Released at the tail end of 2009, the HTC HD2 is the embodiment of the modern smartphone. Packed full of high-end features, this handset meets business, social and entertainment needs of consumers in one fell swoop.

So what's on board?

Well, let's start with the screen. Dominating the design of the HTC HD2 is a 4.3" touchscreen. The 65k colour configuration produces great clarity and shows off the graphics from its varied media content.

Speaking of which, inside you'll find an array of programs including Facebook and Twitter integration, pocket office (a downsized version of Microsoft office) and the usual MP4/MP3 capabilities. It's a great media package for those seeking to do work and be entertained on the move.

There's a 5MP camera to take snaps with as well as 30fps video recorder for good measure. All of this can be stored and shared with ease thanks to the Internet capabilities of the HTC HD2. As well as Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to hook into any local source, you also have onboard 3G with 7.2 Mbps HSDPA - pretty much your standard smartphone connection really.

Memory is a bit of an issue with the HD2, as it is with many HTC phones to be honest. With only half a gigabyte of space onboard, you'd be hard pushed to get much of your content saved here. So instead you are more reliant on portable storage. Fortunately this handset has a microSD card slot capable of taking memory cards up to 32GB. It's also got a microUSB terminal for quick file sharing.

When you're trying to get out and about, the onboard
GPS and mapping software will come in extremely useful. There's even a digital compass if you fancy a little high tech orienteering.

The phone runs off of a Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system - the 6.5 professional to be exact. This provides a decent layout and easy navigation through the various applications. Generally the phone is quick to react, with limited lag on all features. The touchscreen is responsive and really helps to bring everything together.

Battery life is an issue for all smartphones unfortunately. With so much going on, the battery gets worn down reasonably quickly. The same is true with the HTC HD2, although it's not as bad as some of its rivals. You'll get just over five and a half hours talk time when using 3G and 12 hours of music play. So if you're a heavy user, you'll want to keep your charger handy.

Generally the HTC HD2 is really easy phone to use and has a great style about it. Everything is laid out in a straightforward fashion with simple touchscreen navigation to help cycle through the various pages.

That 4.3" screen makes a real difference too. When you're online or using the Office tools, you need that extra dimension to improve clarity and make working that little bit easier. Whilst it hasn't garnered as much attention as more illustrious devices (the iPhone being an obvious example), the HTC HD2 features a specification that would rival most.

It looks and feels great, has some great pre-installed media to play around with and is still one of the best handsets to be using the Microsoft Window operating system. So if you're looking for a new smartphone and don't want to follow the crowd, this is a perfect alternative.