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Dell Streak Review – ‘Ferrari red’ revisited with Android 2.2 (Froyo)

The Dell Streak ships with a dual camera configuration. A front facing 640×480 model and a rear facing 5 megapixel unit which delivers 2592×1944 pixel resolution. Both of which can also record video – at 640×480.

Sadly I found the quality of both poor, with photographs only looking at best average under near perfect outdoor lighting conditions.

While Froyo 2.2 offers a few more settings it sadly doesn't improve on the quality of the final image and this is the same image we used in the last review, basically because everything I was taking for this review was indoors due to winter weather in Ireland. The camera is identical, and it is acceptable for quick shots when out and about, nothing more.

Video quality is acceptable, if you don't mind the camera frequently messing up the white balance, even part way through a recording. The video above is a clear indication of the camera auto adjusting the white balance mid way through (around 7 seconds in) and getting it wrong. In live view mode we also found the response would judder in poorly lit conditions, much like overloading a video card and seeing the frame rate drop in half. Outdoors it gives better results … in good daylight.

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23 comments

  1. Well thats doing a product justice. very very sexy.

  2. The red colour is great. but a 5 inch phone for carrying about might be a bit much.

  3. I almost bought one last time Zardon, just ordered one on Dell, i hate you man. £400 quid out 🙁

  4. THey should use these pictures on their website. they are so much better. great article. outdid yourself.

  5. Was looking at the Samsung S, this looks good too. Not like Dell to make something that stylish.

  6. what a stunning looking phone. but isnt it hard to hold to your ear for a conversation.

  7. no way this is better than the iphone 4, google android is way behind iOs

  8. ive been looking at one of these for months now, and never got around to diving in. Im still not sure. the camera look shitty, but most of them are as you say. hard to know. I think dell might revamp this in 2011.

  9. My boss has one of these as Dell gave him it with a big server order he made recently for the company. Its really really good. im envious of it. The red one is really much nicer though, but its quite loud, might be a good way to get a kicking out at night time.

  10. What do you mean ‘loud’ ? there is a fan installed?

  11. I liked this last time you reviewed it, but froyo is definitely one to watch, google might be a sleeping dragon here. MS watch out !

  12. @ Jon. No I meant ‘loud’ as in the colour is loud … bright, ‘in your face’/

  13. Microsoft have a long way to go before google will be worrying them, however they are already having more success in the mobile sector than microsoft have had, so maybe there is a point in there somewhere. They seem to be really expanding in the software market and they look to be a devestating force. It might take a long time, but I would be watching google in future for dominance in a variety of sectors.

  14. Great review, rather than the ridiculous “its so big” ones you read, that are obviously by people that have never used one..
    its worth playing with the camera settings, the camcorder records at 720p (admittedly needs decent light to get high fps)
    with some fairly simple tweaks then the streak really flies,
    if you want to know more then come and have a chat on the dell streak forum on modaco..
    We’re pushing this quite hard,

  15. I have two, both red. One standard 2.2 and the other rooted for playing with. It’s the best gadget I’ve ever owned. Just like any smartphone don’t drop it, it is well made and pretty robust but I have broken a screen with a fairly modest fall.

  16. Another member of the modaco streak forum here. This is a brilliant review and it’s refreshing to read from someone who knows what they are talking about. So many poor reviews on this right now. Bookmarked the site, excellent.

  17. Just ordered one after reading this. Looks brilliant. Thanks for all the work. Ditching my nokia

  18. Looks Good but i wouldn’t buy one and heres why…

    “Hey Zac! check this out”, Zac replies, “What is it?”, I proudly present, “Its the streak from Dell”… (pause), Zac ROFL

    it might be the best smartphone in the world but its image, like everything else in this world gets you in the door!

  19. Youbethor Detzatze

    I was in between Samsung Galaxy S (my son has it), Iphone 4 and Dell Streak. Thanks Zardon, I guess you just helped me to choose Dell Streak. I am going to order it. No white color yet?

  20. Just Red and Carbon as far as I know. I can ask them if they plan a white version, but I would assume it would already be out by now.

  21. I love mine! Don’t know why people think it is too big for a phone, I don’t mind at all and bluetooth headsets are the norm here anyway.
    There is a white version in the US sold through Best Buy.
    This device is so much more customizable than my iphones, check out modaco, xda, or any of the streak forums for ideas.

  22. The white version is only available in the US through Best Buy, maybe they plan on releasing it everywhere else soon.

  23. The Streak has a large footprint, no doubt, but it is quite usable as a phone – and I have “normal” size hands. The camera and the PDMI connector are the only 2 weak points of this tablet/phone. For me, it’s my “everything” device – replacing a phone, laptop, and dedicated GPS. When I travel for business now, I don’t have to worry about syncing between my phone and laptop and I travel SO much lighter. Less cables, adapter, and a fraction of the weight I used to carry.

    The “Streak 2” has been announced by Dell – same or similar formfactor, with a higher res screen and dual-core processor – with an ETA of May 2011. Which means it might ship in the fall of 2011, at best.

    Anyone who wants the best performance will want to flash DJ_Steve’s custom 2.2 ROM (version 1.5.1). It is based on the stock Dell ROM, with many improvements. Google “DJ Steve Streak ROM” and you’ll find his page on Modaco.com.