T-Mobile (Huawei) Prism on sale now for $20

Need an Android phone for not much dough? Live in a reliable T-Mobile 3G area? Then you might want to consider the “T-Mobile” Prism, Huawei’s latest de-branded device for the American carrier. The Prism is low-end in every sense of the word, but that doesn’t necessarily mean bad – and the low-end is moving forward nearly as fast as flagship devices are. The biggest improvement here is the 3.5-inch 480×320 touchscreen, markedly larger and sharper than the 3.2-inch screens that typify the category.

Other specs include a 600mhz processor, a 3.2 megapixel rear camera (no front-facing cam) and an empty MicroSD card slot. The software is Gingerbread, but refreshingly, there’s no manufacturer skin in place – Huawei doesn’t have a “branded” interface like Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG, Sony… OK, everyone. While not exactly the belle of the ball, the Prism looks decent enough for a budget phone. Keep in mind that the connection is 3G only, and the Prism doesn’t have access to T-Mobile’s “4G” HSPA+ network.

There is a bit of a hiccup when it comes to the price, however. The $19.99 price advertised on T-Mobile’s website is after a $50 mail in rebate. (I’ll pause to give you a chance to curse. You good? Continuing…) The full price of the phone is $219.99 less a $150 discount for activation – and no, you can’t qualify for the mail-in rebate without signing a new contract. Worth it? We’ll let you be the judge.