Since the advent of Android in 2009, the family of devices running Google’s mobile OS has grown from one handset to now hundreds and possibly thousands of unique models. In recent months, Android has seen an explosion of devices coming from lesser-known Asian manufacturers, with one of the main selling points being price. The manufacturers realized that with Android they had a readily and freely accessible operating system, a large market of potential customers, and all they had to do was put together a cheap device to capitalize on Android’s continued growth. Unfortunately, these devices often cut corners where things mattered the most – poor displays, resistive touchscreens, bad build quality and a litany of other crimes against the gods of consumer electronics.

One phone has stepped forward and separated itself from the rabble. The ZTE Blade, unveiled to but a murmur of interest at MWC2010 in February, has now made the existential leap from China to the United Kingdom, assuming a new identity as the Orange San Francisco. It is unclear what the relevance of the Californian city’s name to this device is, but Orange have established a pattern of naming their rebranded phones after American cities. Retailing at a mere £99 ($160) on pre-pay, you would be forgiven for lumping in the Blade with a whole host of other must-try-harders and moving on. However, take a closer look at the Blade’s spec sheet and your interest may be piqued…

maybe they gonna launch it after they launch the tab

Hehe. This phone very famous is Modaco

99pounds = RM491 onie 

Looks interesting. Cheap as well. Anyone importing? I wants one.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mo...o-901915/review

Can see here they compare this with optimus one ~~

mine's coming

whew,,,i like the design, spec just same with my phone now except the screen reso..anyone bring this in?pls pm me k or leave detail here.

i doubt many LYNners will go for this unless they can see the phone in the flesh first.

ANyhow I might sell off mine if I don't like Android

LOL! I have not used Android before but from what I can see after playing with it for awhile, it's great for customization and very fun to mess around with (rooting). Compared to iOS, iOS is super boring. But what I like about my iPhone is that I can buy a 16gb or 32gb phone and it works out of the box. No need to root/wipe out/etc and no need to splash extra cash for another microSD for space. My 32gb is filled already with music and apps... i don't think I'd like to spend an extra 300 for a fast 32gb microSD in addition to a 2K phone like the xperia Arc...

anyhow that's my gripe about android. Other than that, I'm liking the way you can customize the homescreen and the multitude of ROMs to choose from.

I must say, this Orange San Fran has a HUGE following over at Modaco and the number of custom ROMs it has really makes it a superb buy for you to mess around.

yeah! love the show!

btw, the wiki for the San Fran is real good - http://wiki.modaco.com/index.php/ZTE_Blade

Ur from Sarawak? Going back to vote?

icic... better make sure all your 21 and above friends vote, and make the right choice!

sounds good! this saturday we'll see if Sarawak is finally free!

anyway, back to topic, i'll post photos and a review once i get my SF

wow so few interested w this phone

Should post more pics on 1st post. Hehe

uhh, isn't this phone out quite a long time already? but its just not available here

I remember I saw this phone in a magazine few months ago

Yup... It's a good example of how much you can put in a phone and yet price it so cheap... Makes you feel ripped off by HtC, and the othe companies...

Played with the SE Arc today... Damn it's sexy

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Added on April 19, 2011, 3:09 pm@41LY45

bro, u interested in taking my orange san fran? coz i might be getting another phone before it arrives and i don't think i'll need 2 phones... it will be brand new. Just opened box to unlock, check phone, and stuck screen protector.

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Added on April 30, 2011, 9:07 amHmmm... Is this thread dead?

Its coming today!!! Think I'll open another "official" thread if this thread is still dead by the time I post up my reviee

i really interested with this zte blade...someone, where i can buy this phone in malaysia?