We all know that the Sensation has suffered from its fair share of bugs and glitches (every new device does) but what I didn't know prior to buying this phone is that models sold in HK (Unbranded or Branded) are not supported in the same manner as the rest of the world. I hope this post can prevent someone else form making the same mistake as me.
After reading forums and talking to people, it became clear that devices in HK were either missing software updates entirely, or getting them months later than the rest of Asia (or the world for that matter).
I contacted HTC about this and spoke with Mike at the HK Customer Service center. He confirmed that HTC Hong Kong has a different policy regarding updates and has no plans to EVER release small incremental updates. He even referred to previous handsets (HTC Desire HD models in HK didn't receive the updates that the rest of the world did) saying that the only time exceptions have been made to this policy is when a major OS update 2.1->2.2 has been issued. Apparently unlike other regions, it is standard policy not to release small updates in Hong Kong. He also doubted that the bootloader update (expected in August) would be available for Hong Kong branded phones stating the models sold in HK are treated separately from other global models. Although I tried to get him to give me an explanation for this bizarre policy, the only answer I could get is that most HK customers are happy with the current release.
As it stands now, HK Sensations are stuck on software version number 1.28.708.2 and HTC HK is categorically stating that they will remain here indefinitely.
Lesson learned for me is to never buy an HTC device in HK ever again.
Does anyone know if there is a way to flash a standard Asia rom (region 707) to a HK phone (region 708)?
i have 1.28.720.2...i thought mine was sourced from HK...have any idea what the 720 region is?
I bought mine in HK, it came with the Asian rom on it
I would expect come the unlock you can then put what ever you like on it but not until then.
and no idea where 720 is, hopefully someone else can tell you.
I spoke with HTC UK about my Sensation (bought on EBay) and it seems that 720 is India!
cupcake said:
I spoke with HTC UK about my Sensation (bought on EBay) and it seems that 720 is India!
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sweeeet (i don't know why i think that's good, but whatever...)
Related
Usually, the accessories are out well before the device is released anywhere; this doesn't seem to be the case with the Desire
Has the device been released anywhere other than the UK yet?
Nope. And that's probably the reason. Also because it's not being released in the US for now.
It's also worth noting that the desire only officially launched on 1st April but places have been pushing them out earlier.
T-Mobile had an early agreement with HTC which is why currently the device is officially only on T-Mobile (you can go and get a simfree device with say a vodafone sim but you wouldn't be able to get a vodafone handset from vodafone).
Ie Could I buy sim free and put O2 sim in it??
You won't be able to buy simfree from Vodafone, but once it's out at places like Amazon, you will be able too put any SIM card in you want, yes.
It won't be sim locked. they say none of their phones are.
I thought all of Vodafone's devices were locked. Great news if it's unlocked.
I bought my HD2 directly from the Vodafone UK website about 18 months ago and it's unlocked.
But my DHD is locked to t-mobile
Vodafone haven't locked Contract phones for years now. PAYG however...
I ordered mine from Vodafone today, are we expecting this to be a standard version or a Vodafone infected version.
Vodafone rom, with their super fast update schedule- not. Without doubt.
Thanks for reminding me on that one. Im definately waiting till when I return from honeymoon in mid june. If I buy it, definately getting it sim free with maybe a 3 mobile ayce sim. Vodafone lag way behind official updates.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
descb600f said:
I ordered mine from Vodafone today, are we expecting this to be a standard version or a Vodafone infected version.
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Given the speed it's coming out, I kind of expect a stock ROM.
MaxReality said:
Vodafone rom, with their super fast update schedule- not. Without doubt.
Thanks for reminding me on that one. Im definately waiting till when I return from honeymoon in mid june. If I buy it, definately getting it sim free with maybe a 3 mobile ayce sim. Vodafone lag way behind official updates.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
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Having said that mate, Vodafone have an EU release clause with HTC, so when an update goes live in the EU, it goes live in the UK too. Not like other carries. Vodafone got the official GB release before anyone else on the DHD
madindehead said:
Given the speed it's coming out, I kind of expect a stock ROM.
