Dell Streak review: Size does matter

05 November 2010
The Dell Streak has crossed the line where phones stop – and by some distance too – but we are still not completely convinced it’s beyond the point where tablets start. Is the Dell Streak sitting on a fence or sitting right in the middle of nowhere...

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • PEN
  • 06 Nov 2010

an Android User, 06 Nov 2010It is nearly end of 2010 and still using Donut? What a joke... moreU can say that 1.6 is an old software but it has a lot of good points to it. Comparing to 2.1...it consumes less batt power. The lagginess is about the same and certaianly 2.1 is able to use more apps...however both 1.6 amd 2.1 dun support flash for browser....im curre ntly using the asian dell streak atm and i find it really good....my local distributer has the 2.1 update-1 but im not really interested in it atm....im iust hoping that the official 2.2 will be available for ho ng kong OTA update but i doubt it...sigh....

    • H
    • Human
    • IaW
    • 06 Nov 2010

    fxtweets83, 06 Nov 2010I only have a Wireless G speed modem at home so I don't kno... moreThx for your reply. I also doubt about the question cz so far Dell Specs there didnt write got 'N' but suddenly pop out in review. I think it is just some error or typo in the review part...

      • f
      • fxtweets83
      • P$V
      • 06 Nov 2010

      Human, 06 Nov 2010Then what are the type of WIFI it support? I mean does it h... moreI only have a Wireless G speed modem at home so I don't know if it's supports Wireless N, but I doubt it.

        • S
        • Srinu
        • vG%
        • 06 Nov 2010

        Dell streak already had a 2.1 official update. We are waiting for 2.2 update by the end of this month.

          • a
          • an Android User
          • wr4
          • 06 Nov 2010

          It is nearly end of 2010 and still using Donut? What a joke. What's the point of good hardware if it using a old software.

            • H
            • Human
            • PUA
            • 06 Nov 2010

            fxtweets83, 06 Nov 2010Just one correction to your review: The Streak does come w... moreThen what are the type of WIFI it support? I mean does it have ''n'' also?

              • f
              • fxtweets83
              • yVg
              • 06 Nov 2010

              Just one correction to your review:
              The Streak does come with 2GB internal memory, 1.5GB of which you can use to install apps. Then you have the 16GB MicroSD card as extra memory to store music, videos or install apps once Froyo is released.

              On a personal level, your opinions on the screen quality are much different to mine. I work with phones everyday so I do look at iPhones daily. While the screen on the Streak isn't as dynamic as the iPhone 4 or Galaxy S, it's still a nice looking screen for what I use it for.

              Also, I have found sunlight use to be miles ahead of any other touch screen phone I have used including the HD2 and Desire. I can clearly read text on a website while holding the phone in direct sunlight.

              Battery life has also been better for me than my previous Desire, I can know comfortably get through a day without recharging.

              Size is a personal thing, but I don't mind it. I do realise that I would be in the minority on this issue though.

                • d
                • dell streak
                • pKj
                • 06 Nov 2010

                my dell streak is on official dell android 2.1 & it works fine
                theres even unofficial builds of android 2.2 about

                  • R
                  • Rahul Kadukar
                  • 2@X
                  • 06 Nov 2010

                  Next time try to get your facts right before posting

                  1. You review the device 5 months after release.
                  2. It does have FM Radio
                  3. It does have USB Host functionality
                  4. It has a front facing camera which not many Android phones have including Desire HD.
                  5. I am using Froyo on the Streak and it is fast and really fast.
                  6. With Eclair it supports 720p HD recording.
                  7. Screen quality is brilliant maybe not Samsung Galaxy S type or IPhone4 type but it is not bad at all.
                  8. Heard of Gorilla Glass ?
                  9. Landscape / Portrait mode does work.

                  I would like to conclude with this, next time review the hardware and most of these flaws that you have mentioned have to do with Donut (Dell is retarded) but try reviewing the device with Froyo and then you will understand what you are holding in your hands is more than just a phone.

                    • f
                    • fonebox.com
                    • pwf
                    • 06 Nov 2010

                    This review is of a product that has been out almost a year! Therefore you cannot compare it to the Galaxy Tab or Desire HD! Secondly, having spent months evaluating the Streak, the browser is excellent and the screen bright, responsive and tough. Thirdly, it is NOT too large, The Streak is very slim and slips into any pocket. Yes, the Streak is obsolete today, but if you had reviewed it soon after launch, it would have blown most other devices out the water. The only real negative is Dell's capitualation to Microsoft by intentionally delaying the Froyo upgrade to give WP7 a chance.

