T-Mobile Rapport

Editor's Review of the Rapport

T-Mobile's Rapport - essentially the network's own version of the Vodafone Smart and Orange Stockholm - promises to deliver Android on the cheap. However, can Huawei compete against the likes of HTC and ZTE? Read our review to find out.

Much like the Orange-branded Huawei U8180, the T-Mobile Rapport lacks the Vodafone Smart's appealing aesthetics - which includes funky customisable back-covers. Still, the handset's by no means a bad-looking handset, although we're not so keen on its unsightly chin.

The Rapport arrives running Google's Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS, although we'd been hoping for a taste of Gingerbread. Still, given the handset's all-round low specs the experience is by no means hindered by its outdated platform, which dresses its 2.8-inch (240 x 320) screen with all of the usual Google widgets. This includes access to the Android Market, where you can equip the phone with hundreds more apps.

On the media-front, there's a 3.2-megapixel rear-facing camera (sans flash). As you'd expect picture quality isn't fantastic, but its decent-enough for the occasional snapshot which can then be uploaded to Facebook and Twitter. You'll also find a built-in MP3 player with FM radio, and up to a plentiful 32GB of storage.

It maybe cheap, but the T-Mobile Rapport boasts speedy HSDPA and WiFi connectivity. Although browsing can be cramped on the 2.8-inch screen - and a little bit juddery due to the 528MHz onboard processor - this is certainly impressive for a cut-price smartphone.

Given its seventy-quid price-tag, it's hard to criticise the T-Mobile Rapport. Of course, it won't go replacing your Galaxy S2 or HTC Sensation, but it's a great little smartphone for Android first-timers, or simply those keeping an eye on the pennies.