HTC Flyer review: conclusion
Friday, June 17, 2011 at 2:59AM
Available from Clove for £562.80
In the five days I have been using the HTC Flyer, I have spent more time with it than most smartphones I have reviewed over the past year. This wasn’t deliberate at all, but I found myself wanting to use it. Whether it was to have a quick browse, send some emails or anything else, I just wanted to pick the Flyer up and play with it.
I hadn’t experienced this with a tablet before, but I was dragged back to it time and time again. Note-taking in particular became the uppermost use for me and I have already collected a substantial set of notes which have been automatically synchronised to Evernote. That may not sound brilliant when the price of the tablet is considered, but as I have said a few times this week the solution works better than any other I have tried.
HTC smartphones tend to follow the crowd and add some features that are slightly different to others, but in the case the Flyer is different in many ways to the ever growing raft of tablets entering the market. The Magic Pen is the stand-out feature, but that should not detract from the build quality, the speed and the form factor which all come together to make my favourite tablet so far.
I don’t know why it is my favourite, but I believe it to be a combination of many factors and the smaller inclusions that make it different to the rest. The pen input, surround sound, size and build and almost everything else about the Flyer make it a hugely likeable product and one which enables me to accept the lower than average battery life and non-tablet OS.
You cannot judge a product by specific features and how they all perform. The final view has to be derived from the experience of using it and the Flyer feels right in so many ways to me. Just maybe it has made me realise that a tablet does have a place in my life after all.
Reader Comments (13)
An update for the firmware of the Flyer is available OTA to improve general performance.
I handled one the other day at Dixons in airport.
Much easier to handle than the 10 inchers.
No wifi at the shop so couldn't check my favorite web sites to see if it is OK.
Also NO duty free - why in an airport???
Shaun, you indicated that the battery wasn't so great. I don't remember you giving us that info before. Can you remind me please?
Off to Singapore soon and they have the Flyer but also not cheap.
About $60 more than UK without VAT.
Singapore has gone to VAT some few years ago - only a few percent but for us travelers it make a difference.
I don't think it was mentioned in your review, can you use the Flyer as a phone?
Big I know but it would be good to know.
@Shofar, you can't use it as a phone but it can receive/send text messages. But don't know what will happen when we have Honeycomb. Also note that only Euro Flyers definitely come with the Magic pen and White leather pouch. I get over 4 hours battery life, but probbaly less than 6 (but I don't watch videos).
I sent my review machine back today. Considering ordering one straight away- I really do miss it.
I can't recommend enough using a matte screen protector. The one I use is more matte thna clear but hand writing input is improved a lot. It is called Greatshield from Amazon, its not easy to apply.
I have a ton of freelance work to do and could see the Flyer (and the pen!) coming in very handing for the research etc. I may take the plunge tomorrow.
So we may get to see a true life long term review? Great!
Maybe. Still a lot of money to spend on a tablet. Will sleep on it.
Bill? I think he was asking me:)
Feel free to send me a review if you get one anyway!
If you want to know more technical details about the Flyer, I recommend a visit to the XDA Developers web site.
I've had mine for the past 2 weeks and I'm a graphic designer. I have to say I love the note function. It is quite easy to taken notes on artwork changes with it. Started a new job and I had to learn a new database program for my job and the ablility to take photos, take notes, and record the info really helps to understand the program. Highly recommend. Only complains are lack of dedicated drawing apps and google/Skype video chat.