Wise Startup Blog

I know we’ve highlighted a number of supposed iPhone killers, before the iPhone 3G came out and literally-killed the iPhone (Apple stopped selling all versions of the original iPhone).

Apple really is the king when it comes to closed-environments, while Google has long touted itself as the ultimate open-source, free, ubiquitous platform. Will this play out in the phone world? We’ve already seen the huge issues Windows Mobile has had, and the Palm phone operating system is about to die, can Android and Google really be Goliath-killer with this G1 phone?

The G1 gPhone Sure Does Look Pretty

Well at least Google got lucky with HTC’s first Google Phone, the G1. It has a nice svelte finish, great big touch-screen display and a keyboard! Personally I’ve never been a big fan of the slide-out keyboards, as they never have the great tactility of the candybar Blackberries.

G1 vs. iPhone 3G

Well assuming the keyboard is a big decider for you, and you like the looks of the G1 (I do), so let’s see how the features stack up.

T-Mobile G1

* One touch access to: Search, Maps, Gmail, Youtube, Calendar, and Google Talk
* Gmail account and data plan required
* GPS
* 3.1 mp camera, no video recording
* No stereo bluetooth (A2DP)
* Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.16 x 0.63 in
* Weighs 5.6 ounces
* 480×320 65K color screen
* 5 hour talk time, 130 hour talk time
* Expandable up to 8GB
* Removable battery*

AT&T iPhone 3G

* One touch access to: Search, Maps, Gmail, Youtube, Calendar (integrated apps+app store)
* 3G data plan required and standard for AT&T
* Assisted-GPS
* 2 mp camera, no video recording
* No stereo bluetooth (A2DP)
* Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48 in
* Weighs 4.7 ounces
* 3.5″ LCD 480×320 163ppi
* 5 hour talk time, 300 hours standby
* Built in 8GB or 16GB memory

The phones physical attributes put the iPhone at slightly wider and thinner, and also a little lighter, while the G1 has a better camera, which is a big plus, and the ability to remove and replace the battery is a big PLUS for the gPhone.

Killer? I Think Not

The real killer right now for Google is their decision to go with T-mobile for the first launch. T-Mobile only has 3G in less than 10 cities, while AT&T has over 250 cities, making it a no-brainer for those people looking for obligatory 3G speeds. And speaking from experience, EDGE is HORRRRRIBLE.

Winner: iPhone 3G

So at this point, I don’t think the gPhone is much of an iPhone 3G killer, however, looking back at our original post, I think this Google Phone definitely stands a chance of being an iPhone EDGE-killer. The removable battery, better camera, Android app store (original iPhone had no app store), really push this phone over the edge.

That being said, I think a year from now, when the network differences are equalized, we’ll have a true contender for the iPhone 3G.

Until then, the Wise Startup Blog is happy to announce the iPhone 3G is still the king and champion.