T-Mobile offers Android on a budget

It’s taken a while but Google’s Android mobile phone platform is finally starting to gather pace as more and more manufacturers flock to the banner.

However, what the market has really been crying out for is a low-cost Android-enabled device that doesn’t require exceptionally deep pockets to afford.

Thankfully those cries can now be silenced as T-Mobile has just released The Pulse, which retails for a very reasonable £175.

The name may be new but what’s under the bonnet isn’t - this is essentially a rebranded Huawei U8220, which has been on our radar for a while now. Still, in terms of specifications it remains a tantalising prospect - there’s a 3.5-inch, 320x480 resolution touchscreen, wi-fi, 3.2 megapixel camera and GPS. You’ll even get a 2GB microSD card, which is better than a poke in the eye.

All of this is contained within a surprisingly thin and sexy frame, although it does look a little cheap and plasticy - presumably to keep overall costs low. There’s also no slide-out keyboard, although many of the new Android handsets - including the all-conquering HTC Hero - have done away with this feature, too.

If you’ve been intrigued by the promise of Android but haven’t yet taken the plunge then this could be the right time to jump in. We’ll be looking to review the handset soon, but if you’re particularly impatient then T-Mobile Pulse is available on both Pay As You Go and Pay Monthly.