Buyer’s Guide: T-Mobile Pulse Mini

If you're late the smartphone party you might be finding the choices available a little overwhelming. You might be finding them a tad on the expensive side too. While there are some choices for new or casual users, you seldom find them mentioned in the media.

They're often deemed to be too passé to be looked at but we've chosen to bring you the low-down on the T-Mobile Pulse Mini, an Android phone which won't break the bank.

The Pulse Mini is the younger sibling of the original T-Mobile Pulse, which was one of the original budget Android handsets and it aims to bring all the charm and functionality of its fraternal predecessor with less of the bulk.

Dimensions

On that front it's immediately successful. It may be ever-so-slightly thicker than the original Pulse but it's considerably shorter and narrower (106 x 57 x 14 mm) and while it won't surpass the likes of HTC's Desire or Motorola's Milestone 2 for build quality it does feel sturdy in the hand and the plastic construction certainly feels solid enough for the rigours of daily life. Also, as you'd expect for a phone with the word 'mini' in its title, it won't ruin the line of your trousers or weigh down your handbag, which is more than can be said for its brainier, more expensive cousins.

Specs

The specification of the device is impressive too, it offers Wi-Fi, 3G, GPS, 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash and is powered by a 600MHz Qualcomm processor which allows the Android operating system on-board, which is currently 2.1, to compete with its peers. The screen is a 2.8-inch touchscreen, though it is capacitive, but it's hard to deride the manufacturer's choice once you check out the RRP.

While we're on the subject, the manufacturer is Huawei, an award winning Chinese company known for their production of 3G telecoms equipment. Huawei have really taken up the challenge of producing good Android phones for customers who don't want to pay hundreds of pounds for the privilege of owning one and the natural evolution of their commitment can also be seen in the impressive IDEOS.

Pricing

The T-Mobile Pulse Mini is a device that really achieves what it sets out to. It won't light up the world and impress your mates down the pub but it will allow you to make use of all the latest Android apps and keep you in touch with those that matter (and some that don't) without forcing you to take on a crippling 24-month plan or setting you back the best part of £500.

Devices like this really personify the Android ethos. They pack the same operating system and application capabilities as other, more expensive devices and owing to the open source nature of the OS they can remain at an affordable price point.

Sure, there are niggles with the Pulse Mini and those that pick one up expecting a user experience to rival the HTC Desire or Samsung Galaxy S will be disappointed, but if you understand what the Pulse Mini is all about, and you're looking for a phone that is pocketable, functional and affordable you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Click here to compare all the T-Mobile Pulse Mini deals online