I have a question for all you technical types out there. I have to admit that my knowledge about these things is pretty limited.
I tried to order a HTC Desire as part of a contract upgrade and it seems that I have hit a road block when it comes to getting a unbranded phone. I can get one relatively quick and easy if it is branded (i.e. T-Mobile or Vodafone) and my netprovider is neither.
My question is: does it make a difference (branded or un-branded)? Or using a branded phone with a different Sim card?
Orr is it possible or necessary to change the Rom to unbranded?
I would really appreciate whatever advice I could get.
Thanks.
Shouldn't make a difference. Either way you can simply flash the unbranded Rom using a goldcard.
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
Hi Cedeel, what is a Goldcard???? Like I said, I know almost nothing about these things.
Thanks for having patience with me.
You could do a simple search. Basically, it will allow you to flash any signed Rom for your device.
-------------------------------------
Sent from my HTC Magic running Smoki
Not sure about in Germany but here in the UK Vodafone leave their phones unbranded (inside and out) - mine certainly is. All you really need to do is get the phone unlocked to use another netwrk's sim in it.
GrenW said:
Not sure about in Germany but here in the UK Vodafone leave their phones unbranded (inside and out) - mine certainly is. All you really need to do is get the phone unlocked to use another netwrk's sim in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
vodafone UK no longer SIM lock their phones. This has been the case for the last year or 2.
GrenW said:
Not sure about in Germany but here in the UK Vodafone leave their phones unbranded (inside and out) - mine certainly is. All you really need to do is get the phone unlocked to use another netwrk's sim in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do, however, have a different vendor ID than the generic WWE ROM so you have to wait for VF to approve it
My first post, but I've been lurking for a while. After some quick advice if possible, can anybody confirm if my Desire is unbranded or not. Got it from Vodafone but put my mate's SIM (O2) in it the other day and it worked fine, so thought it was unbranded. Finally decided to go down the Custom ROM route, so thought I'd just double check, stumbled across this
"Go to Settings>About Phone>Software version and see what the FW version is - branded is x.xx.161.x, unbranded is x.xx.405.x"
whilst searching, so had a quick check of firmware version and it is 1.19.161.5, so seems to be a branded phone. Is this correct? If it is, then I'll just create a goldcard. Any advice would be much appreciated.
GrenW said:
Not sure about in Germany but here in the UK Vodafone leave their phones unbranded (inside and out) - mine certainly is. All you really need to do is get the phone unlocked to use another netwrk's sim in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In NL T-Mobile doesn't sell branded Desires. I'm not sure about Germany too.
However, I do know that some phones with another provider get their software updates much later.
I also wonder if you have a Carphone Warehouse or Phone House near you. I know they exist in Germany and if it's like the UK stores they sell all their phones unlocked on or off contract and you get similar if not better deals to the networks.
Related
Excuse the newb question...
If I get an HTC Desire locked to the 3 network, will rooting/new rom free me from the carrier's lock?
eesmm said:
Excuse the newb question...
If I get an HTC Desire locked to the 3 network, will rooting/new rom free me from the carrier's lock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You need a SIM code. Depending on laws in your country, you might get one free from that cell provider it's locked to. If not, they're always available for sale online, about $25 USD or so.
My 3 Desire wasn't locked. It was bought from a 3 Store.
TheOriginalKi said:
My 3 Desire wasn't locked. It was bought from a 3 Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great news. Can anybody confirm that the 3/payg Desires are unlocked?
(TheOriginalKi, please forgive my asking this but I am having it sent abroad and need to be 200% certain before I fork out the cash - your logo here implies you are on the 3 network, so which other carrier did you try it on?)
My Desire from the merry Hill 3 store was also unlocked.
I went into Solihull originally and they told me that it might be locked or it might not be locked :S and there is no returns on the phone.
After phoning Merry Hill, where they had me an unlocked one reserved, I was told that they received a batch of unlocked ones and aren't sure if the next batch would be unlocked.
Not sure how much of that is true, but that's what I was told by the 3 staff. Mine works fine though , £350 too, great price.
can also confirm my desire from 3uk is unlocked
3 stated that becuase of high demand, they started shipping out unbranded and unlocked devices while they finished tweaking their custom, branded ROM. I've no idea if they've started shipping the ones with the 3 ROM yet.
