General Mobile Android-based dual SIM DSTL1 to hit Barcelona

As anyone could have guessed, Android is going to be all over MWC in Barcelona this February, and it certainly looks like General Mobile, known for its dual-SIM handsets (at least in those parts of the world where that sort of thing gets any play) will be getting in on the action with a little something they like to call the DSTL1. Aside from the chilled out demeanor and all-around dual SIMiness, this device packs in a 3-inch TFT touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash (made by Sharp), 4GB storage, WiFi, and a 624MHz Marvell processor. Also worth noting is the hardware's display, which, apparently at 400 x 240 could run into the same grief as Kogan's failed effort. Also missing -- and rightly pointed out by Android Authority -- are Android's required 5 hardware keys, but, it is a render, right? Due out in Q3 of this year, there's no price yet -- but you'll know as soon as we do. Promise.

[Via Android Authority]

Gallery: General Mobile Android-based dual SIM DSTL1

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[erhan @ Jan 27th 2009 1:07PM]

This is a sexy looking phone. I hope the dual sim is a lot better than the samsungs.

[Patrick @ Jan 27th 2009 1:24PM]

i agree.
WHY DO I NOT LIVE IN BARCELONA?
or...they can just bring it here. that gets my vote

[suicycle.com @ Jan 27th 2009 1:50PM]

The design is gorgeous; but the low PPI for a display that large is most unfortunate.

[TareX @ Jan 27th 2009 2:15PM]

Is it a slider? Because it sure is as thick as one...

Nice specs, horrible resolution. Pass.

[AMiSH PiRATE @ Jan 27th 2009 3:12PM]

sexy? I haven't wanted to make out with an android this bad since blade runner!

[Tor Slettnes @ Feb 2nd 2009 2:30AM]

@shugg,

Of course it has better specs than the iPhone - most things do. The specs are not the iPhone's selling point though.

Anyone claiming that this or that will be the "iPhone" killer fail to realize that. When it comes to "girly men" things like designing a user interface with the right sort of eye candy and interaction, noone beats Apple. (Starting with the simple fact that they have patented multi-touch interfaces..)

[Sean @ Jan 27th 2009 1:09PM]

Very nice, but wake me when the states gets something this sexy running Android.

*goes back to bed with his G1*

[Setnev @ Jan 27th 2009 1:18PM]

I agree, I dont think i would trade my G1 for anything.....but this. I like this phone, it's just too bad that HTC couldn't have made it and marketed it to the US. Truly this phone makes up for the hardware features the G1 lacks.

[Hashbrown Hunter @ Jan 28th 2009 6:18AM]

...why don't you import it? It's probably going to be sold unlocked.

[mike @ Jan 27th 2009 1:12PM]

I wish Dual-SIM got some attention in the US. I refuse to carry two phones.

[rpahk @ Jan 27th 2009 11:02PM]

Agree completely with both SIMs active simultaneously.

[broli @ Jan 27th 2009 1:13PM]

I never got why dual sim didn't spread out. It allows you to have two different numbers on the same phone wich is very handy for work and private use.

[Setnev @ Jan 27th 2009 1:27PM]

Cause most US cell phone companies want you to use their SIM card on their network and dont want you to use your phone on any other network or with another provider. Also, most people are very uneducated about the capabilities of Dual-SIM so imagine the support calls asking about why their phones wont do this or that or why this happens. The technology stupid people is the reason that carriers dont advance their technology that far and why we are still living with 2G is most places.

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 27th 2009 2:22PM]

"I never got why dual sim didn't spread out....."

It did spread out,.... in China unfortunately. With a price tag as low as $90, you can still get a working phone with camera, bluetooth, browser, player, maps, games, mms..... etc, and an extra SIM slot to boot.

[Barnstorm @ Jan 27th 2009 5:46PM]

@Setnev,
I always figured dual SIM didn't take off in the US 'cause we don't have enough GSM networks. Even if your personal phone is with T-Mo or AT&T, your work phone is probably on Sprint or Verizon (CDMA not GSM) so you've got no choice but to have 2 phones.

[rpahk @ Jan 27th 2009 11:07PM]

One reason is phones in the US are normally carrier provided so why should they make it easy for you to use another carrier?

[matt @ Jan 27th 2009 1:13PM]

Thank god this looks good, the G1 is fugly.

[Patrick @ Jan 27th 2009 1:23PM]

General Mobile!
*salutes*

[feerlessleadr @ Jan 27th 2009 2:34PM]

HIMYM!!!!!!

[Setnev @ Jan 27th 2009 1:24PM]

Why cause you've never heard of General Mobile before? Most people never heard of HTC before but they've been making phones for companies that call them different names.

