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I was given the privilege by my client to actually use this phone as I was planning an upcoming campaign for them. I needed some inspiration and by that, I needed to know how this phone works and also experience using the phone…but actually…those are just excuses…hehe.

Anyway, I’m not going to write an in depth phone review, but instead just tell you how is it like using the phone after a full week.

First Impression:
At first glance, the phone looks like the white Blackberry. Take a closer look and it’s more like a cross between a Blackberry Torch and a Blackberry Bold where the screen is actually a touch screen (without a slider) that comes with a QWERTY keypad. It’s slightly curved and very slim, and if you put it into your jeans pocket, you hardly can tell it’s there.

HTC ChaCha

Back and side views

At first, I thought the phone seemed like another chic phone, you know…like the type of phone Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf would be using. But after using it for a week, I must say, it’s a pretty darn good device. It’s the sort of device you want to have if you absolutely have to stay connected at all times (like me!).

The main feature of the phone is the Facebook button found on the bottom of the phone. This button allows you to share anything from photos, music and links as well as update your Facebook wall all with a single push. You only have to configure your Facebook account once, and you’re set to go. You don’t need to download an application, open and re-login to Facebook to update and share. So far, I have not come across a phone which does the same in the market, and I must say, it’s a pretty darn good feature to have on any phone.

Just the other day, as I was browsing the web using the phone, I came across an interesting article which I wanted to share on Facebook. All I did was just pressed the Facebook button and ..presto..the link of that website is copied straight to my wall ready to be posted.

The magic Facebook button

Functionality:
As I highlighted, this is the sort of phone you would want if you want to stay connected at all times. By that, I mean they have a whole bunch of pre-installed apps like Twitter, Facebook, Plurk and Google just to name a few. It runs on Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread), meaning you can download a whole bunch of apps via the Android Market.

Twitter and Facebook on the HTC ChaCha

Another good thing on the phone is that it comes with a 5 megapixel rear camera with LED flash accompanied by VGA front-facing camera. Meaning you can make video calls with the front-facing camera. Oh…there is an application call “Mirror” on the phone…it basically makes your screen become….well..a mirror by using the front-facing camera. Let me be the first to tell you that although it’s only 5MP, the pictures that the camera produces are very crisp and clear.

Using the camera

These 2 pictures below were taken using the HTC ChaCha. Notice the sharpness and clarity..

Dislikes:
Well, like with everything else, there are also stuff that I don’t like about the phone. Mainly is the size of the touch screen. Having larger fingers as compared to a lady, I sometimes have the tendency to accidentally click on links or icons which are not intended.

Another thing that is bad is the ringer volume. Even at maximum level, the notifications for messages and even ringtones to some extend seems too soft to be heard even in normal room conditions where the television is on.

Another warning is do make sure that you’re on a data plan with your service provider as this phone is constantly downloading data from the likes of Twitter and Facebook. I’m not currently on a data plan, so I normally switch off data services when not in use.

Overall:
Apart from the “dislikes” above, I think the phone is absolutely great. Remember, it’s not the sort of phone you want to get if you’re a serious business user who needs serious stuff like word processing and spreadsheet kind of applications. This is a phone for fun, for the light-hearted and those who are socially active on the internet space. Would I get it?…well honestly? I’m seriously considering one.

More information and specifications:
Product Overview
Specifications