It’s a Google Android powered handset, remarkable not only for its top rank specification – we’re talking HSDPA, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, 3.2 mp camera (no flash though), massive 3.5 inch capacitive touchscreen, trackball, microSD memory card slot (max 16GB) and 2.5 inch headset socket – but primarily for an impressively low PAYG price of just £179.99.
The thing is made by Huawei (its real name is the Huawei U8220) and from my brief play I must say it comes across as one gorgeous handset. The build quality it superb (it really feels solid and substantially crafted), the screen is incredible and the new Android interface is a model of usability. The phone I received was a pre-release model so there were a number of things not working properly such as SIM contacts access, but from my general adventures with the interface, SMS texting, WiFi browsing and calls I can say it’s a fabulous phone to use.
There’s none of that interface quirkiness of a Symbian S60 phone, operation is really snappy (German video) and the touchscreen blows away anything Nokia has on offer (although the iPhone is probably still the screen to beat). Basically I enjoyed using it muchly, which is more than I can say for a lot of the newer touchscreen handsets from various manufacturers. I also enjoy the Google centric interface, maybe because I use Google for so many things in general it’s a natural thing for me to transfer that to a mobile device.
