Overview:
If you’ve liked the sound of a Google OS on your handset but aren’t the kind of person to commit to a long-term relationship with your partner let alone your network provider, fear commitment no longer with the first Pay As You Go Android phone. The T-Mobile Pulse has recently hit the high street but is it worth all the Android hype? Let’s find out.
Preview:
First things first, if you’re going to forgo the contract with the T-Mobile Pulse, you will have to pay a bit upfront: £176.16 to be exact. You do get £10 worth of credit with this price, but that’s not exactly a big chunk off the initial lay-out.
The Pulse is also available on a £15 a month contract, making it attractive to the budget shopper who isn’t afraid of yet another direct debit coming out of their account.
For your hard earned bickies you will find yourself with a very good handset for the price.
The T-Mobile Pulse comes with a 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen display, which is currently the largest on an Android handset. This does mean that the phone itself feels a bit wide, but it makes up for it with a thickness of just 13.5mm, which won’t stretch out any pocket.
The large screen, which also features auto-rotation, makes it easier to be accurate when typing out text messages and is also a great platform to view pictures and video.
There is a 3.2 megapixel camera with auto-focus on this handset, but no flash so you’re restricted to taking happy snaps in the day or under good lighting. This does mean you’ll have to say goodbye to taking pictures of your mates at a poorly-lit pub.
Connectivity-wise you get Wi-Fi, GPS and 3G which is all to be expected now days, even in this bargain price bracket.
Android benefits include very easy-to-use web navigation such as one touch links to both Google Search and Google Maps, so you don’t need to fret when trying to find that obscure coffee shop you’re meeting your blind date at.
From an aesthetic point of view the Pulse looks great with its smooth curving edges. There is also a small trackball underneath the screen as an extra navigational option for when you want to use your thumb instead of your index finger to ring mum.
The phone comes with 2GB internal memory plus a micro SD card slot for storing extra photos and music to keep you entertained.
As the first Android phone to go on PAYG, the T-Mobile Pulse ticks all the boxes feature-wise, and will make you want to use it enough to eat through your credit in no time.
The Gaj-It Verdict:
Design: 8/10
Usability: 8/10
Features: 7/10
Value: 9/10
We Say:
The T-Mobile Pulse is a worthy contender on the Android market with enough features to keep you interested without breaking the bank at the same time. We like the wide-screen and the bargain basement price tag, and think this handset will pave the way for other affordable Androids to hit the PAYG scene.