I’ve been using this device since late 2005. It is very reliable for a Windows Mobile 5.0 based device. It does require resets every few days and the battery runs down quickly when using Wifi or MP3’s, but the keyboard is large enough to allow fast typing. The Bluetooth works well. I’ve never tried to use 3G on it. I also no longer use it for MP3s since I’ve invested in a Creative Zen Xtra with a 160 gb hard disk.
The camera on this phone, like on most HTC manufactured devices, is pretty bad. The speakers on the phone are surprisingly good for their size, but it’s impossible to have any low frequency reproduction with such small speakers. I have played music on it in a quiet hotel room though.
I lost the original stylus. it appears the styluses get kind of worn out and fall out during use. I’ve lost 2-3 in the two years I’ve been using it. I now carry it in a bag to prevent losing another stylus. They’re about $10 US a pop, so I don’t really want to keep buying them.
Sometimes, the phone crashes when I receive a call or SMS. This sucks, because I can’t see who called me or SMS’d me. It’s important to reset your Windows Mobile devices often if you want them to keep running smoothly.
I bought it because I love having internet access on the move. The browser doesn’t allow some sites, but I use it for checking my Gmail and for participating on certain forums. I even used it to track my Ebay auctions. The non-volatile memory is a big improvement over the old HTC products. This means you don’t lose all your data if your battery dies. This was an issue with my TMobile branded O2 Mini. All O2 devices are manufactured by HTC, a company based in Taiwan. At present, I am hard pressed to find a device as powerful as the XDA Exec that has a large keyboard, but since purchasing a small laptop, I find the XDA Exec to only really be useful when taking public transportation. I have unlimited GPRS and Hong Kong’s subways allow GPRS access. The advantages inherent in portable internet access are substantial. I use it for directions and stuff when I’m lost, or even to look up words in online dictionaries.
Oh yeah, I left this phone on a ferry here in Hong Kong and got it back two days later. I won’t part with this device until I lose it or it falls apart. I truly love it. Interestingly, I got it back from a Punjabi guy. I was willing to give someone a cash reward, but the guy who gave it back didn’t want anything for it. :)