Android phone with keypad < £200 - possible?

[azngordy7]

Basically, a friend of mine was looking to get a new phone. The requirements were that it was running Google's Android OS, had a physical keyboard, and is brand new. The budget was £200.

I've been surfing the net for the past hour, and I couldn't believe I can't find one. Blackberry matched most of the criteria, but it wasn't an android, and the HTC ChaCha was a tad over the budget.

Can anyone help?

[gadgetman]

There arent many keyboard phones anymore as touch screens become more reliable and responsive.

I think you'll struggle to find one, but there are plenty of touch screens for that budget.

[Lemming]

Did the whole physical keyboard route as I used to hate touchscreens. Biggest mistake I made was an LG GW620 which eventually died.

Now got a Samsung Galaxy S2 and have to say I'm more than happy with a touchscreen keyboard. Amazed me that I could be converted at all.

[Hmmm]

Deal Extreme

Try these chaps. I've used them a couple of times and stuff does come, just takes its time. Other people I know have used them and have had no complaints.

[Robshaw]

£300 is full of options - However have found a few different ones below:

http://www.clove.co.uk/motorola-pro-plus

http://www.clove.co.uk/zte-tureis

http://www.clove.co.uk/htc-chacha

In short, these are more budget phones but do meet the specification. If they are feeling brave then you could always root the phone itself with a different OS as I have done on my HTC Desire HD. Increased battery life and performance. I'm a geek though and wouldn't suggest you do it unless you know what you are doing.

Clove are a great company, let me know if your friend wants anymore information. I will be happy to help -

[lfc958]

I can tell you of 2 phones that have a qwerty keyboard.

i have a motorola milestone, which is andriod, have had it for just over a year, its a decent relable phone which can have roms of later versions loaded on.

I have been looking around for a possible replacement and the only other one that has both is the HTC Desire Z.

[Lornak]

I had a Samsung Galaxy 551 for about a day. That had a slide out keyboard but no HD video recording, apart from that a nice little phone.