongside a basic camera.

The T-Mobile SDA was a pioneering Windows Mobile smartphone from 2006, offering a blend of phone and PDA functionalities with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. While it boasted a vibrant display and excellent call quality, its small keypad and joystick could be frustrating for daily use. The 1.3MP camera was basic, and internal storage was limited, necessitating a Mini-SD card. This device is now a vintage collector's item, primarily of interest to enthusiasts of early smartphones or Windows Mobile history. It is not suitable for modern communication needs due to outdated software, network compatibility, and lack of app support. If considering a purchase, evaluate its condition as a historical artifact rather than a functional phone.

Researched with AI assistance by infozme.com from manufacturer and retailer sources — see how we research & rate phones.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • T-Mobile SDA Handset
  • Battery
  • Charger
  • Stereo Earbud Headset
  • USB Sync Cable
  • User Manual

Standard manufacturer's warranty at the time of purchase (typically one year).

❓ Questions & Answers

What operating system did the T-Mobile SDA run?

The T-Mobile SDA ran on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone operating system.

When was the T-Mobile SDA released?

The T-Mobile SDA was officially released in February 2006.

Who manufactured the T-Mobile SDA?

The T-Mobile SDA was manufactured by HTC under the codename HTC Tornado, and then rebranded for T-Mobile.

Did the T-Mobile SDA have Wi-Fi?

Yes, the T-Mobile SDA featured integrated Wi-Fi 802.11b connectivity, which was a significant feature for its time.

What were the main drawbacks of the T-Mobile SDA?

Key drawbacks included a small and cramped keypad, a tiny and tricky joystick, limited internal memory, a poorly placed Mini-SD card slot, and a below-average camera.

Is the T-Mobile SDA still usable today?

No, the T-Mobile SDA is not suitable for modern communication needs due to its outdated software, limited network compatibility, and lack of current app support, making it primarily a collector's item for enthusiasts.