San Francisco Orange Smartphone - £99 + £10 top-up

This phone was released today, so no reviews yet. Only available on Orange, via their stores and website (not on the website yet as far as I can see).

Here is a press release from Orange regarding it:

http://newsroom.orange.co.uk/2010/09...san-francisco/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vhx9...layer_embedded

Now I guess I am missing something here, but this seems like an amazing bargain! After very nearly shelling out 300 sheets on a Desire, I picked up one of these new phones from the Orange shop today. I've only owned it for a few hours so can't really judge, but so far it seems ace!

3.5" OLED capacative screen (not as responsive as iphone, but still good)
Has a nice, basic design to it - doesn't feel too cheapy either (bit plasticky maybe)
Weight of 130g feels right for the shape of the phone.
Android 2.1 OS

All this for £99!!! Can't wait to see how it fairs in the long term. It has the exact specs that I want, for hundreds of pounds less than a Wildfire, Desire, iPhone etc.

bin lookin for a cheap android phone

Thanks for the heads up....Im sure we'd apreciate an update from you after you have used it for a few days.

not a bad looking phone that. anyone know what the manufacturer/model it is ? I'm wondering if theyre unlockable

Quote:

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Originally Posted by maltloaf

not a bad looking phone that. anyone know what the manufacturer/model it is ? I'm wondering if theyre unlockable

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I was wondering if they were unlockable..below is what ive managed to get about it (spec wise)

It’s got a 600MHz processor (faster than the Wildfire)
3.5" screen
Screen resolution of 480×800 pixels
150mb on board mem upgradeable to 32gb

http://www.mobileshop.com/blog/mobil...android-phone/

That looks like a fantastic phone for £99

when is it out

Now flump's all ready got one

Yup, bought one in-store today.

I've never had a high spec smartphone (upgraded from a Nokia 5800), it it certainly is no iphone or desire...but for £99 it seems great, I reckon they will sell like hotcakes.

that looks really good value, if its unlockable i might just buy one. cheers

This guy has already made custom flash roms for the phone....

http://android.modaco.com/content/zt...-i-go-in-here/

Also, my mate went to get one and asked if there was any discount for HP staff, they said it was £79.99 if he had a payslip on him, which he didnt....he goes back in the morning to get it, armed with said slip. Now thats a bargain !

Thanks to the OP..

I'm a bit green on touch screens but ..

Can you do the multi finger actions like pinch to make thing smaller or bigger with this phone's touch screen ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JonEp

Thanks to the OP..

I'm a bit green on touch screens but ..

Can you do the multi finger actions like pinch to make thing smaller or bigger with this phone's touch screen ?

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Yes.

whats the web like on 3g and wifi

Mini review

Had this phone for a few days now, and love it. My main comparisons while discussing it are against my Nokia 5800 phone that I've upgraded from, and also using my ipod touch.

The phone has a solid feel and quality finish. Even though it is plastic, it doesn't feel cheap.

The screen is nice and crisp, and is the same size as the iphone/itouch.

The capacative touchscreen isn't mega-responsive, but is still pretty good - much better than a resistive touchscreen.

Procesing power seems good.

Wifi and 3G work well. The built-in web browser is nice and slick whilke browsing the net.

Battery lasts about 24-36 hours with medium use. Not bad.

edit -> The camera is pants.

Main concerns

The power button at the top seems really flimsy. Feels like it's going to break at some point.

The maximum volume during phone calls is really low for some reason. Can hear what is being said on the other end, but only just. Not sure whether this is the way it is meant to be, something that's going to be fixed (phone is only 4/5 days old of course) or whether I have a faulty unit. Will give it a couple of weeks and see what happens.

Conclusion

For £100, apart from the volume issue noted above, this phone is amazing value for money. I love it.

now for sale on orange site, use quidco to get £12 cashback :)

Also to consider. If you're a council employee, you can get 10% off instore and 20% if you're an NHS employee :cool2:

dose it play flash

No it doesn't, i just tested it.

When i go to the adobe site, it says that flash 10.1 will be available for froyo soon. But this phone is on 2.1. Don't know if it will be upgraded in future

Im now unlocked, rooted, and de-branded, and very happy with this phone.