5 Android phones in Asia
Fret not. If you want an Android phone in our region, HTC and Samsung are already selling them here. Just take note that some of these models are released in limited markets, so check with your operator to find out which ones are available locally for you.
Click here for a feature comparison table.
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1. | HTC Hero
CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: Extremely customizable interface, thanks to HTC Sense; solid construction; good use of materials; 3.5mm audio connector; multitouch in browser; decent battery life.
The bad: Certain HTC apps can be slow; slow shutter on camera; unable to accept video calls.
The bottom line: A combination of good design and a fully customizable user interface make the Hero a great smartphone. A boon for the Android platform still in its infancy.
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2. | HTC Magic
CNET Asia rating: 7.3 out of 10 The good: Compact form factor; sharp touchscreen display; Microsoft Exchange support; onscreen numeric keypad for one-hand typing; Marketplace for apps and widgets.
The bad: QWERTY keypad needs improvement; no 3.5mm audio jack; camera lacks flash; battery life not great.
The bottom line: The new Android 1.5 software adds quite a number of features to this smartphone compared with the Dream, but HTC needs to iron out a few niggles to make it better.
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3. | Samsung I7500
CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: Vibrant screen; plenty of onboard memory; good camera with LED photo light; 3.5mm headphone jack; support for wonderful Android apps; responsive user interface.
The bad: Dull appearance; no multitouch; sub-par keyboard design; bog-standard version of Android means no innovations.
The bottom line: Samsung has brought some crave-worthy hardware features to its first Android handset. But it runs on the bog-standard version of Android, which means it lacks multitouch and fun custom widgets like we've seen on other phones. Overall, the Galaxy fails to reach the heady heights of the HTC Hero, but it's a strong competitor to the HTC Magic.
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4. | HTC Tattoo
CNET Asia rating: 7.3 out of 10 The good: Full Android feature set at low price; changeable covers; Sense UI scaled down well to screen size; 3.5mm audio jack; HSDPA connectivity; excellent battery life.
The bad: Small 2.8-inch QVGA display; narrow buttons for onscreen QWERTY keypad in portrait mode; many Android apps not suited for lower-resolution panel; poor speakerphone.
The bottom line: If you want an affordable Android smartphone, the Tattoo will fit the bill. Power users should look elsewhere.
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5. | HTC Dream
CNET Asia rating: 7.2 out of 10 The good: Good browser; stable OS; Android Market for apps; good QWERTY keyboard; Google integration.
The bad: Missing SMS features; no video recording; no Exchange support; lacks onscreen keyboard; no dedicated audio jack.
The bottom line: This Android-powered smartphone has a host of features that will appeal to the Internet junkie on-the-go, but still lacks some basics, limiting its broader appeal.
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About the author
Editor John Chan's love for gadgets can be traced back to the days when he disassembled his toys and couldn't put them back together again. He practices great restraint in not opening up every review product that comes through the CNET Asia Labs, and before that, in his previous job at HardwareZone. He has reviewed items big and small, from mobile phones to projectors and feels everyone should carry a multitool at all times in case of MacGyver situations.
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