                      • H
                      • Human
                      • PUA
                      • 06 Nov 2010

                      ezekiel zick, 06 Nov 2010H0pe n0kia wud als0 make a ph0ne that has a 5" screen.... moreI hope they dont do it. 5' but on their fancy nHD screen resolution is purely a fail...

                      BTW, i think the review list out something wrong.
                      Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n?
                      Why suddenly pop out a ''n''?

                        • M
                        • Michael
                        • IaH
                        • 06 Nov 2010

                        I bought a Streak around about a month ago, and I've so far been quite happy with it. Granted, I use my phone more for internet access on the go than for calls. I find the size quite manageable - a little large for a phone, but small enough for using to make calls; imagine holding a Galaxy Tab to the side of your head. The larger screen size makes it good for web browsing, and I honestly don't know what the reviewer is talking about, saying it's low quality. I find it to be quite good, better than my previous two, the Backflip and i7500 Galaxy. The only real disappointing thing about the Streak so far, for me, has been the flash, which is fairly awful. The built in image editing goes some way to making up for this though, being able to adjust contrast, brightness and colour balance.

                          • s
                          • ssj
                          • uNV
                          • 06 Nov 2010

                          5" tablet? Not that bad. I think it would fit your hand properly to type in QWERTY unlike ipad. But as a phone 5" display is oversized to hold or to keep in pocket. In my opinion 3.2-3.5" displays are standane for a phone and a for a decent web browsing. And wait! What did they say? There's no flash? Why did they build this shit and named tablet? Hmmm?
                          and android 1.6? Ha ha ha! Outta list.

                            • S
                            • Sam
                            • YQA
                            • 06 Nov 2010

                            What is the size of that hand...? In reviews every phone on that hand looks so small..! Please also use ladies hands to show its size. Instead of single.. :) :)

                              • K
                              • Kean
                              • tVX
                              • 06 Nov 2010

                              I find 5" screen is perfect for mobile internet. I have an aigo MID and a motorola milestone xt720 but I prefer to use my aigo for surfing. The screen size is good enough for that. Watching video and reading books are a Joy. Its not heavy so its perfect. 7" or 9" screen just won't do. Imagine using swipe or slideIT in portrait mode with that size. Not convenient imho. I would buy the streak if it comes with froyo. 5" is perfect for total mobility!

                                • C
                                • Craigy33
                                • syb
                                • 06 Nov 2010

                                Nice and good review, certainly needed for people considering to buy the Streak.

                                I recently got a Dell Streak here in Australia and I used it for 2 weeks before passing it onto a family member. It comes down to peoples needs and comfort I say. The reason I decided not to continue to use it was because I found it hard to use as a mobile and a tablet all in one device. I got it as I was considering buying an iPad first but wanted to try this option out first.

                                It does suck a lot of battery life specially if you are a heavy user. It's a very slim tablet/mobile and I found the touch sensitivity as good as iPhones touch. It's quick and responsive and easy to navigate. It was the first time that i've used the Android platform too so I don't really know the difference between the 1.6 version to the 2.2version coming out.

                                I found it fit perfectly into most pocket pants but it is just to big in the pocket and brings a lot of stares and people just wondering just what is that in your pants ;-) It also felt a little weird walking with it bouncing around in your pocket.

                                To me the streak in my life was like this review, I just didn't know where it fit, whether it be mobile or a tablet and I think with tablets they're more made to be put in your bag then a pants pocket.

                                I decided to stick to my iPhone 4 and I ended up buying the iPad and found by have two separate products, a mobile and a tablet that they fitted best in my life.

                                So at the end of the day, you need to find out where this device will fit in your life and suit your everyday needs. I like the Dell Streak, it just didn't fit in my life :-)

                                  • C
                                  • C64c
                                  • mHH
                                  • 06 Nov 2010

                                  Why's it taken you guys so long to review this!??!?

                                    • J
                                    • Jef
                                    • n{%
                                    • 06 Nov 2010

                                    LOL, I'm so glad we have people reviewing those tablets.
                                    It looks like it isn't even worth to buy.

                                      • e
                                      • ezekiel zick
                                      • t7X
                                      • 06 Nov 2010

                                      H0pe n0kia wud als0 make a ph0ne that has a 5" screen.. Hehe... Anywiez.., diz ph0ne iz kinda FuNny... 0r is it..??? But i Like the way it L0oks.. Tehehehe..!

                                        • A
                                        • Andry
                                        • tDM
                                        • 06 Nov 2010

                                        thanks, i'v been waiting for this review.