Presumably the name G1 is going to belong to T-Mobile, which has exclusive rights on the current (and first) Android powered handset built by HTC. Details have just been revealed on HTC’s second Google handset, however, which is going to be exclusive to Vodafone.

Essentially this is the G2, though the manufacturer’s moniker for the device is the HTC Magic. Details are still quite thin on the ground, though it’s pretty clear the slide out QWERTY has been dropped. This will be replaced by the Cupcake onscreen keypad (similar to the iPhone’s) that’s been much sought after by G1 users.

HSPA, wi-fi and GPS connectivity as well as a 3.2-megapixel camera are also believed to be included. It’d be nice to know a few extra details on the systems guts, so we can tell what kind of performance to expect (not that the G1 has been found lacking, mind you), but otherwise this looks like a pretty similar device in an undeniably sexier and slimmer casing.

This does leave us wondering about the rumours as to Vodafone’s exclusivity on the Palm Pre, as bagging both these devices would be quite an industry coup…

Anyway, look out for more details on codename HTC Magic coming from MWC 09 very soon, where our very own roving reporter, Stu, is currently chatting up the industry.