Phones: Vodafone HTC Magic Smartphone – Review – 79

This is actually the second phone from HTC to run Google’s open source Android operating system (rather than Windows Mobile). The Magic runs the 1.5 version of Android (nicknamed ‘Cupcake’, though we don’t see the baking parallel), which is really nice to use and serves to propel this phone into the big league.

Speaking of which, now comes the part where we compare the Magic to the iPhone. They’re quite similar in looks, with both models possessing full touchscreen functionality and similar builds. The Magic has a slightly smaller screen, but that’s not really much to complain about.

However, its lack of memory certainly is. With only a miserly 512MB of onboard storage, the Magic instantly loses face in the multimedia stakes. Thankfully, memory is expandable with a microSD card, and an 8GB card is packaged with the phone.

In terms of usability, the Magic is a delight to navigate. The touchscreen is highly responsive and intuitive, and sports a built-in software keyboard. The keyboard looks scary because the keys are so close together but is actually really easy to use thanks to the great predictive text function. Tilt the phone and voila, landscape view.

The HTC isn’t exactly a multimedia star. It has a fairly standard 3.2 megapixel camera and can play a limited number of media file types. What really lets it down, though (apart from the memory issue), is the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack, which means you have the choice of using the bundled handsfree kit or, er, nothing.

Internet access is where the Magic really stands out. If you adore Google (who doesn’t?) and have a Gmail account, you’ll get on really well with this phone. Syncing the handset to your account takes but a few seconds and all your contacts are immediately imported. Other Google services such as Maps, Calendar and GoogleTalk are preinstalled. A Google search box is actually a widget on the desktop, which is really handy when you need to know something fast.

Web browsing is fantastic on the Magic; it’s fast loading and viewing is more like using a computer desktop than a handheld device. Yep, the HTC surfs the web brilliantly and has a great OS, so if you aren’t fussed about its limited multimedia appeal, it’s well worth purchasing.

JESKA INNES

NETWORK: Vodafone
CONTACT: www.vodafone.co.nz

This review is from Tone issue 79.