T-Mobile G1 Cheaper to Build Than An iPhone

Based on the looks of the T-Mobile HTC G1, the first phone to run Google’s Android operating system, we may all have suspected this. But here’s the proof.

The G1 costs about $144 to build compared to Apple iPhone’s $160, based on a virtual tear down by research firm iSuppli.

The estimate includes only component and material costs for the G1 and doesn’t account for other expenses such as software, research and development, manufacturing and accessories.

The most costly segment of the G1 is the baseband at $29, or nearly 20% of the total cost. The baseband employs a combination of an ARM11 microprocessor for multimedia applications and an ARM7 core for modem functions, says iSuppli.

Next comes the display at around $20, or 14% of the total. The G1’s display is a 3.2-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with HVGA resolution at 320 x 480 pixels. The phone’s 3-megapixel camera represents about 8.5% of the total cost.

Though the G1 user interface is “above industry average,” Tina Teng, senior analyst, wireless communications for iSuppli says the phone’s industrial design and finish lacks the wow factor of some of its slicker competitors.

The G1 is priced at $180 with a two-year contract compared with $200 for an iPhone.

T-Mobile G1 Updating firmware manually

Generally, T-Mobile provides OTA updates to the OS, but if you have unlocked G1 or not in US/UK, you can still perform firmware update. Here, we will update firmware from RC-19 to RC-29. The firmware version( or Build Number) can be seen at Settings > About phone > Build number

As required with any phone mods, make sure the battery is fully charged or atleast more than 50%.
IMPORTANT : This update is known to work only on US G1 (TC4), don’t try this on your UK G1 (TC5)

Steps ::
1. Download the update zip archive.

2. Rename the archive to update

3. Copy the file to the SD Card.

Note : Connect the phone to desktop and then transfer the file. Don’t take out the SD card and use the card reader.

4. Turn off the phone. Hold the HOME button while turning on the phone. The phone will start in bootloader mode. You should see an exclaimation sign when it starts.

5. Press Alt + L, it will take you to the boot menu,

6. Press Alt + S, to start the update process. It will take a while so be patient.

7. When the update completes, it will prompt you to press HOME + BACK to reboot.

8 . After you reboot, the update will finalize and automatically reboot.

Thats it !