WillyVWade said:
3 stated that becuase of high demand, they started shipping out unbranded and unlocked devices while they finished tweaking their custom, branded ROM. I've no idea if they've started shipping the ones with the 3 ROM yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I'm going to call the 3 shop ahead to make sure.
Is there a way for them to know the locked/unlocked status of a device without powering up (something on the packaging)? I can only assume the staff will be a bit clueless when i ask...
(Big thankyou to all who replied, btw)
Do they have a 3 logo on the back?
They might have 3 branded boxes, but I've never had a branded box with 3.
If they have them on display in store, it's a bad sign. IIRC, They were only sending out the generic devices over the phone and to web pre-orderers.
WillyVWade said:
Do they have a 3 logo on the back?
They might have 3 branded boxes, but I've never had a branded box with 3.
If they have them on display in store, it's a bad sign. IIRC, They were only sending out the generic devices over the phone and to web pre-orderers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They had a phone on display when I went in to the store and mine was a generic phone.
No idea if the 3 branded ones will have a 3 logo on the box, mine was a generic htc box though.
Psy-Blade said:
They had a phone on display when I went in to the store and mine was a generic phone.
No idea if the 3 branded ones will have a 3 logo on the box, mine was a generic htc box though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went in to my local 3 store and asked if I could use one, they told me they wouldn't have any generic stock or display models.
eesmm said:
That's great news. Can anybody confirm that the 3/payg Desires are unlocked?
(TheOriginalKi, please forgive my asking this but I am having it sent abroad and need to be 200% certain before I fork out the cash - your logo here implies you are on the 3 network, so which other carrier did you try it on?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They handed me a HTC Desire in a HTC Desire box, no 3 branding of any kind, then they handed me a PAYG sim card pack. I'm actually using my 3 contract sim in the phone, but just to check I popped in my brothers o2 Sim and it turned on and displayed the o2 carrier logo. Do not let them know you are not planning to use it on their network or they will refuse to sell it on PAYG. Another thing, they also made me buy a £10 top-voucher, which I was able to sell to a 3 PAYG user.
That's great news. Can anybody confirm that the 3/payg Desires are unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definately not locked as brought one on Friday on payg on 3, no branding at all and works on o2 (which is what I wanted it for).
I can confirm that as well, Got mine in leeds although with a contract, but popped my t-mob PAYG in and it worked fine
Mine was unlocked aswell, got it from the retention team, box had 3 sticker but phone had none. Tested with other sim and worked fine. This all might change when they get more out, and have time to brand it. Usually they would have the 3 on the phone. good luck
Is there any advantage to getting a desire thats been nowhere near o2/Voda/3/Orange/T-Mobile ?
The proper sim free Desire will not have any network branding or apps installed and it will be first in line for any updates released by HTC. Plus, you won't have to run the risk of debranding the phone and losing its warranty
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
YES!
Orange have mutilated the Desire, ****ed around with the apps, broken the browser, and muddled up the voicemail - it's a car crash.
T-Mo have been kinder, but they decided to volume limit the damned thing, which is hugely annoying when your favourite tune come on.
I don't know what Voda, O2 or 3 have done to theirs.
However, you can always debrand a carrier-subsidised phone by flashing the ROM, it's an easy procedure (search - there are loads of guides) but it might void your warranty. If the operator's ROM is available in the wild then you might be able to reflash it before sending it off for repair, but you cannot flash an older bootloader over a newer one which might put you in a pickle in 18 months time if your debranded phone's been updated a few times OTA and only old operator ROMs are available.
Therefore, your best bet is to get it unbranded, you could eithe pay £380 full whack for it or get it from Carphone Warehouse or online and get the benefit of the subsidy as well.
It's an amazing phone, man, AMAZING!
£380
where ??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just whack "htc desire" into Google shopping. Saw it on Amazon for £390 or so earlier today.
I think play.com are doing it for 389 now.
me thinks cpw will be 399.99 richer tomorrow
and I will be 130 poorer (sold my iphone 3gs for 270 today)
are the cpw ones proper sim free's?
cirian75 said:
me thinks cpw will be 399.99 richer tomorrow
and I will be 130 poorer (sold my iphone 3gs for 270 today)
are the cpw ones proper sim free's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was, best phone I've ever owned...
