Thinking that Globe already has the exclusive rights to carry the iPhone 3G in the Philippines, other networks would grab competing handsets like the Google Android G2 phone (aka HTC Magic).
Today, Globe announced they are officially offering this Android OS-powered phone to their subscribers. Unlike the Google G1, the G2 sheds off the qwerty keyboard for a large full touch screen.
HTC Magic/Google Android G2
Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528 MHz processor
3.2 inches, 320×480 pixels
accelerometer sensor
handwriting recognition
192 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM (expandable via microSD card)
HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps, HSUPA, 2 Mbps
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
3.15 MP autofocus camera (2048×1536 pixels)
built-in GPS
digital compass
The Android G2 is free with Globe’s GPlan or GFlex 7000 plan.
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If it takes a 7000 plan to be free… the cash price must be expensive!
waiting for your review on this model.
@Miguel – am asking for the SRP or prepaid price. Sure must be more expensive than iPhone 3G.
@MP – hoping to borrow one for a review.
Catching the niche market huh!.. Maybe Globe is having a good ARPU for those iPhone users.. that’s why they are bring in another exclusive phone..
Did Smart launched an exclusive phone years ago?.. I think Amazingphone ata tawaga dun.
Is Globe replicating such feat?
aus ang globe ah, talagang dinadala nila ang mga sikat na phones here in our country, hmm, ung palm pre ba? ndi kaya nila kukunin un for us?
Wow! just got my new phone already. Next time
but isn’t it SMART is also going to release the HTC Magic? who’s really the first?
@Kelvin: Yeah, they should get the Pre too!
@yuga
actually the G2 has the exact CPU/memory/OS specs as the G1 (or DevPhone1).
one thing you’re going to miss – no paid apps yet for most users, except US, UK and a few other places.
So Globe has once more trumped Smart eh?
Wonder how the other would respond.
Wow…pricey much!
Are they launching the Google G2 or the HTC Magic? Even if they’re the same phone there’s a big difference between the two since if it’s the G2, it’s preloaded with Google mobile apps and has official Google branding. Otherwise, it’s just a generic Android phone.
The HTC Magic’s great especially when your company uses Exchange. A fine Exchange client (not a 1.0 Exchange client) for free is a great deal already.
Now if it’s a myTouch/Google ION branded HTC Magic, that Exchange client goes away…
@cloud, it comes pre-loaded with Android OS
Now the Pre and the 3G S just need to hit the phil for all those technophiles
i want a Pre. =(
@yuga then it’s probably not the Google G2. The telcos can bring in the HTC Magic Android phone but need to have an agreement with Google in order to brand it the G2.
Hi, Abe — per HTC country manager Mark Sergio, the Magic is exclusively available to SMART. Check here — http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/technology/06/11/09/smart-brings-g2-android-phone-rp
Hi Abe
this is Ede Virata, I handle PR for HTC Corporation here in the Philippines. The HTC Magic will be available exclusively under SMART, and will be launched next week. The HTC Magic will be available with Smart Gold postpaid plans.
Both HTC and Smart have confirmed this. The article by David Dizon in ABS-CBNnews.com, published on June 11 2009, is correct.
@Ede, Thanks for the correction. I got this press release from Globe a while back. I’ll point this out to them.
Both telcos have PRs saying they have the HTC Magic! Got it myself too.
maybe Globe is getting it from the grey market
It’s so expensive.
iphone na lang.
‘..Globe announced they are officially offering this Android OS-powered phone to their subscribers.”
it means they are offering it but not exclusive as iPhone
@jerome – yeah, looks like both are offering.
@tey – the article says they will start by July.
@ede – the HTC Magic can be bought at Globe Business Center since last week. If Smart is getting the exclusive rights, it should take effect by next week or end of month right? I believe by then, Globe will stop offering it.
wow! looks sexy and beautiful. any idea yuga how much is this one?
So the claim that it is exclusive thru Smart is not correct after all because it is now available via Globe with Plan 7000. Also exclusivity has no more bearing in the local market because it is now available in Greenhills at much lower price.
I have the G1 and I love it except for the looks. I immediately bought the G2 in HK when I saw it and I love it even more
.
How much is it in Greenhills? Unlocked? Or through the local HTC distributor?
just saw it in HK, 4XXX hkd so thats pretty much about 24t ++. this is the unlocked variant.
iPhone 3GS vs G2
I go with G2, they must have to put a lot of applications just like what the iphone does. One thing i hate with the iPhone is you cannot do multi-taskin, you need to close you current program to proceed to another one. Unlike with the G2, you can do multitasking just like what the Nokia Cellphones or like the Palm Pre.
what a pricey plan 7000? ill stick buying overseas ! bad telcos!
this now available at smart.
for retention,
P800 23,500.00
P1200 19,800.00
P1800 14,800.00
P2500 9,300.00
P3500 2,900.00
still expensive for an android os.
how much is the unlocked unit?
are you sure that Globe will release this? representative from HTC told us that the Magic will be exclusive for SMART.
Globe made it available from June 1 to June 30, 2009. It’s currently not available on Globe now. Smart started offering it exclusively on July 1 onwards.
Here’s the press release from Globe’s website: http://site.globe.com.ph/web/guest/htc-magic?sid=1h7joret2hmti1256048559732