The Ultimate 8502 has a QWERTY keyboard, but the keys are quite small, so if you are planning to type a lot of text then this probably isn’t the smartphone for you.
I-mate has made the most of the space, though, with each key raised in its centre to make it easier to hit accurately. We managed a reasonable speed for creating SMS and email messages, but we would not suggest you try to use this smartphone for long and complex emails, or for document creation.
i-mate Ultimate 8502 – viewing the screen
As with other smartphones in the Ultimate range, the 8502 has a neat trick up its sleeve when it comes to viewing information − you can use the provided cable to send the screen’s contents to a TV or projector.
The cable is a miniUSB at the device end, and it will convey sound as well as pictures, and you could use it to show presentations, pictures, or webpages.
The cable shares the same connector as the mains power connector and stereo headset. And the video-out connector has a through-port so you can charge the smartphone while projecting its screen contents.
i-mate Ultimate 8502 – the need for speed
Communication is well catered for with 3G and HSDPA support, and is bolstered by HSUPA for faster uploading if your network operator supports it. It is also quad-band, with built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and the controls to turn these on and off are on the main screen.
However, the device lacks a front-facing camera to make two-way video calls. We think this is a sad omission, as the only camera it has, which is found on the back of the casing, is hampered by having just a two-megapixel lens and no auto-focus. A flash lifts it slightly in terms of capability, though.
i-mate Ultimate 8502 – communication
With no GPS antenna, the Ultimate 8502 is not cutting edge. Still, combining Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional with its touch-screen capability, and adding in a keyboard does mean this could be a good smartphone for the frequent communicator.
We also like the slightly offset navigation button. The mini joystick adds a little individuality to the look of the Ultimate 8502, as it sits off centre towards the right of a row of shortcut buttons on the front fascia. And if you don’t like it, there is a scroll-wheel on the left edge that you can use instead.
i-mate Ultimate 8502 – the verdict
The i-mate Ultimate 8502 doesn’t set the world alight with fancy features or stunning hardware design, but its video-out could come in handy, and it is a solid Look and Feel
It’s not the prettiest smartphone we have ever seen, but the offset mini joystick on the front fascia does give it an air of individuality.
Ease of Use
The QWERTY keyboard is tiny, but its keys are nicely raised from each other so they are reasonably easy to hit.
Features
There is no GPS, but it does have HSDPA and Wi-Fi, and you can send the screen’s contents to a TV or projector via a provided cable.
Performance
There were no performance issues noticed during testing. It is easy to navigate using a combination of mini joystick, side-mounted scroll-wheel and touch-screen.
Battery Life
The battery life is quite strong for a Windows Mobile Professional device. You should get a couple of days between charges unless you thrash the Wi-Fi and 3G. Specifications
Type of phone: Smartphone
Style: candy bar
Size: 116x55x15mm
Weight: 140g
Display: N/A colours
Resolution: 240x320
Camera: 2 megapixels
Video recording: Yes
Video playback: Yes
Video calling: Yes
Video streaming: Yes
Music formats played: WMA, MP3, AAC+, AAC
3.5mm jack port: N/A
Ringtones: Polyphonic
Radio: Yes
Operating system: N/A
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth
Internal memory: 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM
Memory Card Slot: microSD
Messaging: MMS, SMS
Internet Browser: WAP, HTML
E-mail client: POP3, IMAP4
GPS: N/A
Java: Yes
Games: Bubble Breaker, Solitaire
Data speed: HSDPA
Frequency: Quad-band
Talktime: N/A
Standby: N/A
Display size: N/A
Keypad: QWERTY
