Best Phone Blog

It seems that there is a new trend that the Android operating system is starting; having larger screens. With no doubt, this all started with the release of the Dell Streak (also known as the Dell Mini 5); with its 5 inch capacitive touch screen display it further pushed the accepted limits on what size screen works with mobile phones and with the large interest in the device, it proved that people are willing to sacrifice having a larger phone if it meant having a bigger screen.

As if the 4 inch sized screen on the XPERIA X10 was not enough, Sony Ericsson took on the initiative that Dell started and pushed the envelope further –for about half an inch more.

There is a new Sony Ericsson Android handset that has appeared in a few leaked images just last week showcasing a device that used a 5.5 inch touch screen display. The device looks even more compelling and curious to see with the images which clearly showed the handset sporting a slide out QWERTY keyboard and a hinge that allowed users to set up the device like a small laptop.

Korean manufacturer Samsung has also been playing around with large touch screen displays and from the looks of their latest device, the Samsung Galaxy Tape, they have the largest and fanciest screen displays available. The new tablet-phone hybrid device sports a massive 7 inch super AMOLED touch screen display. With a faster CPU and specs that easily outmatch the Apple iPad, this tablet is poised to take command of the industry when it launches.

With all the new devices using the Android sporting giant touch screen displays, it would not be hard to imagine Google coming with a second variation of the open source operating system that brings more functionality for larger screen displays.

T-Mobile is offering two high end Android smart phones free on plans at £35 monthly tariffs.

The announcement is a welcome surprise to anyone hoping to bag any of the two devices when they come out in April. While Vodafone UK and Orange Mobile have also announced that they will be offering the devices as well, T-Mobile has put up the selling page for the phones. Ordering the HTC Desire will take up to 7 days before the device ships and the XPERIA X10 will take 10 days prior to shipping.

In both cases, the phones will be available for free with T-Mobile plans at two year contracts with a monthly fee of £35. Naturally, given the nature of the Android operating system, the best plans are the offers with unlimited 3G internet. The best deal for the Desire gives users 500 text messages, 1200 minutes of talk time and unlimited internet. The optimum X10 plan shares the same offer as well (but only with 900 minutes).

Those originally looking forward to the UK launch of the Google phone Nexus One might want to go for the HTC Desire instead. With the two phones sharing very similar specifications, their performance and handling of the Android OS are pretty much the same. Both have 1GHz Snapdragon CPUs, 3.7 inch AMOLED touch screens and 5 mega pixel cameras. Google’s Nexus One does have an advanced voice recognition software technology while HTC offers the Sense UI and 720p video recording with the Desire.

The XPERIA X10 comes with a 4 inch capacitive TFT touch screen, an 8 mega pixel camera and the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor clocked at 1GHz. This device will be followed by two Mini versions in May.

Get to know more about the T-Mobile plans and tariffs for the HTC Desire and the XPERIA X10 at Stuff TV.