And to mirror what others are saying - ALWAYS get SIM-free phones if you can
me thinks it's a plan
Nexus Ones a silly money sim free.
cirian75 said:
me thinks it's a plan
Nexus Ones a silly money sim free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'd be first to get 'proper' FroYo but I don't like the trackball - one more thing to possibly break and if anything like my missus BlackBerry it'll stop working within a couple of months!
EddyOS, your local to me lol
also, I had a blackberry 8800
went through 5 trackballs in a year, but £10 for a bag 5, meh, wasn't fussed
Then they integrated in on the 1st Bold
I just hope the desire gets ginger bread.
cirian75 said:
£380
where ??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
!£350 at 3 unlocked unbranded
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Generic HTC Desire on Vodafone in the uk
I cant see any way my desire is locked, or modified by Vodafone - i used to avoid them in the past as Id seen the mess they made of some handsets, but to the best of my knowledge the one I got from them 6 weeks ago is completely standard.
I know it's not locked to any networks, already tried a few different sims in and it works fine, and nothing in the Software Info suggests locking or customisation.
If you need a contract of some sorts it seems a good plan, its a free phone and my contract works out at about £400 over the 18 months anyway, not to mention all the data text and calls i get in the deal
S
mancuk29 said:
!£350 at 3 unlocked unbranded
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah 3 has it for that price but not many will offer it as they get less commission if they sell on payg but who knows you might get lucky.. oh apparently they need you to buy a £10 top up now so total is £360
steveapp said:
I cant see any way my desire is locked, or modified by Vodafone - i used to avoid them in the past as Id seen the mess they made of some handsets, but to the best of my knowledge the one I got from them 6 weeks ago is completely standard.
I know it's not locked to any networks, already tried a few different sims in and it works fine, and nothing in the Software Info suggests locking or customisation.
If you need a contract of some sorts it seems a good plan, its a free phone and my contract works out at about £400 over the 18 months anyway, not to mention all the data text and calls i get in the deal
S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check your FW version in Settings>About phone>Software version
if you've got x.xx.161.x then it's a Vodafone branded handset, if it's x.xx.405.x then it's a SIM-free handset
just rang 3 "3" stores
nope on the sim free version
£389.99 on Play.com
http://www.play.com/Mobiles/Mobile/...?_$ja=tsid:11518|cc:|prd:13665745|cat:Mobile+
Guess I was lucky with my Three handset.
I took one out on a contract and got a totally unlocked and unbranded handset.
Apparantly it was because they were having problems getting three branded handsets so all the shops were send unlocked/unbranded ones to help with the demand!
Cool eh!
Phil
I have it right now in my hand
£399.95 sim free from CPW
setting it up.
EddyOS said:
Check your FW version in Settings>About phone>Software version
if you've got x.xx.161.x then it's a Vodafone branded handset, if it's x.xx.405.x then it's a SIM-free handset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is interesting that Vodafone (UK) are not branding the Desire - their unlocked policy is well known.
When I compare a Vodafone handset to my unbranded (bought that way) Desire, the Vodafone handset has even less 'bloat-ware'!!!
As commented elsewhere, I will get any Firmware upgrades first - but I don't understand Vodafone's logic: -
No branding.
Unlocked.
So why not just hand out default unbranded HTC phones, if you're not going to control the experience...??
MMB.
Hi,
Does it make any difference as to what network i buy the desire on? (UK)
For example, i know it will be locked to that network, but is there branding or any other locks for different networks?
Thanks
Orange have the most branding. T-Mobile and Three have little branding, Vodafone have with the latest update that go pulled so none -- O2 none.
However you can de-brand any of the phones to get rid of all of the crap they put on there. I did with my Orange phone as they're the slowest to dish out updates and their software was awful.
excellent cheers i was planning on changing the OS anyway... my Diamond lasted 3 hours after i bought it, before i changed the ROM
Vodafone, until recently, left their Desires alone but a recent OTA update added splash screen/Vodafone 360 app to it (which people were extremely annoyed about!!)
T-Mobile has splash screens (I think)
Orange change loads, add their own apps and generally mess it up so avoid!!
