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HTC Magic video review

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The Magic feels very much like the phone that Google should have used to originally launch Android. It's far superior to the G1 in terms of looks and usability, while enhancements such as the addition of the dedicated search key and tweaks to the user interface are also very welcome. It's only really the lack of multi-touch support and a few rough edges such as the iffy accelerometer that hold it back. On the whole though, we'd say it's the second best smartphone available on the market today, just behind the iPhone. And considering we hold the iPhone in such high regard, that's no small praise. Read full review

Overall

9/10

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By Niall Magennis
Reviewed 13 May 2009
Updated 26 May 2011

Price as reviewed

free/subscription

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Reviewed by Niall Magennis
13 May 2009

Read the full HTC Magic review

Awards

HTC Magic details

Performance: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Features: 9/10
Design: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

Price as reviewed

free/subscription

Manufacturer

HTC

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Malderon

2:31 AM on 13 May, 2009

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Wow, to be honest I wasnt expecting such a positive review - given the previews. I'm on vodafone and my Storm although great when it works, has already developed some serious hardware faults. Maybe I'll try and get one of these out of Vodafone C.S. though I don't fancy my chances.

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RossMaclean

2:43 AM on 13 May, 2009

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I need to ask why are all the images of the phone rendered images rather than images of the physical handset?

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ffrankmccaffery

3:41 AM on 13 May, 2009

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Although it maybe somewhat superficial to say but the general interface of this and other android smartphones seems toyish in comparison to the slick and professional looking winmos and iphones

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rav

9:13 AM on 13 May, 2009

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Been waiting for this review. Looks great and I'm really tempted but have to see what Palm pull out of the bag first. Also the Samsung Android phone looked slick too.

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Ed

10:04 AM on 13 May, 2009

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@Ross: It's because a freelancer wrote the review and freelancers aren't paid to take photographs. As we haven't had the phone in the office ourselves we haven't been able to add our own photographs and we can't just steal other peoples pictures to make up the difference.

@ffrankmccaffery: I know what you mean but in the flesh these look and feel every bit as professional as any other smartphone.

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Ninjakettle

10:07 AM on 13 May, 2009

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@ffrankmccaffery

I agree in part - i wonder if skinning will be the next big feature?

Good review guys. It's a nice handset, though I'm hoping the better looking, slightly better specced samsung i7500 will have the edge over this.

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clotheyes

10:53 AM on 13 May, 2009

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Shame this review was written by a freelancer who didn't have a vodafone magic (or if he did - hasn't mentioned the limitations of the Vodafone build). Recommend anyone looking a getting one of these should check out Vodafones e-forum on the magic to see the chatter this has generated. Changing from a winMo to the vodafone magic some of the things you lose are - Exchange Activesync (without a paid app), voice dialing) - I should know - I have one! If you can live without these things - it's a great phone (I'm learning to get by) - just be aware of the vodafone specific nuances!

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Williamn

11:33 AM on 13 May, 2009

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Does anyone know of phone rental service? I want to really try out a touch screen phone before I commit and a 5-10 min demonstation in the shop just doesn't cut it.

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kdot

12:46 PM on 13 May, 2009

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@Williamn: never heard of one but you can buy a phone and get 7 days or so to return it no questions asked, not 100% sure if this is just online (i believe it can be bought in the shops as well but recently have heard different but that could be a sales person lying tbh) it doesnt hurt to ask what the returns policy is if the phone does not suit your needs.

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scotw

1:18 PM on 13 May, 2009

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I had a few minutes with a friends one the other day. Its a nice handset (a bit girly in white), very nice interface and screen, good apps and store. The feel is quite different to the iPhone, but its the first OS I've used that comes close. It'll be an exciting match between those two and the pre....

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