Short Version
If Charlie the Unicorn has taught us anything it’s that the road to success is fraught with setbacks and, if you’re not careful, your best friends will cut out your kidneys. It is with these life-lessons in mind that we examine the Dell Streak, a 5-inch Android 1.6 tablet that shows much promise but is hobbled by Android OS fracturing.
Features:
- 5-inch 800×480 pixel screen
- 3G WLAN support
- Wi-Fi
- Android Tablet
- MSRP: $299 with contract, $549 without
Pros:
- Speedy processor
- Upgradeable storage
- 3G support
Cons:
- Slow Android updates
- A little too big
- Weak battery cover
Review
The Dell Streak is an odd duck. While I don’t doubt that it is the future, I still have some doubts that this wee tablet with its 5-inch screen and Android kernel is exactly what the world is looking for, devices like this will soon fill the gap between smartphones and laptops and, most important, offer powerful competition to the iPad. In short, the Streak is a good idea.
The device, when off, is a featureless black slab. When you turn it on, however, three buttons light up on the right edge and the screen really shines. The 800×480 resolution is quite good and there is plenty of room for almost every Android UI element.
The device has Wi-Fi and a 3G modem as well as a 5 megapixel camera and replaceable microSD memory. The Streak is a little bit heavy and the battery is hidden behind a large removable panel that, if you’re not careful, can pop off accidentally.
The Streak doesn’t know what it wants to be. If you install the Kindle app, it’s an ereader. If you turn on Google Maps it’s a GPS unit. If you play a video that you’ve copied over via side-loading, it’s a media machine. Finally, if you tap the phone button, you’ve basically got a comically large cellphone. These multiple personalities are, in reality, quite a bit of fun and it’s exciting to see the Jack of All Trades come back into the technology space.
The Good
The Streak is running a 1GHz Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm, making it one of the fastest tablets I’ve seen. You can get quite a bit done on this hunk of computing power including some minor text editing. However, unlike the iPad, it’s a bit too small for real word processing or spreadsheet editing.
The device is handsome, portable, and powerful. It’s an exciting step in the future direction of tablets and, even if it doesn’t appeal to you right now, it’s a harbinger of things to come. The Streak is a fascinating device and it does everything as advertised. Maps pop up quickly and easily, web browsing offers a complete WebKit compatible experience, and media playback. The Streak supports H.263/H.264, MPEG4, and WMV videos and most audio formats.
The Bad
It’s a bit too big to be a phone and a bit too small to be a tablet. It is usable for ebook reading and video viewing, but it isn’t ideal for either of those purposes. In fact, I’m loathe to recommend it as an ebook reader simply because the screen is a tad too small.
The device also suffers from Android refraction. Because it’s running 1.6 – with an expectation that Dell will roll out 2.2 in the next few months – you’re essentially using an ancient version of Android until, well, you’re not.
Also, 1.6 doesn’t support Flash or tethering. Feel free to express your outrage by screaming into a Japanese stress jar.
I also had some issues with the rear panel. This panel slides off to reveal the battery, SIM card slot, and storage. If you don’t put the panel on just so, it won’t stick and it will fall off. I actually knocked of a little piece of the back panel while trying to install it, although, admittedly, the part wasn’t important. For something so well-made it’s surprising that Dell overlooked this fairly major part.
Bottom Line
The Dell Streak is really cool. It’s a small, strange device with a great screen and points to future devices in the same vein. Is this device perfect? Not quite, especially for the non-subsidized $549 price tag. I’m excited to see where devices like the Streak are headed and I think this thing, in a way, is giving Apple a run for their money.
Again, Dell is hobbled here by the version of Android they decided to install. The Android nerds out there will complain that this isn’t Froyo or Yoyo or Miracle Gro, but 1.6 seems stable and strong enough to be quite usable.
In short, if you’re looking for a very powerful, very compact Android tablet, this is probably your best and safest bet.
How can John Biggs, Apple fanboy, complain about the price for something when he buys iPads and Mac Pros?
Lol owned
Dammit, Mom. Why do you have to take their side!
because I’m the one who actually has to pay for all your toys!! :-D srly the mac pro costs more than my car!
B’coz it is not apple :-p
Besides the fact that this device is more expensive than the iPad?
Aside from the fact that they do different things. this device is $80 cheaper than the cheapest 3G iPad.
The device is also half the physical screen size, which is quite important in terms of value.
Apple sucks and loses in this comparison. Get over it.