O2 add things too, don't know about 3
Best thing, go to CPW and get it on upgrade and you should get a SIM-free, generic Desire - I did this and always do as I hate branded phones!!
Thanks. Its actually going to be my Dad getting it he's going to see what he can get on his O2 business account i'll be playing with different versions of Android on it anyway...
The main reason I'd say get it SIM-free is speed of updates - operators have other product codes so you'd have to wait on them to OK an update before getting it, regardless of added apps, etc...got mine SIM-free from CPW on upgrade so got the FroYo update as soon as I got back from the US
ok cool.
Its probably going to be running a modified version of Android anyway, so shouldnt need to worry about updates
I was running custom ROMs too but found that stock FroYo does all I want it to so I can live with the crap apps I don't ever use for now
Awesome phone, though
EddyOS said:
I was running custom ROMs too but found that stock FroYo does all I want it to so I can live with the crap apps I don't ever use for now
Awesome phone, though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool, we'll see what happens. cheers for the help
mugglesquop said:
cool, we'll see what happens. cheers for the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please I'm using o2 branded HTC desire, do I need to debrand it before I get group 2.2 as I am presently in Lagos and not in the UK at the moment.
Hi,
Just installed the latest Voadfone UK RUU on my phone as I'm having problems with the phone charging. I have an SLCD model purchased in August. When I originally received the phone it was branded, however, the phone now appears to have no branding (after flashing the latest RUU). I also cannot see the Phone Number (listed as Unknown) under Phone Identity in settings, whereas this used to work with the original OS.
Anyone know if Vodafone UK will accept my phone back for a warranty repair, am I screwed or do I need to do anything else?
Cheers,
Mike
I thought the latest version of the vodafone software removed (all?) branding and dodgy apps as people kicked up a right fuss last time they pushed down loads of vodafone360 junk? (was the RUU a vodafone branded RUU?)
Not sure though as I got my phone from Amazon and stuck in an o2 sim.
However, I did see somewhere about the 'unknown' phone number being an issue with the sim/carrier - old sim cards or such that didn't carry information about the phone number on - or numbers that have been transferred with PAC etc.
Mine also says Unknown - although it was a brand spanking new SIM and number around 2 years ago.
I think I read that you can contact Vodafone (in this case) and tell them about it and they'll do one of three things;
1) tell you to ignore it - it isn't important
2) push out an update to the SIM to update the information on it
3) send you a new SIM.
4) you can apparently put the sim into a blackberry or similar and there's an option on some handsets (i know there is on an old blackberry i have) to add the number on to the SIM itself that way... and it should then transfer the number to your Desire
hope that helps... I may of course be wrong with some of the above as I dont have a branded phone and i ignored the unknown number on my own phone
When i got my Desire with Vodafone branding last month I was surprised too. The only place where the "branding" is visible is under settings-personalize-scenes which has an added Vodafone scene (besides a different firmware version of course...).
It's also unable to detect the phone number from my simcard but i don't really mind.
Perfect, thanks guys. Just dropped it into Vodafone to get it repaired.
I'm tempted to move my SIM to the blackberry and set the number up on it and move it back just to test... in fact I may do that now...
mikecsmith said:
Perfect, thanks guys. Just dropped it into Vodafone to get it repaired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of interest - why are you sending it back to vodafone? What else is broken?
The (almost) non-branding seems to be part of the update...
Lothaen said:
Out of interest - why are you sending it back to vodafone? What else is broken?
