MTN G1 versus Vodacom G2
Vodacom announced yesterday that they will launch the HTC Magic in South Africa next week. This comes only days after MTN announced that they will make the HTC Dream, also known as the Google G1 phone, available later in May.
Both the HTC Magic and the HTC Dream run the Google Android operating system and seamlessly integrate Google applications like search, Google Maps and YouTube video streaming.
The HTC Dream is the first generation HTC Google Android smart phone and was commercially launched in the US and the UK in October 2008. The HTC Magic, a second generation ‘Google Smartphone’ from HTC, only went on sale in late April 2009 which makes Vodacom one of the first operators to launch the Magic, also known as the G2.
The HTC Magic from Vodacom is not the Vodafone branded Google G2, but it is identical to the international Vodafone version with one exception – the absence of Android Market, the platform for purchasing Android applications. HTC South Africa came to the rescue and will make an ‘OMX’ button available to South African HTC Magic users which will bring them a localized Android Market.
While the two phones are similar in many respects, especially regarding Google and Android application integration, their physical attributes are slightly different. The main differentiator is the slide out keyboard in the HTC Dream which is not present in the HTC Magic.
HTC Dream and HTC Magic comparsion
Many consumers may find it difficult to decide between the MTN HTC Dream and the Vodacom HTC Magic, the following table provides a basic comparison between the two phones in terms of price and specifications.
| Vodacom HTC Magic | MTN HTC Dream | |
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Specifications
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| Processor | Qualcomm MSM7200A, 528 MHz | Qualcomm MSM7201A, 528 MHz |
| Platform | Android | Android |
| ROM/RAM | 512 MB/288MB | 256 MB/192 MB |
| Dimensions | 113 x 55.56 x 13.65 mm | 117.7 mm x 55.7 mm x 17.1 mm |
| Weight | 116 grams | 158 grams |
| Display | 3.2-inch TFT-LCD Touch-sensitive screen 320×480 HVGA resolution |
3.2-inch TFT-LCD Touch-sensitive screen 320 x 480 HVGA resolution |
| Network | HSPA/WCDMA Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE |
HSPA/WCDMA Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE |
| Device Control | Trackball with Enter button | Trackball with Enter button |
| Keyboard | On-screen | 5-row QWERTY keyboard |
| GPS | Internal GPS antenna | GPS with Google Maps |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g HTC ExtUSB |
Bluetooth 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g HTC ExtUSB |
| Camera | 3.2 megapixel color camera with auto focus | 3.2 megapixel color camera with auto focus |
| Audio | Built-in microphone and speaker | Built-in microphone and speaker |
| Battery |
Talk: Up to 450 minutes for GSM |
Talk: Up to 406 minutes for GSM Standby: Up to 319 hours for GSM |
| Expansion Slot | microSD (2 GB included) | microSD |
| Special Features | G-sensor Digital Compass |
Digital Compass Motion Sensor |
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Pricing
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| Prepaid | R 8269.00 (RRP) | R 6 000 (RRP) |
| Contract | R 599.00 (launch special expected) | R 535.00 |
| 120 minutes airtime 100 SMSes 250 MB of data |
R 350.00 airtime 50 SMSes 100 MB of data |
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HTC Dream versus HTC Magic – give your views
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- HTC Magic
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- HTC Magic
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