Vodafone will pull HTC’s Magic handset out of its hat next month, the UK network operator’s website has revealed.

Vodafone broke the magical news online

HTC’s second Android-based phone was officially unveiled last month alongside confirmation that Vodafone – rather than T-Mobile, UK carrier for the G1, HTC's first Googlephone – would be the handset’s excusive UK carrier.

Vodafone has, until now, kept mum about when the phone will be available in the UK. Unfortunately, it hasn’t named a specific release date or price for the G1’s rival, but has previously promised to offer Magic for free "on various price plans".

Unlike the G1, the Magic doesn’t have a physical keyboard but instead relies on a 3.2in, 320 x 480 touchscreen and a trackball. Under the shell is a 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7201a processor and 192MB of memory.

The phone will connect to 900MHz and 2100MHz HSDPA 3G networks - up to 7.2Mb/s download and 2Mb/s upload - and to all four GSM/GPRS/Edge bands too. It has 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. There's an integrated GPS pick-up, along with a 3.2Mp autofocus camera. ®