Benjamin, are you saying that the iPhone 4 is a really bad value proposition if we go by the screen size?
@Tom
The iPhone 4′s resolution is higher, and has more features. Also the iPad has a much higher resolution than this device as well.
The price/quality ratio does not seem that great with the Streak.
Price/in2
Maybe because it cost more than the Apple “version”? At least project your Apple nerd hate strategically, jeez.
The Dell Streak is more comparable to the iPhone, since it can make calls and has 3G internet access.
And if you’re complaining about the unlocked price of a Dell Streak, look at the unlocked price of an iPhone. They’re astronomical.
The better question is why the apple fanboy is the one reviewing a non apple product. Being a fandroid myself, there is no way I would/could give an impartial review of an apple product.
Yes it runs 1.6, which will change shortly. Dell works on a 6 months behind the curve development cycle which should put an update coming for the device in the next month or so.
It was also root on the 5th of june so you can install what ever version of android you like.
That’s the biggest problem right there; consumers, in general, don’t have the slightest clue about rooting and flashing, etc. I’d guess 90% of iPhone owners don’t know how to program a VCR, let alone hack a Droid.
I’d disagree, consumers in general are actually rooting experts, however only a small percentage are experienced in flashing.
When was the last time you programmed a VCR??? If it has been in the last 5 years then you need to stop commenting on new gadgets….
If you don’t like it, maybe you should put in your application for being a blogger on Crunchgear? I believe you would be a great un-biased addition to the team.
Is the AT&T contract data only like the iPad? How much is it monthly?
Since it’s got a subsidized price, probably not.
So you should try stabbing it with a pen as hard as you can… I bet you money you would not even dent the glass!!!
Seriously John, take a pen and stab it as hard as you can.. the glass is indestructible.. it’s more impressive then anything I have demoed myself.
I think the Omega “photo” is more interesting.
Exactly. “that’s a very handsome watch you’re wearing, Mr. Biggs”
Gracias.
I got a Orange Planet Ocean Professional.. I love it.. heavy and nice! actually so heavy I have a indention in my wrist…but it’s so worth it!!
Looks like my only real complaint is lack of Froyo and the smallish resolution. I will still probably consider purchasing this when the OS gets updated and the price drops. I would love having a device bigger than the Moto Droid which is my current phone. I think 5″ is a great size.
Any battery life details? How does it hold up?
It will last about a day of use, two days on standby. It really varied.
That looks about the size of my old N800, which wasn’t ideal for carrying around in your pocket.
I don’t quite get the review. Seems like the versatility of the Streak is strange to the reviewer but not when it comes to the iPad. Shouldn’t these devices do multiple things? It’s size is an issue apparently but that was one of the questions of the iPad as well. Despite this curious review I’d still be inclined to buy it.
Once again, you are trying to put logic to a fanboy’s emotions. You cannot.
Have had much time to play with a Streak here in the UK in a Carphone Warehouse store. It is a joy to use, in particular the web browsing and maps. Plus, hook it up with a Logitech Denovo Mini Bluetooth keyboard (see http://www.streaksmart.com/), and you have a nice setup for those who hate the on screen keyboard experience.
What really makes the Streak is the perfect screen size. Anything larger and the device would not fit in a pocket.
Flaws:
Battery cover (as mentioned above)
Lack of mini USB port, so charging is only possible using the Dell cable. (Similar concept to Apple’s iDevice connectivity.)
So basically its an updated Game Gear. Does it come with rolling luggage for on-the-go?
It does pretty much the same as most modern smartphones but it”s massive. I think if i carried that around in my pocket my trousers would fall down. I agree that it doesn’t know what it wants to be as it’s too small as an ebook reader and too big to be a phone.
It’s in the “uncanny valley” of not quite big enough to be a tablet and too big to be a smart phone.
^ and wasn’t this F’ing obvious? As far as product design goes… You’re fired!
This is bunch of crap, the project manager of this project should be fired !
Is that a Plasma TV?
It’s strange to me that Dell decided to lead with this product – it really makes no sense for my use. It has a high price, it requires yet another monthly fee (until they come out with the 3G-less version) and as JB pointed out, it’s right in between a phone and a tablet, and not terribly good at being either.
The 7″ version is going to be more suited to my needs, but it’s going to be awhile until that comes out. At least it’s good to know that there are mostly positive things to say about the Streak because it bodes well for the 7″ version.
Good point weatherman, I look at it the same way. Maybe the bigger one will have better capability and a later OS?
