Here’s a side-by-side shot of the Cingular 8525 (on the right) and its older brother, the 8125. As you can see, there’s not a huge difference in size between the two.

So I’m just about through with Day 1 with the new 8525 – which is really more like a half day as I only got this unboxed and started playing with it at around 4 this afternoon.

The first thing I’d say about the 8525 is that I’ve been looking forward to seeing / using this phone for a long time, and I’m not at all disappointed in it so far.

Read on for some quick thoughts and impressions …

Day 1 Quick Thoughts:

Downsizing is Good – It is not a huge amount smaller than the 8125, just marginally. But … it *feels* a lot slimmer – I don’t know if it’s the rounded edges of it or just the slight decrease in thickness of the device, but it feels much lighter and more pocketable.

Nicer Design Touches – Those rounded edges (as opposed to the blocky look and feel of the 8125) and the darker grey coloring of the device make it feel considerably more stylish than the 8125. I love the 8125, but it is sort of ugly and square looking. The 8525 is not going to match some of the super-sleek devices out there, but it’s much slicker looking than its predecessor.

Above – The 8525 stacked on top of the 8125.

Much-Improved Keyboard - I think the keyboard is my favorite thing so far. The keys feel more solid and easier to work with. There are new Page Up / Page Down, and Today Screen and Wireless entries on the keyboard which are very handy – as well as smaller and better hardware buttons just above the keyboard to interact with the Soft Keys nicely.

Keyboard Backlight is a Thing of Beauty – This is very impressive. The backlight is an amazingly bright and pleasing blue, that just makes you want to admire it.

Like The Trackwheel – Always thought this was going to be a major plus, and it is. Scrolling through documents and web pages is very nice when using the Trackwheel, and its location towards the top left side of the device is very comfortable for regular usage.

New Stylus / Location Very Awkward – I don’t like the new stylus. The non-writing end of it is larger than the 8125, and oddly designed / angled. It is much more difficult to get the stylus out, and to replace it after use. This may be a tiny factor for others, but I’m a heavy stylus / handwriting recognition sort of user, so this is a nuisance.

New Hardware Buttons Are A Big Plus – Definitely like having the Start button, OK button, and two hardware buttons for working with the Windows Mobile Soft Keys – all placed around the D-pad navigation control. With these new buttons, the Trackwheel, and the more centered positioning of the two hardware buttons at the top front of the device, the overall one-handedness of the 8525 is much improved over the 8125, and the 8125 is no slouch in this area!

But … Those New Hardware Buttons Could Be Better Spaced – love having them there, but the added buttons at the front bottom of the 8525 are very tightly placed around the D-pad.  So far, that has meant having to tread carefully in trying not to press the wrong one (hitting the phone button rather than Start for instance) and being pretty agile with my fingertips to get along with them.  I think these could be done a little better – but maybe I’ll get used to them quickly.

I’ve installed several favorite / essential apps on the 8525 already, and so far so good in terms of seeming a little zippier than the 8125, while running several powerful apps concurrently.

Have not yet tried out wireless, or ventured out with it enough to find any UMTS data speeds. 

So … lots more to check out with the 8525.  So far though, this is living up to its billing.  Will post more thoughts once the device has been through a couple of full work days.

Technorati Tags: Cingular – 8525 – HTC – Hermes – Wizard – 8125 – Just Another Mobile Monday

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