Is the HTC Smart an Android?

LondonLass

As per page 12 of issue 12 of the Tesco Phone Guide I purchased an HTC Smart thinking it was an android powered device. After an hour of reading the manual and tinkering with it, i can find no mention of android or marketplace or whatever. I've done some surfing on the htc site and it says that it is "Brew® Mobile Platform". Is this in any way an android phone?

Please help, as I only have until September the 5th to re-use my Clubcard Voucher Exchange if is has to go back!

lucylucky

The short answer is no - it is not an android phone.

LondonLass

Thank you for your quick reply. I am seething. Who proof reads these magazines!!!! Away for some calming herbal tea. Now to choose an alternative android phone from whatever limited range they have available. And if the person at customer service starts to argue with me ...

lucylucky

What phones do they offer that are genuinely android?

LondonLass

lucylucky wrote: »

What phones do they offer that are genuinely android?

Well page 12 says Samsung Galaxy S, Samsung Wave, HTC Smart (Ha!), X10, X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro (all Sony Ericsson).

lozzaman

Samsung Wave isn't Android either.

Oscar_The_Grouch

How much did you pay for it? I can't find any HTC phones on the Tesco website on PAYG.

The Samsung Galaxy is probably the best of that list, but I don't like it. I'd be tempted to give the phone back, convert the vouchers back to points and wait for some better phones to become available on their website!

maxtweenie

Oscar_The_Grouch wrote: »

How much did you pay for it? I can't find any HTC phones on the Tesco website on PAYG.

The Samsung Galaxy is probably the best of that list, but I don't like it. I'd be tempted to give the phone back, convert the vouchers back to points and wait for some better phones to become available on their website!

I've seen the Smart instore for £99. It's a very basic touchscreen phone, but I assumed it was an Android too. I'm sure they'll replace it because their brochure is clearly wrong if it's showing to be Android when it isn't.

LondonLass

maxtweenie wrote: »

I've seen the Smart instore for £99. It's a very basic touchscreen phone, but I assumed it was an Android too. I'm sure they'll replace it because their brochure is clearly wrong if it's showing to be Android when it isn't.

Yeah, it was ~ £100 down to ~ £80 if you spent more than £40 instore. Not difficult to spend £40 in Tesco with my family, so i converted £40 in vouchers into £80 and used that to purchase the phone. Not sure what happens to those vouchers when i ask for my money back, perhaps they will become £40 of clubcard vouchers again.

There is a bigger Tesco in Glasgow at St Rollox i might phone them and see if they have a larger selection.

dave2

I'd guess X10 mini maybe the closest thing to the Smart in terms of price range & screen size etc? Though should be a much better phone, and probably quite a bit more money (guessing can do better than £200).

Or HTC Wildfire if you can find it. If you're getting a contract I wouldn't be so surprised if by phoning a network and negotiating directly you could end up cheaper than Tesco even with a voucher.

Both are Android, though both have customised the interface a bit, which does not affect any Android features far as I know.

Of your list the X10 and Samsung Galaxy S are the best but will probably be priced north of £300

Oscar_The_Grouch

dave2 wrote: »

I'd guess X10 mini maybe the closest thing to the Smart in terms of price range & screen size etc? Though should be a much better phone, and probably quite a bit more money (guessing can do better than £200).

The X10 mini is only running Android 1.6 and there are lots of programmes out there that require 1.6 as a minimum point. I'm always a bit worried that you'll end up with hte programmes running, but very slowly or badly.

Others (with better knowledge of Android) will probably be able to advise.