The above comments are very harsh. Having owned an iPhone 3GS for a few months and used an iPhone 4, the Streak form factor is better for long term media consumption. Further, usability is enhanced with the Home – Menu – Back touch buttons which are a continuation of the Web browser paradigm that is becoming common across more and more mediums. Further, the Streak has a mechanical shutter release for the camera – and a self timer! It is inexcusable that Apple left either of those out on iPhone, never mind both! What were they drinking? :P
I’m definitely excited for this, but I’ll be waiting to see if it gets an OS update. It’s a great device, but I personally find the lack of Flash support in 1.6 seriously hinders it’s usefulness to me.
Now everybody knows u have an Omega watch ;D
He got it for $20 in some shady alley in Shaghai.
Not complain, just curious.
Why isn’t everyone going forward not using Froyo??
It takes a long time to develop a device. They can’t develop a device for an OS that isn’t out when the device is being developed. Froyo’s been out for a few *weeks*.
Old version of Android aside, I think it looks great. I think this formfactor is the future – MMS, social networking and e-mail are rapidly eating into my usage of my cellphone (and soon videocalling, which is ergonomically completely different from voice calling), so it’s barely a disadvantage if it’s a bit awkward to use as a phone.
I’m still waiting for my tablet of choice device to come out, Notion ink Adam. It’s so much bang for your buck for a similar price.
Will AT&T allow me to use the non-subsidized ($549) version on their pay-as-you-go plan? I would use this 99% of the time on wifi and would only want it as a phone for emergency use (like a car break-down, etc). Then I could just buy $100 worth of minutes that don’t expire for a year.
This would be ideal. I use my Droid on Verizon and don’t want to pay AT&T for a full phone.
I want a STrek because it is slightly bigger and easier to view than the typical smartphone.
not STrek. Streak.
Yes, you can do it on a pay as you go. I am actually doing that right now using an iPhone 3gs. Just buy a cheap $15 pay as you go phone, activate it, then put the SIM in your Streak. As for me, I am hoping for ATT to come out with a data only plan – I never use 450 minutes; more like 15 minutes a month.
AT&T is selling refurbished Nokia 2330 GoPhones on their web site for only $6.99 with free shipping and online activation. So I assume I would be able to swap that sim into the Streak and use it on pay-as-you-go, correct?
Dell you better drop the price if you want more users to buy it….
Seems like it would make an ideal in-dash docked/mounted “stereo” unit.
I definitely like it. Looks like a phone that will be hard to lose, and a computer that is easy to carry around. Perfect for me to hide in the janitor closet to read some García Marquez.
BTW the Streak will be released with 2.1 hence the delay in releasing.Comparing this device to an ipad is way too apples and oranges,to an iphone more on point.
I am an Android phone user (Incredible from Verizon), so generally use and like the interface.
However the Streak did nothing for me. I had my hands on one in London this summer. I found it (in comparison with the Incredible) to be slow and unresponsive. I don’t know if that was because it was Android 1.6 or whether it was too much work for the processor.
I found it too big to be convenient and too small to be useful. I can’t get enough words on the page to make it a good kindle replacement. In fact I couldn’t find a damned thing I liked about it.
So, I will keep waiting for an Android powered device that can sensibly augment my phone.
That omega watch looks like it weighs 2lbs
What a great device, i had a iphone 4 and traded it in for the dell streak, and what a good decision. I work for Vodafone and see many phones although this is my first android i used to use windows ( uggghhh ) and symbian then my iphone 3gs ( was good ) the 4 DOES drop calls and any one who stupidly says otherwise well why would i get rid of it, oh and having spent money on apps got most free equivalent on android and when 2.2 launches then even better, yes it is bigger but sat on train journey and iphone users look at you lol, watched troy and iphone user watched film over shoulder this was worth every penny, iphones are simple units. The dell streak is faster and better, although did not have head phones other day so standard call felt awkward lol
This device sucks for DEll ,,,you’ll be a fool for getting this phone for that price,, better off getting the iphone that been around and has better apps..you might as well wait for the apple ipad with the front camera soon,,
Bottom line, all these phone has service with AT&T which really sucks and has cheap phones..if you’re thinking about getting this phone, chances are that you’ll be disappointed ..
