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.
Related
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.
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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.
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.
I'm thinking of getting the DHD, but before I do can others in the UK who have one on T-Mobile confirm that it's totally unbranded please?
Thanks!
Confirmed that it's totally unbranded.
However it would be useful for you be informed it's network locked.
Mines unbranded unlocked (sim free) although I had mine in the FIRST few days of release.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
I got mine a week ago and its unbranded, no sin to check network lock though
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Get it from CPW ot P4U and it'll be unbranded. I believe, as has been said, all the early ones even from the operators are unbranded but no telling what will happen in the next few months.
Dave - unbranded Vodafone DHD from CPW
PS: the above applies to contract and SIM only. Not necessarily to PAYG (was in the shop today talking about a new phone for my old man...)
Mine was un branded but Sim locked
Ok, thanks for the replies. That's great.
Desire HD ordered How long did you guys have to wait for stock & delivery?
yep, mine was unbranded and unlocked from tmobile
I was told by T-Mob that I would have to wait till January for the DHD. On that basis I ordered from mobiles.co.uk instead and got the phone on next day delivery. However, looking on T-Mob site now it appears they have them back in stock.
Daz555 said:
I was told by T-Mob that I would have to wait till January for the DHD. On that basis I ordered from mobiles.co.uk instead and got the phone on next day delivery. However, looking on T-Mob site now it appears they have them back in stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I considered elsewhere but they (T-Mobile) did me a good deal as an upgrade. I wonder if they are saying they have them in stock on the T-Mobile site when they haven't or are giving them to new contracts only...
iridium21 said:
Ok, thanks for the replies. That's great.
Desire HD ordered How long did you guys have to wait for stock & delivery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ordered on a Friday afternoon, got it on Monday the following week but that was before they were officially listed as available on the site. Make sure you take a look at the hardware issues like camera misalignment and small gaps between the battery cover. I'm waiting until about January before I send mine off for warranty repair over it since I figure they'll have more stock and I'll have to wait less time.
At risk of sounding like a noob, can I ask: doesn't unbranded mean the phone has no mention of the network at all?
If it does my t-mobile desire HD (ordered 1st december) certainly isn't unbranded, as it says t-mobile on booting and shutting down, and has a 'T-Mobile Recommends' app.
Not to mention the homepage on the internet browser was set to T-Mobile's mobile site when I got it.
Or does it just mean that T-Mobile isn't actually printed on the phone?
PeatCoal said:
At risk of sounding like a noob, can I ask: doesn't unbranded mean it has no mention of the network at all? If it does my t-mobile desire HD (ordered 1st december) certainly isn't unbranded, as it says t-mobile on booting and shutting down, and has a 'T-Mobile Recommends app, as well as the homepage on the internet browser being set to T-Mobile's mobile site when I got it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, as far as I'm concerned, that's branded It doesn't actually say "T-Mobile" on the phone too, does it? That really would p**s me off!
I've never had a 'branded' phone before, so how does one go about repairs - can you send it straight to HTC or do you have to go through T-Mobile?
Oh, and any tips for flashing a stock ROM?
iridium21 said:
Ah, as far as I'm concerned, that's branded It doesn't actually say "T-Mobile" on the phone too, does it? That really would p**s me off!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, don't worry, its software only..
From what I can gather, maybe you can flash a custom ROM? The t-mobile apps can at least be deleted with titanium backup.
Dyonas said:
Ordered on a Friday afternoon, got it on Monday the following week but that was before they were officially listed as available on the site. Make sure you take a look at the hardware issues like camera misalignment and small gaps between the battery cover. I'm waiting until about January before I send mine off for warranty repair over it since I figure they'll have more stock and I'll have to wait less time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly is the camera misalignment issue? My camera lens isn't centered, is this a problem, or is it normal? Haven't noticed any problems with it from actually using the camera..
As for the small gaps, if you're referring to the SIM cover, I never had a problem with it after reading this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=827091 before I got the HD.
Got my DHD today - unlocked & unbranded
I'm happy!
