HTC HD2 handset due in the UK this week

Big-screen phone with Windows Mobile 6.5 coming to T-Mobile

The HD2 features HTC's Sense user interface

HTC has officially announced the European availability of its HD2 handset running Windows Mobile 6.5. The smartphone is set to be available in the UK from T-Mobile this week, and via online retailers later in November.

The HD2 is one of the most eagerly awaited handsets with Microsoft's new mobile platform. It features a large 4.3in capacitive touch-screen display, and brings to Windows Mobile the HTC Sense user interface that debuted on the Android-based Hero phone.

HTC said that the HD2 will be available in the UK via the T-Mobile network from 6 November, while retailers such as Expansys are expected to have availability later this month with SIM-free prices in the £500 to £550 range.

Although just 11mm thick, the HD2 is based on Qualcomm's 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and is a quad-band phone with 3G/HSDPA up to 7.2Mbit/s, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS built in.