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The Streak took us by surprise in August and we closed the last review feeling that it could be a groundbreaking product for Dell. Sadly it never took the world by storm, but we feel it generated enough ripples on the ocean to warrant a follow up at a later date.
Android Froyo 2.2 has revitalised The Streak and it is an absolute joy to use. The Google interface is fast, intuitive and offers so much more than V1.6 did four short months ago.
Browsing the internet is much more enjoyable than it is with any other smartphone we have used. The additional physical real estate enhances the overall experience because you have more room to type and more of a visual landscape to enjoy when viewing movies or images. People with big hands, like me will find it much easier to use than any of the smaller competitors.
The screen definition, even four months later is still stunning, you really won't get much better than this for quality. The Streak is also small enough to carry around all the time, unlike the iPad. I found myself using The Streak for email when I was on the move, and for watching video clips. You never feel shortchanged, and I didn't find myself squinting at the screen to read text on a webpage either, which I often do using other smartphones.
The battery life is fantastic, although if you are active with Wi-Fi it will drop this time dramatically. With light, general use we squeezed three to four days from it which is a lot more than many people would expect.
Last time we mentioned that the performance was sadly lacking. As we have found out today, this had nothing to do with the Qualcomm 1GHZ processor, but was more related to the early build of the Android operating system. With Froyo 2.2 it feels much more responsive, verified by the RightWare BrowserMark test.
I wasn't impressed with the quality of the 5 MP camera. Maybe someday a company will bring one out that is actually good, but I still think the technology is a long time away. It's an SLR for me, every time. Perhaps I am being overly critical of the camera, because I lent the phone to my 14 year old niece for a few hours and she thought the pictures looked fantastic.
Using this phone in public certainly attracts attention, not just for the size, but for the dramatic red paintwork. If I was buying a phone today, this would be it. I normally have very little interest in smartphones, but this really is something special.
You can pick it up now from Dell starting at £399 inc vat.
KitGuru says: This is the Ferrari of the smartphone world and I think its criminal that it hasn't been a best seller.
Well thats doing a product justice. very very sexy.
The red colour is great. but a 5 inch phone for carrying about might be a bit much.
I almost bought one last time Zardon, just ordered one on Dell, i hate you man. £400 quid out 🙁
THey should use these pictures on their website. they are so much better. great article. outdid yourself.
Was looking at the Samsung S, this looks good too. Not like Dell to make something that stylish.
what a stunning looking phone. but isnt it hard to hold to your ear for a conversation.
no way this is better than the iphone 4, google android is way behind iOs
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.
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.
What do you mean ‘loud’ ? there is a fan installed?
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 !
@ Jon. No I meant ‘loud’ as in the colour is loud … bright, ‘in your face’/
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.
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,
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.
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.
Just ordered one after reading this. Looks brilliant. Thanks for all the work. Ditching my nokia
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!
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?
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.
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.
The white version is only available in the US through Best Buy, maybe they plan on releasing it everywhere else soon.
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.