HTC Magic up for pre-order from Vodafone: due out May 5th, free with monthly plan

While the jury's still out on its US name or release date, the HTC Magic is gearing up for its European debut by way of Vodafone. The pre-order page is now live with an irresistible price of zilch, provided you agree to a monthly plan of £30 or more. The company says it plans to ship out the Cupcake-powered phone by May 5th.

[Via Phandroid; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 17th 2009 8:37PM]

I can't wait for T-Mobile to launch this bad boy.

US specs call for US/Euro HSPA, Quadband EDGE, WiFi and UMA for launch on this side of the pond.

This will be my first Android based handheld.

[metric Posted Apr 17th 2009 8:56PM]

Possibly mine as well. Waiting to see how the NAM versions of Touch Pro/Touch Diamond 2 turn out, and whether we get an Omnia HD or N97 with NAM 3G.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 18th 2009 8:53AM]

Isn't it cute how Americans always find it amazing to find phones free on contract?
:D

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 18th 2009 9:02AM]

How did they manage to fit 7 buttons on the chin? CHRIST.

sodomombeeches.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 18th 2009 10:33AM]

Without bringing down scorn on myself - why would I go for the Magic over the G1.

I like the idea of keyboard and was considering Palm Pre.

What are the improvements in the Magic over the G1 really?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 18th 2009 3:14PM]

Have you actually gone into a T-Mobile store to play with a G1? I really wanted to like it, but honestly it feels cheaper than the Nokia flip phone you can pick up for free. The plastic looks budget. The screen flip-out mechanism, while kind of cool, is so loose you could easily squeeze a credit card or two between the screen and the keyboard while it is closed.

The whole thing just looks slapped together. The Magic, on the other hand, looks solid. That is enough for me.