Key specs
Critic reviews
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“So, with all of that being said, should current G1 owners upgrade to the myTouch 3G? If you don’t mind a cramped virtual keyboard (portrait only, landscope is fine) and you’re in dire need of Exchange support, then go for it. If I was new to the whole T-Mobile/Android scene, I’d go with the myTouch. It’s smaller, sexier, and way better looking than the G1. You’ll miss the QWERTY keyboard at first, but you’ll adapt. It’s not as bad as you’d expect.”
“If you are looking to get into Android but are a a little weary of the complicated options it presents, the myTouch 3G may be just the phone you're looking for. T-Mobile has bundled some apps together to make the transition easier and more fun. You can also get lots of cool accessories that can be customized with your own images. One welcome accessory is a functional and interesting extended battery that connects to the base of the phone - not requiring an extra-deep battery cover like the third-party solutions available for the G1.The MT3G is slimmer, cuter, and less prone to creaks and squeaks than the G1. Removing the hardware QWERTY eliminated all of the major problems I had with the G1 hardware. The MT3G is not a perfect phone, but it is great on the web, good for messaging, and capable of email - though multi-touch (hopefully coming soon) is required to round out the experience. It works well as a music player and gives you a plethora of methods for personalizing the user experience - as well as the external appearance of the phone. Android and the MT3G are very young, and I expect both to grow (via updates) in the coming months.Thumbs up, but I'm waiting for some bumps to be ironed out before I would consider making it my personal phone.”
“The mobile landscape in August 2009 is vastly different from that of October 2008, when T-Mobile, HTC and Google first launched the G1. Competition in the smartphone realm is fierce, with solid entries from RIM, Apple and Palm already on store shelves. The latest Android handset from HTC and T-Mobile -- the myTouch 3G with Google -- is a huge leap forward compared to the G1, even if it subtracts some features found on the first Android handset. If you're looking for the freshest experience on a mobile phone that has lots of potential, the myTouch is a good place to start.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
If you liked the first Android phone, aptly named the G1, you’ll enjoy myTouch even better. It improves on its predecessor as all phones should, focusing on ease of use, customization, slicker and more attractive design, and meaningful functionality.
This is a direct descendant device, as opposed to just another phone that bears the backing of both Google and HTC. The point here is that a lot of smart people are working real hard to produce a newer, better device using the Android OS that has emerged and thrived solely on its ability to deliver and satisfy, rather than a so-so OS driven by slick hype.
Currently exclusive to T-Mobile, the HTC myTouch 3G, rebranded the HTC Magic, is a good choice for folks who have embraced the full-touch trend. And I do mean full-touch.
Aside from a few old school dedicated buttons nestled comfortably at the bottom of the display, and a trackball, this phone relies entirely on tactile interaction. No full QWERTY slide-out keyboard, no secondary means of data entry. And by the way, the trackball on the HTC Magic is not the entry point to unicorns and rainbows, as in the BlackBerry line; it is a navigation solution only, so set your expectations accordingly.
The HTC Magic boasts an attractive 3.2 inch 480 x 320 pixel resolution screen. It’s bright and crisp and very well built. Everything looks good on this screen. Colors are vibrant, icons have defined edges, and there is little to no bleeding on the edges.
The home screen consists of three primary panels which you navigate by swiping your finger across the display. The HTC Magic does allow for customization, letting you play with and arrange the default icons, delete them or place them in customized folders. Because the touch interface is capacitive, you do need to use your finger; a stylus or even a fingernail will not work. Also, the HTC Magic doesn’t let you zoom by pinching your fingers as the iPhone does.
One really nice feature is a tab at the bottom of the display which allows you to pull up the icon list. It’s clean and very manageable, so you will have no trouble getting to whichever app your want. And while certainly cleaner than other touch OS’s, it must be mentioned that, overall, the HTC Magic does not possess the simplicity and intuitiveness of the iPhone. (Touch screens are a big deal to customers, and using the iPhone as a baseline for quality and expectation is natural).
So what do you get? Well, the HTC Magic comes with a 3.2MP camera with video, expandable microSD memory storage, full HTML Browser, a starter set of applications with access to many more and a talk time rated at 7.5 hours and a standby time rated at 420 hours. (Please note that battery times vary based on personal use).
If you dig the Android OS, the HTC Magic is a competent phone that can be customized to fit into your world…mostly.
Review by: Scot Cerullo
What people actually want to know
When was the HTC MyTouch 3G released?
The HTC MyTouch 3G was released on June 22, 2009.
How long does the battery last on the HTC MyTouch 3G?
The HTC MyTouch 3G has a 1,340 mAh battery.
Where can I get support for the HTC MyTouch 3G?
Visit HTC's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the HTC MyTouch 3G manual?
You can view and download the HTC MyTouch 3G manual on our dedicated manual page.
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