My current mobile is the Cingular 2125, an HTC mobile. It is the "sequel" to my last mobile: an HTC Typhoon (branded as an Audiovox SMT-5600). Those 2 models are my favorite mobile phones ever, barely beating out the Motorola StarTac. HTC isn't known for Flip-phones, nor is Windows Mobile (Motorola's last WinMob flip phone was enough to drive some people away from SmartPhones), so the news of HTC's codename "Star Trek"/"Star100" (initially coming as the QTek 8500) mobile was something I was very happy to see. Until I read the first of the reviews. MSMobiles (a site I hate to link to, and so won't) published a page full of photos of the Star100, confirming many of the good and bad things I've heard
There are some great things in this phone: 3G network (EDGE is the best mine current model will handle), stereo Bluetooth (I can't believe my phone still lacks this feature), it is sexy (very StarTac-esque, right down to the name), and all the things I love about my current phone. Well, not quite all...
I have a 1GB MiniSD memory card and will probably have a 2GB card by the end of this month. The Star100 uses a MicroSD card, which means I would have to buy a new memory card, for more money than I care to blow for a few millimeters of space savings. Plus, MicroSD cards do not come in 2GB models yet. $100+ extra for a new memory card? Not without a good reason and I see no good reason for it.
One of my favorite things about HTC's mobiles is that they use standard mini USB cables for everything: syncing, charging, etc. This means you basically have the correct cable for your emergency charging needs whenever you are near a computer. The Star100 has a new cable type, which they use as the sync cable plug, headphone plug, charging plug. So not only have they taken away the "Universal" nature of the charging cable on my favorite phones, they have also taken away my ability to listen to music at my work desk while charging my phone. A new cable format also means I would need to carry cables with me at all times, buy and keep a spare set at the office, and/or completely give up any idea of being able to charge my mobile at random times when away from home. Not thanks.
I am sure HTC has some good excuses for these changes. I just hope they come to their senses before too long.