[alex_dlc @ Jan 27th 2009 1:26PM]

i live in Barcelona and ive never heard of general mobile. i honestly doubt they would bring that brand here because no one knows it, most people have nokias, iphoines, sonyericsons, motorolas...

and OMG the video is so cliché. barcelona is much cooler than the stuff u see in the video.

[JWC @ Jan 27th 2009 1:50PM]

"iphoines" --> iphonies

Fixed that fer ya.

[fellosteels4k1 @ Jan 27th 2009 5:07PM]

wowow...dis looks like a nice phone

[Phoenix @ Jan 27th 2009 1:39PM]

I see 5 buttons at the bottom...?

I also see it looking exactly like the Touch Diamond's, but then again...

[idiot @ Jan 27th 2009 1:47PM]

don't worry i see it too

[Christian @ Jan 27th 2009 4:56PM]

Comparing with G1, the 5 buttons are Answer, Home, Menu, Back, and End Call (power switch)

This one doesn't seem to home or menu and you could say it's the big circle but that could also be equal to G1's clickable "ball" navigation. This one does have Answer Call 1st and 2nd SIM, Back, and End Call. Maybe it slides since there is a silver lining in between where the keyboard could be hiding with the other buttons but that wouldn't be smart.

I can't find any buttons on the side but I do see a stylus on the top right corner of the handset! this would be interesting if it does stylus... Bizarre that certain renders show 2 LED slots for possible notifications above the handset yet some doesn't have it I thought they could be buttons but they aren't.


P.S. Ugh I don't like how IE8 keeps doing a compatibility view on engadget.com's site...

[JWC @ Jan 27th 2009 1:51PM]

Looks damn good, better than the G1. I own a G1 and like it, but this phone is hawt-er.

[chrisci5 @ Jan 27th 2009 2:04PM]

No 3G specified, no GPS specified, smaller and lower resolution than the G1, no hardware keyboard...I'll keep my G1, thanks.

[ziggy @ Jan 27th 2009 9:36PM]

Front facing camera = 3G.

[TareX @ Jan 27th 2009 2:18PM]

Far Eastern companies English names are as cheesy and uncreative as John Woo's movies.

HTC - High Tech Computer
...and a mobile phone company called "General Mobile"...

[Aedhan @ Jan 27th 2009 7:00PM]

does this remind anyone of the HTC touch diamond. I mean the buttons look almost identical.

[Manos Lijeros @ Jan 27th 2009 3:20PM]

It might be 5 buttons, I certainly first thought 5...

I guess the "display" is an issue for many. I hear many people play computer games at some high resolutions like 2048 X 1536 using the new nVidia280. B, shrink that 22' monitor down to 3'... How many dots would be on a 3" diagonal on your 22" screen? Work that out for me will you?

The iPhone, at 320 X 480 looks great with my movies/video. Of course, perhaps we just want "more"...

[kadajawi @ Jan 28th 2009 3:09AM]

You usually hold a mobile phone closer to your eyes than a 22" monitor.

[superhobo @ Jan 27th 2009 3:25PM]

Mmm, want want want want want want want

[Hashbrown Hunter @ Jan 27th 2009 3:30PM]

I'd hit that.






...just sayin'

[john @ Jan 27th 2009 3:52PM]

If it had a side-slide qwerty, and support for North America (3G, language support, etc.), I'd be interested. But, no physical keyboard == no interest. Not even with that sexy design.

(is the 4GB via included MicroSDHC? hard internal storage in addition to a MicroSDHC slot? or what?)

[James @ Jan 27th 2009 5:10PM]

The real ieye is a fan of american cars.

[Mobius_1 @ Jan 27th 2009 7:03PM]

If this gets made, it'll be a Corvette amongst Saabs.

[projekt84 @ Jan 27th 2009 9:17PM]

Really nice phone, really sad for the screen resolution, however.

5.0 megapixel isn't going to mean jack with Android's pathetic camera mode (I own a G1, not worth taking a single shot).

[drewdoog @ Jan 27th 2009 9:57PM]

Loose the touchscreen and give us a physical keypad, throw professional optics on that sensor, ship it with a matte screen protector, and you got a damn nice phone there.

[Phil @ Jan 27th 2009 10:41PM]

GM shifts their product line FTW!

[Justin @ Jan 27th 2009 10:55PM]

This is so awesome I WANT!

[AT7 @ Jan 27th 2009 11:56PM]

anything that goes to Barcelona is instant win. Visca El Barca!

[Julio @ Jan 30th 2009 10:12AM]

Does anyone know if their is a website with a time-line for Android phone releases?