Google’s Android mobile phone operating system is set to make its legal debut in China in June when China Mobile launches specially adapted handsets.
The Taiwan-based handset manufacturer HTC said China Mobile would start selling a customised version of the HTC Magic, a handset based on Google’s Android operating system, through its stores.
Analysts believe that a successful launch of a high-end handset for China Mobile subscribers could help remove hurdles to the entry of similar handsets such as Apple’s iPhone into the country, the world’s largest mobile market.
Financial Times reports HTC said the Android handset’s retail price is expected to be set at about RMB5,000 ($733) – more than 20% more than the price the G1 sells in the gray market now and about 10% more than the gray market price of the iPhone.