The handset, HTC’s Magic smartphone, will use a Chinese-language version of the Android operating system with some modifications to meet the needs of China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile carrier . with more than 500 million subscribers.

The touchscreen phone, to be sold under the Dopod brand in China, will come equipped with China Mobile applications including the firm’s instant messaging client, a mail service and a download platform for songs and pictures, according to the Web site of HTC.

Huawei Technologies, a Chinese telecommunications equipment provider, also previously announced an Android-based phone for China, but its handset is scheduled for sale in the third quarter.

HTC?s previous handsets were based on the Windows Mobile OS but last year offered an Android-based smartphone, the G1 in the U.S.

Phones based on the Open Mobile System OS, a version of Android modified by China Mobile, are also expected in China this year. HTC, Lenovo, Samsung and LG are all developing the handsets, called “OPhones,” according to telecom research firm BDA.

But Lenovo’s handset, originally earmarked for sale as China’s first OPhone this month, may not go to market until the third quarter, said Lei Shi, an analyst at BDA.

China Mobile developed its OS partly to promote the use of its own applications and value-added services, said Shi.

There’s no final word on price yet, but industry experts estimate that HTC’s new China phone will retail for about 5,000 yuan, or about $730.

The OPhones could be HTC?s way to double sales in China this year from 800,000 units last year, according to news reports. Market giant China Mobile may not be the only operator offering the handset. HTC Chief Executive Peter Chou said HTC may also offer Android-based models through China Telecom and China Unicom.

The OPhones will be competing against Apple’s iPhone, which is expected to be offered by China Unicom by the end of the year.

Source : Konaxis