Review summary of the :
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Cons:
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Full Review:
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Unfortunately, there was a bit of functionality I wasn't able to test since I conducted the review on a non-O2 network, including features that allow for patches and updates to be downloaded to the device over the air and backing up personal files and data in a similar manner, as well as an auto-configuration feature that would configure data connections automatically provided the user chose the applicable O2 network. A slew of other services and software depending on the local network are also available, delivering a very good overall software/services bundle.
 | Even the XDA's cradle looks good in brushed aluminium (I'll stop ranting about the brushed aluminium now)
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The audio quality of the XDA is very good, and so is the reception of the speakerphone which is engaged through pressing and holding the place call button for a few moments whilst in a call. In terms of antenna reception, however, the O2 XDA doesn't score as high as traditional mobile phones - most likely due to electronic noise from other components, but manages to deliver good audio nevertheless.
Talk time and standby time are both impressive for a device of this kind; the device didn't quite live up to the claims of 3,5 hours of talk time, 150 hours of standby time and 15 hours of PDA usage, but considering myself as a heavy user I'm still satisfied since I came some 3/4 of the way. The price of the XDA varies from country to country, and although it's high - from 600 EUR with subsidies to up to 1300 without - that was to be expected given its advanced feature set.
Unfortunately, there are a few small kinks that limit useful features that have been put in place. For instance, the SD Card expansion slot isn't SDIO compatible which means it will only be able to use storage cards and not for instance a Bluetooth expansion card. The GPRS is Class B, allowing users to monitor both GSM and GPRS channels at the same time but not engage in a voice call and do web browsing over GPRS simultaneously - and it operates at a measly 19.2 Kbps.
Another gripe is that whilst Pocket PC Phone Edition allows for the Pocket PC to be switched off while the GSM connection remains operative, it also auto suspends after a certain amount of time set in the Power settings dialog - but unlike Pocket PC 2002, it couldn't care less whether a GPRS connection is active; it suspends anyway, unless you set the device to never suspend by itself, which again is dangerous since you quickly could end up losing all your data if you forget to switch it off. If you're downloading a large e-mail or application, would like to set your device to notify you should e-mail arrive at your IMAP account or just be available if anyone wants to reach you on Microsoft Messenger while you're out and about, you're out of luck. Fortunately, O2 will be coming out with updated software for the XDA shortly that among other things addresses this issue, but it's not here yet.
Conclusion
The O2 XDA is a well-crafted device; sturdy, reliable, and with a brilliant 12-bit display that makes up for the lack of 16-bit color. It's a tool for business people rather than Joe Consumer, which is also evident by O2's line-up of software and services including mostly business and personal productivity-related products. Integration of phone capabilities is not extreme, but sufficient to be considered a vast improvement over a solution where a Pocket PC and a mobile phone is used separately and communicate via cable, Infrared or Bluetooth - and it pulls off the feat in a small package, too.
- What's positive: Brilliant display, sufficient integration, good battery life, GPRS data traffic counter
- What's negative: Only 12-bit color, slow GPRS, unintellingent auto suspend, apalling grip
Overall: 
Price and availability
The will start selling for TBA () in November 1999.
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