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The latest Android mobile phone to be widely available in the UK has arrived on Vodafone’s network, which may mean it’s a good time to see what it has to offer.

In February this year, Vodafone announced a partnership with HTC Corporation that would bring the HTC Magic smartphone to its customers in the UK and across Europe.

Exclusive to Vodafone in Britain, Spain, Germany and France, the phone is available for pre-order now and will be fully available nationwide from May 5; So far, it will be the second general launch device in the UK to be powered by Google’s Android operating system (OS), the first being the T Mobile G1.

However, it’s not just the innovative operating system that HTC Magic has to offer. The device is packed with a number of features that will make it a real competitor to rivals like the BlackBerry Storm and Apple iPhone 3G, as well as its predecessor G1, which was also made by HTC.

The Magic offers 3G, HSDPA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as GPS navigation and quad-band technology. Also on board the model is a 3.2-megapixel camera and a host of multimedia features, including an audio and video player, all accessible, of course, via the unit’s 3.2-inch QVGA touchscreen. with integrated user interface.

Patrick Chomet, Vodafone Group’s global head of handsets, said the reason the network sought to get this latest Android device from Google into its collection was based on its commitment to bringing the best available technology to its customers.

“After joining the Open Handset Alliance, we have worked closely with HTC to bring this great new phone to market. Our customers want access to a wide range of the most attractive mobile devices to help them make the most of their time – HTC Magic helps meet that need,” he added.

Peter Chou, Chairman and CEO of HTC Corporation, said the partnership with Vodafone was something the company was proud to have embarked on and would go a long way in bringing its mobile phones to users in Europe. The synchronicity of the Magic with the Android operating system was also highlighted.

“HTC Magic embodies the compact style and sophistication HTC is known for, with the powerful and intuitive Internet experience the Android platform was designed for.”

Since then, Vodafone has also announced details of the fees that the HTC Magic will include when it launches in May. The firm revealed on April 20 that it would make the device free with two-year contracts at a price of £35 per month and, for this, buyers could expect unlimited mobile internet, as well as 600 minutes of free calls and text messages. unlimited text. Also, the phone would come with a 2 GB memory card to store music, photos and other data files.

The device’s cool white design is likely to evoke memories of the Apple iPhone 3G or even the T Mobile G1 in some, and with newer additions to the market, such as LG’s latest Arena KM900, as well as the upcoming Nokia N97. , it is clear that the HTC Magic will have a lot of work.

Ahead of the phones’ launch next month, some reviewers got a chance to test out the HTC Magic a bit and offered their thoughts on how it compares to previous handsets, in particular the G1.

In an article for Techradar, Gareth Beavis said that the half hour he spent with the phone recently gave him a chance to put the device through its paces and the first thing he noticed was the device’s slim and lightweight design, which suggests it might have been possible. thanks to HTC’s decision not to equip the phone with a full qwerty keyboard.

Compared to its predecessor, the article said that the touch screen had also undergone some positive changes, stating that it had more in common with the sensitivity one might see in an Apple phone or even the new Palm Pre.

“The interface, which uses the latest version of Android Cupcake, is clearly better,” added Mr. Beavis. “With little tweaks like being able to flag messages in Gmail and then assign them to a label or delete them, making the experience a little more enjoyable.”

A bit of irritation was noted with the phone’s display settings when using the mobile web, but with Google features and the Android Market integrated with the same level of care as on the G1, the reviewer added that it was well equipped. to resist Apple and its online app store.

Another point raised was the omission of the qwerty keyboard which, while making the unit more ‘svelte’, means you have to rely on an on-screen keyboard which isn’t as simple to operate as HTC would like you to believe.

“The keyboard covers a lot of the screen, doesn’t leave you much to type on, and if you’re working on something you need to see while you type, this isn’t the best,” he advised. However, Mr. Beavis concluded that, overall, the HTC Magic is “certainly a step up from the G1 and will probably be the best Android mobile phone for a while.”

When IT Pro’s Maggie Holland got a chance to test the device, its good looks were once again highlighted, as was its “very light and slim” body. The user interface was rated “excellent” and the screen’s touch sensitivity was praised for being set to the correct level of sensitivity.

While rumors abound that manufacturers including Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson have a host of Google Android phones on the way, the HTC Magic is here and now; it might be time to check it out.