Hi,
I am just about to get a DHD but I have 2 Options of the Network either on 3 or Orange Uk, However I am on Tmobile UK but I ll be unlocking/debranding the phone for my own use.
I have come across a fried who got his from 3 UK and it came unlocked, so I am not sure if anyone else Knows if it comes unlock/unbranded etc..
Just need to know before deciding which one to go for.
Thanks in advance.
I am leaving orange to go to 3uk i have found the signel better than orange so far and lots cheaper, As for unlocked mine had no branding on it at all, after about a hour it was s-off ,sim unlocked etc.. with no problems at all.
I was with orange for over 10 years but what with there expansive talk plans , small internet useage etc.. i switched , But know i having problems get my number off them..
A work colleague got a DHD from 3 and it was branded, at least until I got him on the latest AR HD ROM and debranded it for him.
From stock you'll get branded splashscreen, bootanim and some 3 apps. The handset itself has no branding on it though. Dunno if it came locked as he got it on 3 to use it on 3 so I had no need to test.
Someone else at work had one on Orange and that has their logo on the rear casing. I'm not sure about software branding but I think it's safe to say it will knowing what Orange are like.
Thanks for the reply guys..
I have a HD on Orange and 2 of my friends.
There is no branding on the phone anywhere.
There is no branding on the ROM either.
It's about time Orange stop messing with ROMS.
Sent from my Lee DrOid Loaded Desire HD
Mine's on 3uk and was locked but is easy to unlock on here.
saayinla said:
Thanks for the reply guys..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happy to help
themonkster said:
I have a HD on Orange and 2 of my friends.
There is no branding on the phone anywhere.
There is no branding on the ROM either.
It's about time Orange stop messing with ROMS.
Sent from my Lee DrOid Loaded Desire HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were they from from a reseller or Orange direct?
The guy here at work with the Orange branded DHD got his from Orange direct.
If you get them from Phones4U, Car Phone Ware House etc then most of the time it will be unlocked & unbranded as they just get one off the shelf and then give you a SIM card to suit the network you just signed up for.
Same with T-Mobile. I did my upgrade with them on the phone but they had no stock left so they said I could pick one up from a local CPW store, which I did. No branding for me
Wow!!
Think i got lucky with my DHD.
I got mine from a "three" store, It had the stock rom installed no "3" branding anywhere!
(was sim free too) ^_^
i got my dhd with orange online, the only branding on the device whas the orange boot animation, it also came with older software so it was easly rooted. another good thing about orange is the "your orange" app on the market, letting you view your current spendings, how many mins and data you have left and your current bill
I've been on Orange for years. The only problem I have is when I'm in a 2G area and a data connection is active - any incoming voicecalls go straight to voicemail. This is because Orange prioritize data over voice, and 2G can't handle both simultaneously. No problem on 3G. Vodaphone prioritize voice in these circumstances.
Anyway, at the end of my contract I said I want to go monthly SIM-only (having bought my dhd off contract and sold my Touch HD) . Orange offered me 300 any network minutes, unlimited landline, 1Gb data, 15 picture messages, and a Desire for £13 per month. I promptly bit their hand off. Now selling the Desire....
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Why are o2 so bloody slow at releasing software updates? Lets face it what different from three UK or orange UK software? all o2 do is add there own apps.
Every phone I have had from o2 has been the same slow at updating. I didn't want to root this phone yet has I see no real reason, now am thinking I should just to get away from waiting for o2.
shankly1985 said:
Why are o2 so bloody slow at releasing software updates? Lets face it what different from three UK or orange UK software? all o2 do is add there own apps.
Every phone I have had from o2 has been the same slow at updating. I didn't want to root this phone yet has I see no real reason, now am thinking I should just to get away from waiting for o2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I agree, I'm still on 1.26 so two updates have been released and we still haven't got any.
I don't want to root mine yet either if at all, having said that I don't have any major issues, music skips frequently which is an annoyance so it would be good to get the update for that because it apparently fixes that.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
This was my primary reason for no longer going to o2 for upgrades. My previous two phones have been from CPW and my HOX was from Phones4U - the reason being that they both supply unbranded phones on identical tariffs to those from o2. Lesson learnt from my Symbian days - waiting forever for branded updates.
