Does anyone really expect Google’s Android-based mobile to be an immediate competitor to Apple’s iPhone? The phone, which is being made by HTC and launches first in the US through T-Mobile, is reportedly even being priced around the same as the iPhone at $199. But, several press reports are now surfacing dismissing the notion that the two should even be compared, for now.

First off, there’s the question of how to sell Android to consumers. As Current Analysis analyst Avi Greengart told newsfactor.com, consumers “don’t buy operating systems—they buy products.” Moreover, they buy new products because they offer something different from existing ones, especially in such a crowded market as mobile phones. As for being able to get Google (NSDQ: GOOG) services easily on the phone, as Greengart notes, you can already get many of its features such as Gmail, mapping, calendars, and search on other mobiles, including the iPhone, Blackberry and those running Windows Mobile.

Plus, it’s Google that has the brand power here, and who knows how it will translate to Android. Frank Meehan, Hutchison Whampoa global GM for mobile phones and applications glumly told Reuters, “We operators struggle with how to market this phone. There’s nothing really unique about it and we can’t say it’s a Google phone.”

Then there’s the actual user experience. Rajeev Chand, a wireless analyst at investment bank Rutberg, who has actually played around with Android, told Reuters was not sure that the consumer experience was “significantly better” than that of the iPhone, which in his view blew everything away when it first launched.

Plus, Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) had an established track record and was able to ride the success of the iPod and iTunes. As Meehan adds, “People forget these things get to customers through the retail channel and marketing.”

Finally, operators will have more control over Android phones, rather than Google, a much different scenario from the iPhone, which Apple has maintained a tight grip over. It’s been argued that Apple is being too restrictive, but at least this has resulted in a consistent consumer experience, as well as maintaining some sort of quality control. But as John Poisson, founder Android developer partner Tiny Pictures notes, “Android lives and breathes at the pleasure of the operator.”

Meanwhile, Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) has confirmed that the Blackberry Storm is coming shortly, after photos of the touchscreen iPhone rival were leaked, reports informationweek.com.

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