Suggestion, is to go with phone that phone maker has been around for awhile,they been making the device for awhile with improvement, ask yourself how long Dell been in the cell phone business…
If you want a android phone, the DROID X is way better than this cheap phone, I wont be suprise that APPLE will be selling their iphone with VERIZON and SPRINT next year, 2011.. I would wait,,and watch if your really thinking about buying this phone…
Very keen on getting this one. I was torn between the HTC Desire (a nice piece of work) and iphone 4, but this seems to suit my needs much more, given the larger but still pocket-sized screen. There are enough well-developed apps available for Android to make this useful in a number of ways. I also agree that the correct comparison is a smartphone, not an iPad.
The iPhone 4 would be a MUCH better desision. I cant tell you what to get but remember that the iPhone is MUCH better. Take it under MUCH consideration
It’s certainly a chunky little piece of hardware-not liking the odd size of this Dell ‘phone’.
Incredibly thin for such a huge screen, I am amazed but postings from people that either have no idea about the product or no understanding of a word like chunky
It looks like great.I’d like get one.
i like this, but why would i spend that much for it?
The biggest problem I see with this is it’s a Dell. Everything they have ever sold has been a piece of junk. Unreliable, unsupported, and useless after it fails.
It doesn’t matter what the technical specifications might look like, Dell will find a way to make it trash by poor quality control, non-existent technical support as well as deceptive marketing.
Yes, it’s over-priced. Apple products cost more because they are worth it, no matter what you Apple-haters prefer to think. Self-deception is much easier than thinking, isn’t it?
Soooooo Trueeeeee
Sorry to say James you are barking mad. Dell is a very reputed company and thay make good products. Im not a fan of any mobile phone type or company, but you cant undermine dell products. It is obvious that you have a apple product but never think everyone share or in your boat.
Looks nice, wish AT&T covered my area (or any other major cell carrier for that matter).
The lowest pricing you’ll have would be an $9.99 add-a-line to an existing group, plus the smaller 200MB plan at $15. Lowest monthly cost then $24.99. The 2GB data plan would increase it by $10 to $34.99, with voice and data on the lightest add to any existing service.
Isn’t this just an awkwardly large iPod Touch with a cheap case?
Dont forget its about triple the price for about 1/4 of the features of the ipod touch 4G
Wow, shouldn’t fan boys just start their posts with I am a fan boy? I guess I really shouldn’t be talking trolling and commenting on month old posts but goodness
Despite the Dell fanboi’s (is there actually such a thing… but I digress) insistence, the proof will be in the sales numbers… which I anticipate will be quite low.
5″ screen is definitely a little small. I think the 7″ tablets are a good compromise. Easier to carry than the 10 tablets and much easier to surf on than a 5″ tablet or iPod touch….
Android 2.2 will be a nice addition when it is available for the Streak, but 1.6 is stable and works well, although no Flash. However, there is a YouTube app that works well and another app that lets you save YouTube videos to your device if you want to save them for faster retrieval. I’ve had a 7″ Android tablet from China for several months now and I really like it. With the Market place there are lots of apps to try out and it works great for surfing, bookreader, news reader video player, etc.
This thing is completly stupid. It would be foolish for anybody to get this. Its a complete scam. If you just wait a few more weeks and dont buy into this device you could get the new iPod touch 4G for half the price, 2 cameras and video chat. But if people wanna be scamed, thats not my problum.
How much Apple stock do you won? What on earth does an iPod touch have to do with a phone?
It’s not a scam, its an Android Tablet. Some folks prefer Android devices to Apple’s devices and some people prefer Apple devices. For a phone, I prefer the iphone, but for a tablet, I’d probably go with an Android tablet running 2.2 before I bought an iPad. I think a 10″ tablet is just too big to carry around, may as well carry a laptop…..that being said, I think the streak’s 5″ screen is too small, the 7″ tablets are a good size, big enough to read easily and small enough to fit in a big pocket to use at wifi hotspots, etc.
I think it’s going to flop just because it’s a weird size. Too big to be a phone, to small to be a tablet. I think 7 inches is about the smallest a tablet should be.
You say it’s an “odd duck” at the same time you think it’s the “future?” Listen to yourself. It is very likely other consumers will think the same thing. This device does not fill the gap between smart phones and laptops; rather it seems to fill the gap between smart phones and tablets–which is a very strange place to be.
Unless they come up with some brilliant marketing, I think Dell is going to have a serious problem making this device successful.
I wish them well, but I suspect iPad competitors that are in the works are going to take a more tablet-like route.
I was all set to get the Streak, but AT&T’s new 2GB hard cap is a deal breaker. Also, as a tablet/e-reader it’s still too small. A decent size for reading would have to be around 7″. Like the size of a typical mass-market-paperback.