A reader, marvinlee, alerted me to a smartphone from a relatively unknown company (called Samart Communications) that goes by the name of i-mobile. I know this company’s phones rather well – after all, I own one of their featurephones. Samart is a Thai company, and in Malaysia, I believe they have entered into a partnership with Celcom Axiata to operate the BlueCube stores which are basically Celcom’s retail outlets.
So, back to the i-mobile Android smartphone – it’s called model number 6010, and it’s on sale in Malaysia, mainly through the online channels. You can search for it on lelong.com.my or mudah,my – at the moment, only one company seems to be selling it, for RM 868. So, a sub RM 1,000 Android smartphone, which is a pretty good deal for someone intending to check out Android without wanting to splurge out too much money for it.
Sadly, the detailed specifications of this phone is hard to come by, but I did find something on i-mobile’s website. As far as I can tell, it’s missing 3G support, meaning the phone is EDGE only. It also does not seem to have GPS. And I have no clue as to what version of Android it is running! It has a 1200mAh battery, Bluetooth, WiFi, microSD card support, a 3″ inch screen with 240 x 400 pixel resolution. Check out more specifications below.
I am almost tempted to just buy one to check it out, but sadly, all my money is gone, in anticipation of the iPad. Sorry. But I will post more details if I do come across this model in any of the BlueCube outlets.
Thanks, marvinlee!
this phone already available here, but I have no interest because of EDGE and 3 inch screen only…
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
@artic, ooo, if you win lottery, buy one and review for us la!
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artic_xp Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
nak beli lottery pun no money laaa….
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
@artic, pinjam sikit dari ah long indonesia la!
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Resistive screen I presume?
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
@Jack, I would imagine so, for that price. The specifications page is sadly, very thin…
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You’re most welcomed
This phone probably is a target to those ready to convert from basic mobile phones to smartphones, using EDGE/GPRS when required so probably no need to change existing mobile plan yet.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
@Marvin, I think you are right! Do let us know of any other Android smartphones you come across, ‘k?
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I have seen ads in newspaper about this phone yesterday
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
@annyzen, I haven’t read yesterday’s papers, to be honest, so that must be why I have missed it!
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wat if its an imitation UI like the CSL G2?? and btw, all csl phones are actually those really cheap clones from China that are BRANDED UNDER THEIR NAME! ive seen an engadget video showing their team going to chinatown in the us and looking at all the clones, and some of them, such as the blueberry and EVEN THE G2 were there! they looked exactly the same! except there wasn’t CSL on it!
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
@jonrulezz, hahah, yeah, CSL does indeed rip off a lot of major brands in terms of the UI. One wonders why there hasn’t been a lawsuit or demand asking them to stop doing it eh?
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Malaysia is being flooded with look alike clones branded under various names. There are even look alikes of the HTC Magic now.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
@Jack, seriously? There are ripoffs of the Magic? Ada gambar ka?
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Pingback: Cheapest Android Phone In The Market? Anyone? | Blogjer - Technology at a glance
Can try to find also on Sheryna.com.my, I saw something there…
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Dude.
Tried that 6010. Works well for 1 week. Then crashed with core error. Sent it back to the seller and switched to Sony-Ericsson for double the price. SE X10i is doing okay for now.
Drawback is the battery charge of these kinds of phones, too short. Needs charging daily, else you should have your portable chargers with you all the times.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
July 15th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
@Aznijar, I don’t even know what a core error is, but it sounds rather bad…the battery issue affects both the 6010 and the SE?
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ps:
I paid RM799 for my I-Mobile 6010 at Mines Shopping Complex.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
July 15th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
@Aznijar, thanks for sharing. Not too bad a price…
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