Updated: read our full review of the HTC Magic.

Back in February HTC and Vodafone sprang a surprise in Barcelona with the launch of the HTC Magic, but TechRadar managed to get half an hour in the Spanish sun in the company of the latest handset everyone's talking about.

The first impression is one of weight, or lack thereof. The decision to strike off the QWERTY keyboard might have helped make it more svelte, and has certainly contributed to a thinner design, but it makes the whole thing feel a little lightweight.

HTC magic

SLEEK: The new HTC Magic is slim and lightweight, but is it too flimsy?

However, we're sure that a lot of people will be enjoying the fact it could slip into your pocket unnoticed, and it certainly doesn't suffer from the fact it's been hitting the mobile phone gym to shed some weight.

Tap-tap-tapperoo

The touchscreen has also clearly been improved, with a more iPhone / Palm Pre-like sensitivity to the user's touch. Tapping on the screen was also improved over the G1, and HTC has certainly learnt some lessons on that front.

HTC magic

The interface, which uses the latest Cupcake version of Android, is clearly better, with little tweaks like being able to mark messages in Gmail and then assign them to a label or delete them making the whole experience a little bit nicer.

The unibody plastic chassis was interesting, to say the least, and will certainly please those that hated the look of the G1, with the bottom of the handset prominent. The jutting is still there, only it's a lot more refined and less ugly to look at.

HTC magic

CHIN: A jutting jaw looks a little unsightly on the HTC Magic

The trackball, which confused and delighted in equal measure on the G1, has made it past the QWERTY cull, and still allows easy access to scroll through messages / webpages.

However, such is the touch interface improved that you'll probably be happier flipping up and down through lists and menus, without the need to trackball around. Still, it's a nice touch and doesn't detract from the whole experience.

HTC magic

MINI-QWERTY: The keyboard is a little fiddly to input text on

The Android web browser, which is built on a Webkit, is also simple and does the job. Sliding around a page is nice and easy, and the ability to 'flick' up and down makes it easier to navigate. There's also a little plus and minus zoom icon set that appears should you need to get closer without all the rigmarole of the double-tap.