Just found out that Globe is offering its own Android phone too with the Samsung i5700 Galaxy Spica. Now I didn’t see that coming considering Globe has its hands locked on the iPhone OS, a competing platform, for years.
The Samsung Galaxy Spica looks promising and from the specs alone, it seems better than my HTC Hero (recently crowned Mobile Phone of the Year at Mobile World Congress 2010 ).
Samsung i5700 Galaxy Spica
3.2 inches @ 320 x 480 pixels
800MHz Samsung processor
180MB internal storage
up to 32GB on microSD
3G/HSDPA 3.6 Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth 2.1 w/ EDR
GPS (SGPS only, no A-GPS)
3.15 MP autofocus camera
Android OS v1.5 or v2.1
1500mAh Li-Ion battery
I think it’s the cheapest (or best bang for the buck, if you will) Android phone locally available — about Php14,995 on Globe Prepaid, Php10,900 on Globe 500 and totally free on Globe Plan 1800 (with free 1 month Super Surf). The speedy processor here is essential as Android handsets tend to slow down over time (the perils of multi-tasking).
As a comparison, Smart is also offering the Android-powered HTC Magic for free on Plan 1800.
Update: Went to a Globe Business Center and they could not verify the Android version. I had to wait in line for my turn but did not have the patience so I left. Found an un-locked unit being sold for Php14,900 but they would not un-box the handset unless I pay for it first (bummer). Already sent inquiry to Samsung and Globe but no response yet.
Update: Got SMS from a Samsung rep that told me it’s Android Donut out of the box and upgrade-able to Eclair.
san po ba nakakabili ng galaxy spica sa iba kacng globe store wala cla eh..