T-Mobile trotting out monster-spec MDA compact IV

by Chris Ziegler, posted Mar 3rd 2008 at 10:57PM

T-Mobile is unveiling its MDA compact IV at CeBIT this week, and despite its somewhat unassuming name, this one should command some serious attention. The HTC-sourced Windows Mobile 6 (possibly 6.1, if we're lucky) device sports full VGA resolution -- a feature that's still dismally uncommon on Western handsets -- along with a respectable 4GB of internal storage, 7.2Mbps HSDPA, quadband EDGE, Bluetooth, and WiFi; since it succeeds the Artemis-based MDA compact III, we'd reckon there's probably GPS in there, too. We'll try to catch this one in the wild as its being passed from hand to greedy hand around the T-Mobile booth in the next day or two, since it's the closest most of our American readers will ever get to it.

Filed under: Handsets, HTC, T-Mobile, Windows Mobile, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS

Tags: cebit, germany, htc, mda, mda compact iv, MdaCompactIv, t-mobile, windows mobile, WindowsMobile

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Lowest Ranked

aztekguy @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:04PM

cant wait...btw...FIRST POST!!

Neutral

eduardosuarez @ Mar 4th 2008 12:20AM

T-Mobile USA or Europe?
Looks like a Shadow 2, if for T-Mobile USA.

Highest Ranked

JAmerican @ Mar 4th 2008 2:19AM

I love it when Engadget blatantly does not specify US or Europe when its obvious the T-Mobile Europe is like a superstar and T-Mobile US is like a forgotten lost child.

JAmerican

Neutral

Mr.Kaiser @ Mar 4th 2008 12:33AM

Maybe T-Mobile should work on getting phones that they have ready out. Like the some new Blackberries.

Neutral

eduardosuarez @ Mar 4th 2008 12:38AM

8120 and 8830(i think) is what you're saying

Neutral

Mr.Kaiser @ Mar 4th 2008 12:40AM

yeah the 8120 and the 8820.

Neutral

Alex @ Mar 4th 2008 12:57AM

MDA Compact line is T-Mo Europe.
But that ultra-shiny design screams Shadow II.

Neutral

ManoloDF @ Mar 4th 2008 1:52AM

I wonder if this phone has UMA? Anyone care to start rumors?

Neutral

Dustin @ Mar 4th 2008 2:16AM

For those of you too lazy to click through the link:
UNVEILED: T-Mobile Germany announces the MDA compact IV

Not too much is known yet but T-Mobile has unveiled today that the German mobile operator will show its latest Windows Mobile Professional smartphone during this week's CeBIT. T-Mobile Germany calls it the "MDA compact IV" and according to Deutsche Telekom's press release, it will features a an exclusive T-Mobile design, HSDPA, a 3 megapixel autofocus camera, 4 GB internal memory and a VGA (640x480) touchscreen.

While T-Mobile hasn't unveiled a photo of the device yet, it can be expected that this is another Windows Mobile smartphone and Deutsche Telekom released this rendering (which clearly shows a Windows Mobile Standard smartphone rather than a Professional smartphone which the compact IV has to be if it features a touchscreen):

With a 24 months Relax 100 plan, the MDA compact IV will be available from May 2008 for 111 Euro.

UPDATE: Sources close to the company confirmed us that the new MDA compact IV is based on a new, yet unknown HTC Windows Mobile Professional smartphone which most likely runs on Windows Mobile 6.1. Other expected features are quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE and triband UMTS/HSDPA up to 7.2 Kbps, Bluetooth 2.0 and WiFi b/g. GPS support isn't confirmed yet.

Highest Ranked

PEZ @ Mar 4th 2008 6:58AM

Its not that people are too lazy, its just that most figured someone named DUSTIN would come along with wrecking ball CUT AND PASTE skills and use them for the greater good.

Neutral

jmferrt1 @ Mar 4th 2008 11:19AM

As Nick the Computer Guy from SNL would say: MOVE ! There, that wasn't so hard, was it?

Highly Ranked

Al @ Mar 4th 2008 2:54AM

I wonder if it has sufficient RAM

Neutral

PEZ @ Mar 4th 2008 6:58AM

I hope this SOB has the new Tmo bands they bid so much on last year. It also NEEDS GPS in order to be viable. And where the heck is the QWERTY? It needs one.

Neutral

Poonanny @ Mar 4th 2008 9:02AM

"...along with a respectable 4GB of internal storage, 7.2Mbps HSDPA, quadband EDGE, Bluetooth, and WiFi; since it succeeds the Artemis-based MDA compact III, we'd reckon there's probably GPS in there, too. "

IF THERE IS ANYONE INTELLIGENT AT TMOBILE LEFT....DO NOT LET IT USE A 200MHz EL'CHEAP'O PROCESSOR!!!!!

Neutral

Rich @ Mar 4th 2008 9:04AM

Will it come with video drivers?

Neutral

Jeff @ Mar 4th 2008 9:33AM

T-Mo can I PLEASE see a T-Mo US 3G WinMo device with these specs+a touch screen....I'm really about ready to go to the at&t deathstar!

Neutral

nm peters @ Mar 4th 2008 10:36AM

Well if this is now a VGA Device, perhaps we'll see the rumored Manilla interface that was revealed a while ago. If so without a doubt it'll have the proper video drivers.

The only disappointment for me will be if the Physical Screen size is still 2.8 inches. Something slightly bigger like 3-3.5...dare i say similar screen size to a certain touch screen phone...

...I was talking about LG Viewity of course.lol!

Neutral

nm peters @ Mar 4th 2008 12:24PM

Well check out these pics http://www.phonemag.com/t-mobile-mda-compact-iv-at-cebit-2008-031486.php

This looks ultra sexy! Flatter & wider. Maybe my wish will come true afterall.

can anyone who's seen this in the flesh give us a rough comparison in physically size?

Neutral

MBN @ Mar 4th 2008 3:55PM

Am I missing something? Does it have a slider, either numeric a la Shadow, or qwerty side slider? That would make my dreams come true.

Neutral

rhedgehog @ Mar 5th 2008 5:55AM

@MBN

I Doubt this will have a slide out keyboard as the MDA compact line in the EU has always been devices without a keyboard.

They tend to release the devices with a slide out keyboard under the MDA Vario brand.

With the shape of it and the flsuh touch screen, i still think it looks like a new variant of the Polaris. At least T-Mobile EU aren't removing the Wifi Hardware in this one, like they did from the Excalibur and the Artemis!

Neutral

Ysleiro @ Mar 5th 2008 10:26AM

Man this looks nice.

I want to see T-Mo spit out 3G already though.

Not only that but I'm hoping the Xperia can be bought with a plan?

That may be wishful thinking though? LOLz..