HTC One series

[ss3000]

Hey,

like most of you, i've upgraded to the one x. Defo looks like a beast of a phone with a spec sheet like that. But I've read that the phone comes with 'heavy' vodafone branding. Just wanted to know, how bad is it? is there any branding on the phone itself or is it just software?

Are there any vids or pics showing how much vf have branded the UI? 

[toonboy616]

pretty bad, i wouldnt bother if i had the chance to chose again

[Nabs]

toonboy616, what branding do you have?

If its anything like the S then it's minimal.

Splash screen, couple of apps and a homescreen widget is all i have on there.

The widget can be removed and the apps ignored, i'm happy enough with that.

[toonboy616]

i am used to unbranded, there is a stupid my vodafone app amd a few other vodafone aps that cant be uninstalled, they dont even work properly, the thing that is supposed to tell you how much minutes and data you have left does not even work (what a suprise). There is bt open zone finder thing but what is the point if there are no instructions on how to use it?????

[Jennerster]

I am with nabs on this. All the branding is pretty much optional. Few apps which can be disabled to never to be seen again:

Settings - Apps - All - (Find the app and select) - Disable

The 2 second vodafone splash screen doesn't really bother me.

Hope that helped. 

[Nabs]

Toonboy616,

Due to the vodafone billing process the My Vodafone app will not show any information until your first bill has been generated. The app should explain this when you open it.

[rocketsauce]

Just to clarify, is the VF branding is much like it is on other HTC Android phones?  I have a Desire S at the moment, and the branding is the odd app and a brief VF screen on start up.  I'm considering upgrading to the One X even though I think it might be slightly too big for me.  As long as the branding is minimal I'm happy to consider upgrading to this phone, or the One S.

[Nabs]

I've got the One S at the moment and as i mentioned the branding is, in my eyes minimal.

• Splash screen
• Vodafone hoescreen widget 
• A few apps that can be disabledif you dont want them

I've had a very breif play with a One X and i think i prefer the S, + it's a bit cheaper!

[lenny85]

And there's always the option of degrading to a stock ROM or better still, unleash your phones capabilities with a custom ROM

[electronicpunk]

I went with custom pretty quick as I wanted to restore some stuff from my old Sensation.

I don't know what was Vodafone bloat (aside from the obvious) but there were also some demos and tegra stuff I didn't want on there either.

Very good out of the box though, more so than the Sensation and that was greatly improved so I can't wait to see how awesome this device will become.

[markglh]

argh. Mines due ot arrive tuesday, when I ordered I was told there wasn't any branding. It's not just the branding thats a pain, it's the fact you also have to wait for vodafone to mess about with it which delays updates.

Deffo gonna send it back then I think and order form one of the resellers, mobiles.co.uk et al. real disapointment that as it was reasonably happy with the deal I signed up for

I wanted this to be the first android phone I didn't have to mess about with custom roms etc

[rocketsauce]

Thanks for clearing that up Nabs
I prefer the look of the One X but I think it may be a bit too big for me, the S is slightly smaller so might consider that. Got plenty of time to think about it as my upgrade isn't for a while.

[electronicpunk]

I am quite happy with the size to be honest.

The Note is bigger and just feels too big, this feels just right

[rocketsauce]

The note is humungous!
Really like the look of the One X though, so even if it is too big I'll probably convince myself I'll get used to it and end up with it anyway.
Is it as fantastic as it looks?

[thesoupdragon]

---

rocketsauce wrote:

Is it as fantastic as it looks?

---

Hi rocketsauce,

I have been testing the HTC One X for the last week via the eForum's Device Loan Programme.

You can see my initial thoughts on the Vodafone Social Blog.

I have written a comprehensive review which hopefully will be published on the Blog this week?

To answer your question... This phone is super slick! Sense4 has been integrated into the Stock ICS with a professionalism worthy of a Company like HTC.

For me the main feature is not Beats Audio, it's the Camera! Both stills and Video are superb with outstanding quality.

Internet browsing is incredibly quick, with no lag or delay in rendering.

[Northern-dj]

With a phone purchased from any network you will get bloating vodafone have learnt the hard way but other networks make a right old mess.
what apps have you got that are not working ???
then they can be looked into as there all supposed to work ?

[ss3000]

Finally got my one X yesterday evening. (after cs at vodafone forgot to upgrade my contract but told me it would be sent for tuesday morning due to the bank holiday and then when my upgrade was finally confirmed at i was offered a 8-10am delivery for wednesday, vf forgot to send my phone out! So finally got it y'day) 

But coming back to the topic at hand, must say the bloatware is fairly minimal, just removed the vf widgets and stuff and its ok. shame about the splash screen, but like my iphone, i intend to try and not turn my phone on/off

Any recomendations for decent cases and screen protectors? the screen is curved at the sides, will that affect how well a screen protector fits? 

[ss3000]

scratch the last point, found the case thread on this forum.

[joll200x]

the branding itself isn't a problem - but the delay that vodafone (or any carrier) introduce by rebranding upstream OTA updates is sometimes shocking. As soon as a method comes out to safely debrand my phone and receive OEM updates, I'm all for it.