Since the launch of Apple’s iPhone 3G rival handset manufacturers have been coming up with new models in a bid to pose a challenge to Apple’s revolutionary model. While some of these models have achieved considerable success by their own means, few have come close to actually pose a challenge to iPhone 3G.

But iPhone finally seems to have a considerable challenge. And it is no surprise that the challenge comes from a firm which banks upon providing user-friendly services and which strives a lot on innovation and revolutionary aspects just like Apple

The company which we are speaking about is Google and the model in mention is its G1 which it has developed in alliance with HTC.

Google has tied up with T-Mobile for its Android-based phone. If one were to compare the response of Apple’s iPhone 3G and Google’s G1 purely on the basis of pre-launch response then Google seems to be heading towards a major victory. Apple managed to ship out 1 million handsets within first three days of launch. Google has witnessed 1.5 million pre launch bookings for its G1. The company was in fact expected about 700,000 orders. Also the launch date is scheduled for October 22.

Observers say that price is soon turning out to be a heavy factor in handset consumer’s buying behaviour. Because while the Google’s G1 may not be that impressive as compared to Apple’s iPhone, it offers comparable features. 3G is available in bundled schemes on AT&T network for $ 199 per month while Google and T-Mobile are offering it for $ 179 subject to a two-year commitment.

Success of G1 should keep Apple on its toes which till now was easily marching ahead of competition. RIM’s BlackBerry Storm is also widely perceived to pose serious challenge to iPhone 3G and will be available in USA on Verizon networks.

There has been no announcement from Google or RIM over availability of their respective handsets in the Indian market.