I got fed up waiting and installed ARHD. I had a SGS 2 before and o2 were one of the first to update to ics but they are letting everyone down this time
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
Also I read rooting it will not update things like the radio? Or at least what I have read....
Anyway am on Three and only updated to 1.28 this morning, but yes now stuck with an older firmware until they bring out 1.29......
I totally agree, O2 completely suck with these updates. HTC are releasing updates to help people resolve issues they are having with the device, but it seems O2 couldn't care less if people are having the problems or not.
I previously got my phones from Carphone Warehouse but on this occasion I went to O2 because the contracts at Carphone were more expensive. However, a week after getting my phone Carphone emailed me saying that I could get an upgrade and their tariffs would not be beaten by carriers and they would match them. Unfortunatley I was on holiday at the time so I couldn't return my phone to O2 and go to Carphone.
O2 really need to pull their fingers out and give a **** about their customers.
Just got of the phone with O2 and happened to get through to someone who has same device. He said O2 do have the update and are looking at rolling it out first Q this month. He said we should have it by 14th.
Thanks for the info. Hope you are right.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
Lets get o2 on @BBCWatchdog
No harm in trying everthing else fails
Lets get o2 on @BBCWatchdog here is my tweet best i could think off please feel free to add ur own #O2 is holding back vital updates 4 #HTCONEX other networks have released them as they are bug updates for battery improvements
Well this is weird! I got the 28 update pretty much as soon as it was available. and I expect the same to happend with 29 when it is available in UK. I am on O2 contract
technostein said:
Well this is weird! I got the 28 update pretty much as soon as it was available. and I expect the same to happend with 29 when it is available in UK. I am on O2 contract
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
am still on 1.26 did u get urs directly from o2
technostein said:
Well this is weird! I got the 28 update pretty much as soon as it was available. and I expect the same to happend with 29 when it is available in UK. I am on O2 contract
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your phone branded to o2? can you use any sim you want? or is this o2 only? Seems you have a un-branded phone and using o2 sim only
shankly1985 said:
Is your phone branded to o2? can you use any sim you want? or is this o2 only? Seems you have a un-branded phone and using o2 sim only
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea. I ordered it offline pre ordered from phones 4 u?? If it's still weird I will try another sim card?
technostein said:
I have no idea. I ordered it offline pre ordered from phones 4 u?? If it's still weird I will try another sim card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yer am almost 100% your phone is un-branded and you can use any sim.
I am hoping that it's gonna be 1.29 we will recieve. Some even talk about 1.30 coming in a couple of days.
It is really annoying to be stuck on 1.26.
Wish I ordered my phone from phones4u.
I didn't expect this and the ugly laggy boot animation I got. Why is this god for them?
At least customer service was nice enough to make it simfree for free. Other than tha, shame on you o2.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
Any news anyone? Ahahahahaha o2 are ****in ****
Sent from my HTC One X
Kickasskev said:
Any news anyone? Ahahahahaha o2 are ****in ****
Sent from my HTC One X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No update yet. I think it could just be that O2 are more cautious. v1.28 didn't fix some of the faults reported, and if they knew of 1.29 or even 1.30 the sensible thing to do would be to wait to reduce the number of updates.
The average user gets fed up of updates quickly, and I know some people that don't bother because of it.
You won't get to speak to anyone at O2 that knows what's going on - the engineers etc are separate from customer services (who know nothing, despite what they might think). It's best to just wait.
I take it there is no ruu we can use instead?
technostein said:
Well this is weird! I got the 28 update pretty much as soon as it was available. and I expect the same to happend with 29 when it is available in UK. I am on O2 contract
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here I got the .28 update right away ! o2 UK contract Although I did get my phone from Phones 4 u
det66 said:
Same here I got the .28 update right away ! o2 UK contract Although I did get my phone from Phones 4 u
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As has been stated - phones from Phones4U are not O2 branded. That is why you get the update.