T-Mobile's Magic / Sapphire / myTouch / G2 getting 5 megapixel cam?

It's pretty unusual for a manufacturer to take a global model and swap out a component as significant as a camera for one carrier, but it looks like that might just happen with T-Mobile USA's myTouch -- or G2, or Magic, or Sapphire, or whatever the heck it ends up being called. Boy Genius Report's leaked picture of the back of the carrier-branded handset prominently says "5.0," and since it's safe to assume it's not packing a 5.0-liter V8, this is probably referring to sensor res. That would be a marked upgrade from the 3.2 megapixels launching on the Magic everywhere else -- and interestingly, this kinda falls in line with T-Mobile USA's seemingly active effort to launch high-megapixel devices across the lineup over the past several months. This is more solid evidence than a spec sheet -- since spec sheets have a tendency to be filled with fallacies and typos -- but we'll hold off on saying this is a lock until the phone launches.

[aclsmb Posted May 8th 2009 4:08PM]

Does anyone know why these seemingly nice HTC phones never have flash with their cameras?

[(Unverified) Posted May 9th 2009 3:32PM]

The Touch Pro does...

[BootsMcGavin Posted May 8th 2009 4:22PM]

the "MEGA PIXELS" verbiage immediately following the "5.0" would also indicate that it is probably referring to sensor res lol

[SParklingCYaNide Posted May 8th 2009 6:14PM]

Wow I'm Surprised they'd do this!

Makes sense tho considering this could Explain just why it's taking so long to release on TMob USA, switching out a component such as the Camera for a new one would take a little bit of time.

Interesting.

[droom Posted May 8th 2009 8:14PM]

Any 3g phone made for T-Mobile has to be custom made anyways for the AWS bands. If you are replacing the antenna chips, the camera chip wouldnt be much of a reach.

[ManoloDF Posted May 8th 2009 9:25PM]

Remember the tmo-USA version also has UMA so that is an implementation they have to test and I believe this is their first with a 3g device, so that could be the bulk of the delay, making sure it works with the hotspot@home. I am not certain if the vodafone releases had UMA in them or not.

[(Unverified) Posted May 8th 2009 6:51PM]

who cares about t-mobile its all about coverage and t-mobile sucks

[SParklingCYaNide Posted May 8th 2009 7:23PM]

finally a nice construtive comment that actually helps. Thanks.

[metric Posted May 8th 2009 6:51PM]

This is great news! The one feature about this phone that was holding me back. Decisions decisions....Pre, G2, Omnia HD, and Touch Pro 2...hmmm

[iCello Posted May 8th 2009 7:35PM]

Go with the one with the best OS. Omnia HD and Touch Pro 2 have by far the best hardware but unless you for some reason love Sympian or WinMo they would be awful.

[Henzapper Posted May 8th 2009 7:02PM]

I hope they're not using the button layout in the photo though. I prefer the new layout that the Magic has everywhere else with the square buttons and the extra search button. Anyone else with me here?

[(Unverified) Posted May 8th 2009 9:45PM]

I haven't seen confirmation that this phone will have UMA yet. I'm hoping it does, and I haven't seen any confirmation that it won't.

If it does, my iphone is going to ebay.

[xxqbnxx Posted May 8th 2009 11:39PM]

When it passed FCC i believe it had UMA as a feature and 5mp has been known since the FCC filing, im with Henzapper i like the Magics layout vs this one

[(Unverified) Posted May 9th 2009 3:51PM]

Symbian is quite nice if you know how to use the system. However, you still might prefer another OS. No need to "flame" other OSes, just say you prefer (insert your preference here).

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 22nd 2009 6:43PM]

Confirmed just now, MyTouch will NOT have UMA. :(