GPhone 10 Percent Cheaper, Uglier Than iPhone
by John Paczkowski
Posted on November 12, 2008 at 12:50 PM PT
T-Mobile’s G1, the first smartphone based on Google’s (GOOG) Android operating system, really is as cheap as it looks. According to a new theoretical tear-down by research firm iSuppli, the G1 costs about 10 percent less to manufacture than Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone 3G.
The estimated bill of materials for the G1: $144. The estimated bill of material for Apple’s 8GB iPhone 3G: $160.
Now, iSuppli’s estimated bill of materials for the G1 is based on component and materials costs alone. It doesn’t account for other expenses like research and development, software, shipping and distribution. It does, however, account for “wow factor,” of which the G1 apparently has a paucity. Though Tina Teng, iSuppli senior analyst of wireless communications, described the G1’s interface as better than average, she said it “still has a gap to close with Apple’s interface” and “lacks the wow factor of some of its slicker competitors.”
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Comments
Give me a break – I just spent several hours today with the G1, and it is far better than the Apple phone (and I’m typing this from a Macbook Pro, so I’m not an Apple hater). The Apple doesn’t even have voice recognition – how 1990’s of them. My Windows Mobile HTC has had voice recognition for two years. My wife’s Blackberry has had it even longer. The free GPS with real time mapping is also better.
Posted by William Gentry at November 12th, 2008 at 4:06 pmOh – I forgot to mention – trying to type on the Apple is a lesson in frustration and poor interface engineering. Not so with the G1.
Posted by William Gentry at November 12th, 2008 at 4:07 pmThe G1 is not ugly. Cheap feeling, but not ugly. The iPhone will fade if it doesn’t enhance its appearance. Candy-colored buttons on black looks childish.
Posted by Timothy Bevil at November 12th, 2008 at 4:33 pmIm currently is Switzerland and cant wait to get the phone, any ideas when is the launch here
Posted by liang li at November 14th, 2008 at 9:06 pmI have the G1 and while it’s not as sexy, sleek, or cool as the iPhone it makes up for it in its functionality. I’d give the iPhone a 9/10 and the G1 an 8.5/10
Posted by Kristian Villanueva at November 19th, 2008 at 3:39 pm