HTC Android TD-SCDMA phones?
- Joined: Oct 30th, 2008
- Posts: 38
Hi,
was just wondering what the state of play was regarding HTC phones in China?
I'm on China Mobile right now, and want to upgrade to 3G pretty soon. I would love an iPhone, but alas I don't fancy the 24-month contract and no WiFi (annoying) with Telecom, nor do I fancy an unlocked international iPhone with WiFi but no 3G.
The next best thing seems to me to be an Android HTC (I'm on Mac so I assume Google Android may be better for Mac users than Windows Mobile? Correct me if I'm wrong).
Are there any plans for HTC/Dopod to release an Android phone in China (that is TD-SCDMA compatible)?
I know they've announced the T8388/Qilin, but as far as I'm aware that's a Windows Mobile machine. The specs do look good though, with both WiFi and TD-SCDMA network, 3.6 inch screen, 5MP camera (although I probably wouldn't use a phone camera much, I have other cameras that I usually carry).
One last question is, is it even worth having 3G? How's coverage in Beijing/in the regions?
Ironfrost
Re: HTC Android TD-SCDMA phones?
None of HTC's Android phones have been released on TD-SCDMA yet. But they announced the Hero on Unicom's network as the Dopod A6288, as well as another Android phone called the A3288. Both of them will have WiFi and 3G.
If you really want Android + TD-SCMDA, I think some other companies already released handsets - the operating system China Mobile calls OMS or OPhone is actually just Android with the Google apps replaced with China Mobile ones. If getting an HTC phone is more important for you, HTC already released the Magic on China Mobile as the Dopod A6188, but without 3G.
I want to know though... why do you say "an unlocked international iPhone with WiFi but no 3G"? As far as I know there aren't any problems in that respect - Unicom uses the international WCDMA standard, so the 3G on imported phones should work fine. I don't have first-hand experience though, so don't take my word for it.
Use the nciku Mobile Chinese Dictionary - the same dictionary content as nciku.com, but for mobile phones (now also available offline as an iPhone app).
Phil
Re: HTC Android TD-SCDMA phones?
Thanks for your reply. About the Ophone, I would consider it if I were able to replace the China Mobile apps with the original Google ones. Would I be able to use the Android app store like users in the West?
The reason why I said that about the iPhone is that I heard somewhere that although the standard is the same W-CDMA, that there was some sort of difference in the frequency of the signal (something about 900/1800MHz frequency vs. 1700, I don't remember the details exactly).
Am I right in assuming all China Unicom 3G contracts are for 24 months regardless of whether you're using a Chinese iPhone or HK/USA one?
crce
Re: HTC Android TD-SCDMA phones?
well.actually Iphone still the best one among those brands.
if u don't wanna 3G function, just buy an iphone and use china mobile network.
also close 3G fnction button is a good choice, actually in all
around china at present, the 3G just a little quicker than gprs,but slower than wi-fi at home.
HK iphone is best choice,no lock inside,and very good quality,most of people use 2 years and no problems,even they treat it as a laptop!
Mobile service
teaman
Re: HTC Android TD-SCDMA phones?
Phil,
I know you started this thread a while ago, but here you go:
- I'm using a G1 that I bought at the cell phone market. Most of the dealers hadn't heard about it, but I just kept asking "do you have the google phone" and one of them eventually said yes. It cost about 2300 kuai
- It won't work on China Mobile's 3G network, but it will on Unicom's. It's a question of the network standard. Unicom uses the international one, Mobile uses a homegrown one and the hardware has to be specially modified for it.
- A bunch of new phones are slated to come out on China Mobile's modified version of android, but they've replaced the market, as stated above. I'd probably give that a pass. Apparently, all smartphones sold in China are supposed to have wifi disabled.
- On my unlocked G1, the market works, but you can't access paid apps.
- I think the 24 month contract for Unicom is just for the iphone, because Apple needs that extra cash. You should be able to get a 3G card from them easily.
croozn
Re: HTC Android TD-SCDMA phones?
I have a Nexus One on the China Mobile network. No 3G, of course, but China Mobile has invested huge money in Android and there will certainly be Android TD-SCDMA phones soon, if they are not on the market already.
Google is not pulling the Android business out of China...
jaa
Re: HTC Android TD-SCDMA phones?
Hi mate..Im using the g1 too and without 3g,,the phone is useless (cant even access marketplace). I have a question - are all the unicom 3g sims contracted? or can I buy prepaid??
IMHO iphones and google phones are useless function wise without 3g coverage,it's a waste of money to buy such a good phone if u connect it to a shitty 2g data connection,,,
philp
Re: HTC Android TD-SCDMA phones?
Hi, Phil here, just different name.
For some reason I still can't get over Android and bring myself to just buy an iPhone, even though I now know that Android in China is officially OPhone and that would mean no native Droid app store support. I have a PPTP VPN connection that might work through the net settings though, I know at least the iPhone allows for PPTP connections. Might be able to access paid apps through VPN connection and then use them on an everyday basis over normal WiFi.
I think I've more or less given up on trying to get a usable 3G connection in China and just stick with WiFi (and the potential to use my phone abroad when I move away, so probably won't be going the way of TD-SCDMA, unless something nice pops up for a reasonable pricetag- Lephone by Lenovo anyone?). I already have a China Mobile number and my mates would cringe if I told them I was going Unicom and it would be more expensive to call me. But here's a thought: do Unicom do a data-only plan, by any chance? I could get one of those for 3G applications and just use China Mobile SIM for voice and text, and use them both on any normal CDMA 3G handset, including iPhone, HTC Hero, Moto Droid. Does anyone envisage any problems with such a plan?
I also reiterate jaa's question: "are all the unicom 3g sims contracted? or can I buy prepaid??"
Ironfrost
Re: HTC Android TD-SCDMA phones?
I'm pretty sure their laptop USB dongles use SIM cards - perhaps you could take one of those and put it in your phone? Check first, but I can't think why it wouldn't work.
CDMA and WCDMA aren't the same thing. The iPhone and Hero are WCDMA, but the Droid is CDMA so it won't work with Unicom's network - the WCDMA version of that phone is called the Motorola Milestone.
AFAIK they're all postpaid, but if you just buy the SIM (i.e. without a phone) there's no minimum contract period, which is probably what you're really asking here.
Use the nciku Mobile Chinese Dictionary - the same dictionary content as nciku.com, but for mobile phones (now also available offline as an iPhone app).