T-Mobile MyTouch 3G: There's a Lot to Like
The T-Mobile MyTouch 3G is T-Mobile's second smartphone running Google's Android mobile operating system. And while the MyTouch 3G ($200 as of July 22, 2009) has much going for it-- a lightweight design, a gorgeous screen, and the 1.5 update to the Android operating system, it's not without its flaws -- the on-screen keyboard is far from perfect, for example.
Thu, July 23, 2009
PC World — The T-Mobile MyTouch 3G is T-Mobile's second smartphone running Google's Android mobile operating system. And while the MyTouch 3G ($200 as of July 22, 2009) has much going for it-- a lightweight design, a gorgeous screen, and the 1.5 update to the Android operating system, it's not without its flaws -- the on-screen keyboard is far from perfect, for example.
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The MyTouch 3G is virtually identical to the HTC Magic, as the handset is called overseas. The phone has an eye-catching design that's what the T-Mobile G1 should have been-it's sleek, elegantly curved, and graced with distinctive design touches. When the G1 first came out, I described it as bland. Viewed side-by-side with the myTouch 3G, the G1 now looks downright kludgy. It feels bulky, too, and no wonder: Though the MyTouch 3G's dimensions are only slightly smaller than the G1 (measures 4.5 by 2.2 by 0.5 inches versus the G1's 4.6 by 2.2 by 0.6 inches), in hand it feels significantly smaller, and it is noticeably lighter (weighing 4.1 ounces versus the G1's 5.6 ounces). The Apple iPhone 3G is taller and slightly slimmer than the myTouch.
The phone's gentle curves are more than aesthetic touches: Its bottom tip has a more pronounced curve than the top, and the resulting shape formed a comfortable thumb grip. The curves, coupled with the shiny maroon (dubbed "Merlot") finish, make the myTouch more pocketable than the G1 ever could hope to be. Like the iPhone 3G, I found the myTouch is highly prone to showing fingerprints--which are especially prominent on its screen. The only element that didn't attract fingerprints was the matte stripe that runs around the edge of the phone.
Other design touches I appreciated were the well-cut, light-up navigation buttons beneath the screen (Home, Menu, back, and search--a new addition) and the deep well that surrounds the smooth navigation trackball. Also, the volume rocker is longer and easier to press than the one on the G1. The back slides down and off easily, and the microSD Card slot is accessible without your having to remove the battery.
I didn't like the placement or size of the oblong Talk and send/power buttons, however. These critical buttons were unduly small, and I often inadvertently hit the power button instead of the back button because of their proximity. Also annoying is the design decision to have the mini-USB port at the bottom double as the headphone jack; as a result, you have to use HTC's proprietary headphones or add a dongle for regular headphones. At least the port is free and clear, and omits the troublesome cover that the G1 had. Another positive: The included headphones are more stylish than before, and proprietary USB-to-headphone dongle is thinner. It actually felt like an acceptable extension of the headphone's connector, and not the annoying add-on cable included with other HTC handsets.
