The only closest touchscreen handset that could probably match the iPhone 3G is the HTC Magic with Google’s Android OS. And now that its exclusively available only for Smart Gold subscribers, you can grab one for just Php3,000 under Plan 3500.
The full price matrix, as published on their site, is here:
Plan 500 – Php27,000
Plan 800 – Php24,000
Plan 1200 – Php20,000
Plan 1800 – Php15,000
Plan 2500 – Php9,500
Plan 3500 – Php3,000
Plan comes with a 24-month lock-in period with Smart.
The HTC Magic is a pretty nice phone that nearly matches the iPhone 3G’s features and capabilities (including its own app store):
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
built-in GPS
digital compass
The HTC Magic was available on a Globe Plan for a couple of weeks until Smart snag the exclusive deal with HTC by end of June 2009.
And while it is said that Apple gets a cut of the monthly subscription fee from iPhone subscribers (Globe pays a percentage of the MSF to Apple), I’m not sure if Smart also has a similar deal with HTC due to the exclusivity.
Loading ...
I’ll still get 16G iphone 3GS. Almost 2k lang difference nya.
iPhone pa din. mas maganda ang features and style. And madaming apps.
I wish they’d price the HTC Hero similarly. May pose a bit of a challenge to the Iphone. Could be my first touch screen phone….
Very interesting. One thing going for it is that it isn’t an Apple product. Though personally I don’t like the way the cellphone market seems to be heading towards touch screen phones. I have yet to see a touchscreen phone that I was willing to use as my everyday phone.
i phone is more great looking and have tons of apps…i think it will take time to replace it as the standard of touch phones
Wow, this phone is really awesome! Thanks for the great share, yuga.
Nino Natividad
http://www.ninonatividad.com
Hi there! Just want to ask you. From your personal opinion. What’s the best netbook in the market today? coz i’m planning to buy one..
No to Magic nor Iphone..
Hero parin!
I have bought this phone the problem is the pre install it comes with the Open Handset distribution so it means you will not have the android market, gmail, google maps etc. and its sucks.
I tried to flash the ROM but for now its not possible. so be warn 
same with the indian version
try to look at this link also for the info http://jyro.blogspot.com/2009/07/htc-magic-indian-version-expectations.html