Android Phones - product life cycle & how to choose

What with all the new Android phones, its time to look at the phones to not buy, unless you’re stuck for cash or just want your first touch phone.  There are many terminal vendors and operators with Android phones to choose from HTC, Sony Ericsson, Motorolla, T-mobile, Vodafone and Google (HTC).

General Points on Buying a Phone

1. Why buy a phone on a contract

the total cost of ownership over a 18 month or 2 year contract will be expensive. Don’t buy a phone contract if you will definitely be wanting to buy the next best thing in 6 or 12 months. Always buy a phone outright & use your credit card to pay.

2. Phone Insurance

your home contents insurance will usually cover you for this or even the extras or add on packages from your bank. So there is no need to choose this

3. Operator ‘Lock Downs’

there is lots of conversation on the internet that Orange in the UK and Europe is replacing GTalk, Google Search etc with their own products Orange Messenger and in the case of search Microsoft Bing.

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Google Android Phones - First Released in 2009

G1 - T-Mobile USA and UK / DE  aka HTC Dream - end of product cycle

recommendation: do not buy. If you want a split screen/keyboard get Motorola Droid

HTC Magic or MyTouch3G - end of product cycle

ok to buy handset only, don’t buy on contract

HTC Hero - end of product cycle

ok to buy handset only, don’t by on contract

See HTC Legend aka HTC Hero 2

HTC Tattoo - end of product cycle

ok to buy handset only, don’t buy on contract

Motorola Droid - mid product life -

ok to buy handset, ok to buy on contract

Note: there are better handsets, but this is a good choice in the USA.

Google Android Phones - First Released in 2010

HTC Legend - new product

This may also be the HTC Hero 2

ok to buy handset, ok to buy contract

HTC Desire - new product

ok to buy handset, ok to buy contract

Google Nexus One - mid product cycle

ok to buy handset, ok to buy contract

note: This is also made by HTC and almost identical to HTC Desire (which is slightly ‘faster’).

Sony Ericsson X10 - new

ok to buy handset, ok to buy contract

Warning: first phone from this manufacturer, unknown how positive Sony Ericsson will support firmware updates, etc

HTC Evo - 4G

dont buy for use in the UK, check in Europe

HTC Incredibile

dont buy for use in the UK, check in Europe

Meet the author

Damien Saunders
An experienced management consultant and business leader interested in digital transformation, product centred design and scaled agile. If I'm not writing about living with UCTD (an autoimmune disease), I'm probably listening to music, reading a book or learning more about wine.
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