T-Mobile G1 Cell Phone Review - Value & Comparisons

Value (3.5)
The G1 is currently priced at $179 with a 2-year contract exclusively from T-Mobile in the U.S. The least expensive voice plan available is $29.99, and the least expensive data plan for the G1 is $24.99 per month - carriers often require a data plan with a subsidized smartphone purchase, so this is not unusual. At this price, the G1 is on par price-wise with most of our comparison phones, though its new operating system and the still-developing 3rd-party application market for it make it less flexible than some, and will be a major consideration for those looking for a high level of extensibility. The G1 performed solidly in our tests, but it's still a bit of a novelty with this OS and only time will tell if it will prove to be a solid platform with the same level of functionality as other established platforms. Additionally, it has a meager amount of internal storage - far less than competing phones at similar price points.

Comparisons

iPhone 3G - The 2nd incarnation of the infamous iPhone is a polished and capable device. At $199 for the 8GB model with a 2-year contract with AT&T, a sleek and intuitive user interface, and now with 3G speeds and an App Store boasting thousands of 3rd-party applications, it is a compelling alternative to the G1. One of the most substantial differences between the iPhone 3G and the G1 is the lack of a physical keyboard on the iPhone 3G. Although our tests reveal that typing can go very quickly on the iPhone 3G, it's still not as comfortable to use for some, and the G1 may be more appealing comparatively because of this. However, the iPhone is fully capable of syncing PIM and media easily through iTunes on PCs and Macs right out of the box, as well as Exchange server synchronization to meet the needs of business users, neither of which the G1 can do.

HTC Touch Diamond - The Touch Diamond has a powerful, highly-extensible and well-established operating system, making it a good choice for those who are looking for this in their smartphone OS and/or already have a lot invested in Windows Mobile 3rd-party software. The Touch Diamond is one of our top-scoring devices, and is capable of quite a bit, though we could definitely do without the TouchFLO interface. It's also manufactured by HTC, but comes with a plethora of accessories right in the box, including an adapter to enable the use of standard headphones, has 4GB of internal storage, and is capable of recording and playing back video out of the box. It's also capable of full PIM syncing via Exchange or with common desktop applications. It is a CDMA phone on Sprint's network, so it won't be an ideal choice for international travelers, however, in comparison to the G1.

LG Dare - The Dare was definitely aimed at the iPhone at its release, and it came out an able non-smartphone device in our testing. In comparison to the G1, it's severely lacking in the extensability department, limited to a smattering of applications that can only be acquired from Verizon, and has no native email client or Wi-Fi. Like the iPhone 3G, it's missing a physical keyboard, but it can play back and record video. As another CDMA phone, it could also pose problems to the globe-hopper. The Dare is currently priced at $199 online with a 2-year contract.

Nokia E71 - The Nokia E71 is an exceptionally adept business-oriented smartphone using the Symbian operating system, another well-established platform with an abundance of 3rd-party applications available. It lacks the G1's screen real estate and has a smaller keyboard, but it's dimunitive and more pocketable. Like the Touch Diamond and iPhone 3G, it can easily sync with desktop PIM applications and via Exchange. As an unlocked GSM phone, it's also a good choice for the international traveler, though it's pricey at $500.

Sidekick LX - The Sidekick line is popular among teenagers with its QWERTY keyboard that makes messaging a breeze. It's similar to the G1 on paper with that spacious keyboard, large size, the inability to play back and record video, and few Bluetooth profiles, though it does not have a touchscreen or the same level of extensability as the G1. Its appreciable battery life puts the G1, and many other devices, to shame, and it has tasks and notes applications out of the box, which are conspicuously absent on the G1. T-Mobile offers the Sidekick LX for $199.99 with a 2-year agreement, and it's a very workable alternative to the G1 for those who want a more main-stream established device.

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