Develop Bugs

Operator Desire VS proper SIM free Desire

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.

[Q] Any difference buying from different networks?

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.

[Q] Which one to get? DHD on 3 network or Orange UK?

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

[Q] Anyone received One X direct from Orange? Branding?

Hi, I've just ordered a One X as an upgrade directly from Orange (very good deal!). I have a low tolerance for network branding. Has anyone received a One X directly from Orange yet and how obtrusive/nasty is the branding?
Cheers,
Scott

flaca20 said:
Hi, I've just ordered a One X as an upgrade directly from Orange (very good deal!). I have a low tolerance for network branding. Has anyone received a One X directly from Orange yet and how obtrusive/nasty is the branding?
Cheers,
Scott
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like you I have been offered a cracking deal from Orange direct. As far as I can tell from reading other posts, Orange phones are sim locked to Orange. I asked Orange if they would unlock the sim as I want to use the phone in the US and they have said they can do this for about £20. I have noticed that some third party companies are offering sim unlock for as low as $10 but I think I will stick with Orange unlock. The other option is to pay a bit more and upgrade through Carphone warehouse.
Tam the bam

I upgraded mine on orange but through phones 4 u. Theres absolutely no branding on the handset i got, and the boot screen is the official htc one. the only issue im having is the APN settings are bloody locked so i cant set up tethering like i could on my desire..

Tam the Bam said:
As far as I can tell from reading other posts, Orange phones are sim locked to Orange. I asked Orange if they would unlock the sim as I want to use the phone in the US and they have said they can do this for about £20. I have noticed that some third party companies are offering sim unlock for as low as $10 but I think I will stick with Orange unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to have the phone registered to your account for a minimum of 90 days before they'll let you unlock it. I just asked Orange today to unlock my previous phone and they confirmed it will be £20.42 with possibly up to 30 days wait as they send the unlock code request to the manufacturers.
You might be able to convince the Orange CS rep to let you unlock earlier than 90 days.
I can't put the URL here but search for "Orange unlock" on Google and the first link should be one to an Orange support site.
vennards said:
I upgraded mine on orange but through phones 4 u. Theres absolutely no branding on the handset i got, and the boot screen is the official htc one. the only issue im having is the APN settings are bloody locked so i cant set up tethering like i could on my desire..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might be missing something here but can't you just add a new APN with the relevant details? My Orange branded One X doesn't let me alter any of the 3 preset Orange APNs but it does let me add a new one and select it to be used.
flaca20 said:
Hi, I've just ordered a One X as an upgrade directly from Orange (very good deal!). I have a low tolerance for network branding. Has anyone received a One X directly from Orange yet and how obtrusive/nasty is the branding?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is branded but it isn't particularly much. The actual physical handset doesn't have any branding at all unlike some previous Orange phones which had a really obvious Orange logo on it. On the firmware itself, there is an Orange logo during startup and shutdown, they've got an Orange theme set as the default and the Your Account app is preloaded. I've not noticed anything else really that they've changed. The Orange theme is actually okay looking and not 99.99% orange...
The big problem with the operator branded firmware is that you need to wait for Orange to approve and customise every new version of firmware and they might not do them all.

UK T-Mobile/Orange to EE

Hi guys, you may or may not know but T-Mobile and Orange have merged together and now call EE.
A friend of mine updated his iPhone last week and installed a network update, I'm assuming this is a radio update?
Anyway, his phone is now displaying EE, but my DHD is still saying T-Mobile or orange.
Do I need to upgrade my radio? I'm using TrickDroid ICS. I've tried searching for new radios on here, but Tapatalk search is pants!
Cheers
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

No, you shouldn't need to upgrade your radio, over time it should automatically change to EE
Think of it this way, when t-mobile and Orange merged and began sharing networks, they changed from T-mobile to T-Mobile Orange (when using orange's network on a t-mobile contract) and no upgrade was necessary.

I have an iCrap lying around (mum's old phone) with an orange SIM, I'll check in a bit with my DHD and the iCrap
Sent from an unstable WiFi connection

Thanks for the replies, it's just strange that we can stand next to each other, mine says one thing and his says another, that was since his update.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

Apple may have sent an update (because they have to be different to everyone else!) to read the network code (23430 etc) as EE from now on. Most phones I am guessing rely on information sent from the carrier.
It is a strange one though because I have a friend with a 4s which shows EE from Orange, but I have a 3gs which shows T-mobile still....unless it is only Orange on iOS?
EDIT:
Just restored an iphone on iOS6 and after the restore, it showed 'T-mobile' but then had a message stating there was an update from the carrier. I did the update and it showed 'EE' so it is a carrier update, presumably rolled out for IOS only for now

EE
My wife's DHD shows EE after a sms message from orange and my DHD still shows orange just have to wait for orange to send out the sms for it to change to EE

EE are sending the updates out in batches, the ones that upgraded manually when they merged with TMobile are going first, the rest are due to follow over the next few months.