Samsung Galaxy i7500 heads to O2

The latest phone to hit the market equipped with Google’s Android operating system has been announced this week as available to UK consumers on the O2 network.

However, although all of the previous devices to come with the software – such as the Magic, Hero and T Mobile G1 – have all been built by HTC, this latest handset comes from a South Korean manufacturer.

The Samsung Galaxy – which also goes by the name of the i7500 – is in stores now and in addition to the Android platform, O2 have claimed there are a number of other options that could make it tempting for some.

Boasting a 256 Mhz Qualcomm chipset, five-megapixel camera, 3.2-inch AMOLED screen with 320 x 480 pixel resolution, 3G support, Bluetooth 2.0 and Wi-Fi, as well as 8 GB of internal memory expandable to 32 GB via a MicroSD card, the network explained the model is the latest in its collection of top-end phones.

Steve Alder, general manager of devices for the carrier’s parent company Telefonica Europe, said: “O2 has become the home of smartphones and launching our first Android-powered phone with Samsung is a key part of this.”

“What I love about the Samsung Galaxy is the great user experience and the fantastic range of apps it brings to even more customers,” he noted.

Samsung Mobile UK’s vice-president Mark Mitchinson added: “The Samsung Galaxy is one of the most innovative and high-quality Android-powered devices on the market.”

Other Android smartphones available include the HTC Magic, which is exclusive to the Vodafone network.