The (almost) non-branding seems to be part of the update...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
he mentioned that he has some problem with charging his phone
Lothaen said:
I'm tempted to move my SIM to the blackberry and set the number up on it and move it back just to test... in fact I may do that now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Darn - the BB handset is locked and won't accept my o2 Sim
ah problems charging silly me
I am looking to get this phone and needed some advice. I haven't bought a cellular branded phone for a long while. I usually go with the USA Factory unlocked version. On this phone is the cellular named stamped on the back of the phone? I know the model for the USA Unlocked version is G820QM (with a 7 at the end at times) but it is honestly harder to find. What does everyone recommend on this phone in regards to getting the cellular branded one or should I keep trying to find the USA Unlocked version? What about bloatware with the different cellular branded ones? How is that? Can you get rid of the bloatware? I also like what I call the LG Branded ones as they get the updates faster do they not? Please help me. I am looking for a phone and this one stuck out at me unless someone suggests a different phone with similar specs to this one? Thanks so much! :good:
alias4ever said:
I am looking to get this phone and needed some advice. I haven't bought a cellular branded phone for a long while. I usually go with the USA Factory unlocked version. On this phone is the cellular named stamped on the back of the phone? I know the model for the USA Unlocked version is G820QM (with a 7 at the end at times) but it is honestly harder to find. What does everyone recommend on this phone in regards to getting the cellular branded one or should I keep trying to find the USA Unlocked version? What about bloatware with the different cellular branded ones? How is that? Can you get rid of the bloatware? I also like what I call the LG Branded ones as they get the updates faster do they not? Please help me. I am looking for a phone and this one stuck out at me unless someone suggests a different phone with similar specs to this one? Thanks so much! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
There is no way of cross flashing a different ROM, so you will be stuck without updates, until someone finds a way of cross flashing a ROM from an unlocked model. I'm checking this forum regularly hoping some has found a solution, but nothing so far
If you are in the US and on AT&T then it will fine, bloatware (which is a lot) can be removed/disabled easily
Honestly, for the price I paid (£280), I think the Xiaomi Mi9 would have been a better option, similar specs, updates every 2 months and you're able to unlock bootloader, not the best process to unlock the bootloader, but still possible (just need to wait for permission from Xiaomi which could take a few weeks), you'll be missing out on the best headphone jack, better cameras (not by much) and better battery life, for a similar price I think this is the best deal for snapdragon 855 phone.
If you don't mind paying a bit more and want the same features as the G8, go for the Samsung S10.
hugoprh said:
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried updating after taking out the SIM card?
ChrisAG said:
Have you tried updating after taking out the SIM card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep no luck, I've sold the phone, I was wasting too much time trying to find a solution, so just sold it and claimed my sanity back xD
Going back to the trusty Xperia 5, timely updates and great software and they are going for around £260 so easily recommended.
That's too bad, AT&T must be interfering, because I just purchased an unlocked G8 in Canada, and it updated to 10 over WiFi, before I inserted a SIM from my carrier (Bell Mobility). Phone was not on Bell originally.
ChrisAG said:
That's too bad, AT&T must be interfering, because I just purchased an unlocked G8 in Canada, and it updated to 10 over WiFi, before I inserted a SIM from my carrier (Bell Mobility). Phone was not on Bell originally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, this a AT&T "feature", want updates? Buy at AT&T SIM card and use it in the US, guess they don't want anyone outside the US to use their products, unsure why, but it is what it is...
hugoprh said:
Unsure where you're from, but stay away from the AT&T unlocked model (my model G820UM), I'm from the UK and ordered one, big mistake, AT&T does not send any update to their phones if they are not using an AT&T SIM card in the US, some users have been successful in updating they're OS, by just using a AT&T SIM card outside of the US, some haven't and I haven't tried it, because I don't want to waste more money on a SIM card when the results are not 100% guaranteed.
There is no way of cross flashing a different ROM, so you will be stuck without updates, until someone finds a way of cross flashing a ROM from an unlocked model. I'm checking this forum regularly hoping some has found a solution, but nothing so far
If you are in the US and on AT&T then it will fine, bloatware (which is a lot) can be removed/disabled easily
Honestly, for the price I paid (£280), I think the Xiaomi Mi9 would have been a better option, similar specs, updates every 2 months and you're able to unlock bootloader, not the best process to unlock the bootloader, but still possible (just need to wait for permission from Xiaomi which could take a few weeks), you'll be missing out on the best headphone jack, better cameras (not by much) and better battery life, for a similar price I think this is the best deal for snapdragon 855 phone.
If you don't mind paying a bit more and want the same features as the G8, go for the Samsung S10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is 10 really that big a deal from 9? I have 9 on my phone i could care less if it gets 10 and I am pretty sure it wont , lol
I feel like if we have temp root then it's only a matter of time before we get TWRP and roms. I just picked up an AT&T model for $178. Not sure if it's unlocked, but fairly easy through AT&T. Just worried if we have an exploit, updating to 10 might invalidate it.
I come from PS3/xbox 360 hacking, haha.