T-Mobile announced two mid-range Android 2.3 (“Gingerbread”) phones from LG Electronics, featuring set-up wizards and how-to guides for novice users. The 3.8-inch MyTouch and the 3.5-inch, QWERTY slider MyTouch Q are equipped with 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, five-megapixel cameras, and support for T-Mobile's HSPA+ 4G network.

Tipped with minimal detail earlier this week in a "now you see it now you don't" web-page flash, the latest members of T-Mobile's MyTouch family of Android smartphones were unveiled by the carrier Oct. 6  and slated for a pre-holiday release. Whereas all earlier MyTouch phones were built by HTC, the new MyTouch and MyTouch Q were manufactured by LG Electronics.

Earlier MyTouch phones included the 3.2-inch MyTouch 3G — one of the very first Android phones to reach market back in 2009 — and the latest 3.7-inch MyTouch 4G Slide. (The 4G Slide is the most powerful MyTouch to date, with a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and an eight-megapixel camera.)

MyTouch Q (left) and MyTouch
(Click to enlarge)

None of the MyTouch phones have exceeded that size, and they've all featured curvy designs and marketing campaigns that have been subtly focused on women, not unlike Verizon's new HTC Rhyme. The new LG MyTouch phones continue these traditions, although with slightly diminished curves, and T-Mobile is marketing them at newbies who don't take naturally to the inner mysteries of Android.

Both the MyTouch and QWERTY-enabled MyTouch Q add to the Android 2.3 experience a number of features aimed to get novice users up and running quickly. These include a set-up wizard that helps users get rolling on email and social network integration, a "Tips Widget" that offers a "how-to" overview of features, and a collection of instructional videos.

The phones also provide T-Mobile's previously fielded "Genius Button," which enables "one-shot" voice commands for calling, texting, or searching the web, according to the carrier. Additional software includes Android Market and Google Maps, as well as Netflix, YouTube, and "T-Mobile TV in Mobile HD."

Both MyTouch models feature 1GHz single-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, placing them firmly in the mid-range of Android phones. The MyTouch offers a 3.8-inch touchscreen while the MyTouch Q is equipped with a 3.5-inch display and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, says T-Mobile.

They both offer modest five-megapixel cameras with 720p video recording, while the larger MyTouch also supplies a front-facing webcam with access to T-Mobile Video Chat, powered by Qik, says the carrier. The MyTouch is said to be available in black or white, while the Q model may be found in gray or violet.

T-Mobile makes no mention of the speed of the particular 4G HSPA+ support offered, but PhoneArena says the MyTouch and the MyTouch Q support the carrier's fastest 42Mbps service. The publication also fills in some more specs, including the presence of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, as well as a microSD slot, micro-USB port, 3.5mm audio port, and a full slate of sensors.

The MyTouch measures 4.82 x 2.5 x 0.40 (122 x 64 x 10mm) and weighs 3.8 ounces (108 grams), says PhoneArena. The 1500mAh battery is claimed to last nine hours for talk and 456 hours on standby.

The MyTouch Q measures 4.76 x 2.5 x 0.51 inches (121 x 64 x 13mm) and weighs 5.64 ounces (160 grams), says PhoneArena. The 1500mAh battery is claimed to last only 3.3 hours of talk time and 280 hours standby. (The difference in claimed battery life between the two models, seems extreme — even considering the QWERTY slider variable — so this is a good time to pass on PhoneArena's caveat that it cannot guarantee its posted specs.)

Availability

The LG-built MyTouch and MyTouch Q will both be available in time for this year's holiday season, according to T-Mobile, which did not list pricing. More information and notification sign-up may be found on T-Mobile's MyTouch/MyTouch Q product page.

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