Having said that mate, Vodafone have an EU release clause with HTC, so when an update goes live in the EU, it goes live in the UK too. Not like other carries. Vodafone got the official GB release before anyone else on the DHD
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I'm also betting on them sticking to stock ROM to get the initial batch out as early as possible.
Even if it's a branded ROM I won't mind too much as Vodafone have recently been getting HTC ROM updates out before unbranded updates (as crazy as that sounds) and their bloatware seems to be reduced as of late too.
familyhousing said:
I'm also betting on them sticking to stock ROM to get the initial batch out as early as possible.
Even if it's a branded ROM I won't mind too much as Vodafone have recently been getting HTC ROM updates out before unbranded updates (as crazy as that sounds) and their bloatware seems to be reduced as of late too.
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The only 'bloatware' my original Vodafone HTC Magic had was a Vodafone Live! app, which only ran if you wanted to use it.
Omicron90 said:
The only 'bloatware' my original Vodafone HTC Magic had was a Vodafone Live! app, which only ran if you wanted to use it.
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Vodafone have become very good.
My HD2 on Vodafone had ZERO bloatware!
madindehead said:
Vodafone have become very good.
My HD2 on Vodafone had ZERO bloatware!
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If my new Sensation arrives with no bloatware, I will make an effort to thank them on the Vodafone eforum. I like to let them know I appreciate it
familyhousing said:
I'm also betting on them sticking to stock ROM to get the initial batch out as early as possible.
Even if it's a branded ROM I won't mind too much as Vodafone have recently been getting HTC ROM updates out before unbranded updates (as crazy as that sounds) and their bloatware seems to be reduced as of late too.
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Hopefully they are learning there lesson and leaving the phones alone.
Omicron90 said:
If my new Sensation arrives with no bloatware, I will make an effort to thank them on the Vodafone eforum. I like to let them know I appreciate it
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Given how fast we are getting them, I bet they will just be direct from HTC to the customers! I hope so at least!
Re: rom updates. Can only go off when hd2 got released. We had to wait a fair bit for updates. Cant comment on other handsets. Sorry
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Silly question perhaps, but even if the vodafone handset is unlocked, will we still have to wait for vodafone to release updates or will we get them straight from HTC?
sjgore said:
Silly question perhaps, but even if the vodafone handset is unlocked, will we still have to wait for vodafone to release updates or will we get them straight from HTC?
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Pretty sure if this is the case then the updates will come straight from HTC, but I'm no expert.
Omicron90 said:
Pretty sure if this is the case then the updates will come straight from HTC, but I'm no expert.
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With the Desire, it had to come from Vodafone unless you debrand it and flash a WWE RUU via Goldcard. The initial batch were unbranded though. There was much noise made when Vodafone delayed the Froyo update and initially released firmware which had a branded splash screen and various other useless bits and pieces (eg links to dating services, Vodafone Live, etc etc). It was then retracted and an unbranded Froyo was subsequently released. This whole fiasco was even reported on TechRadar UK
I think Vodafone pay monthly phones are all unlocked. It says so on their website. If I remember correctly, their phones did used to be locked but you could request an unlock code once your contract was up (or I think pay a small fee). The only exception was the Blackberry Storm, but let's not reopen old wounds I think I threw mine hard into a brick wall
Hey there
I know I've been inactive on XDA for a while, I'm sorry for that
My Sensation has been stolen a while ago and I wasn't able to get it at all, so I'm planning of getting a new one. I live in Egypt and not planning of buying one from here at all.
I'm currently planning of getting an HTC Sensation XE, what you guys think about it? Or should I wait for the Sensation XL?
For now, I have a friend traveling to China, so maybe he'll buy it from there, is it a bad idea? What Software Versions come on Chinese Sensations?
About the price, will it be cheaper in China or USA?
Thanks a lot guys
I currently live in China and got my sensation here 2 weeks ago. I don't think there's an official Chinese version of Sensation. All I've seen here are black market handsets (I might be wrong though).
But what I'm certain is that most of the Sensation sold here is European version. They rooted the phone and replaced the ROM with those found in Hongkong or Taiwan version of the Sensation (so they can change the main language to Chinese).
When I purchased mine, I was offered that kind of handset for 2900CNY (without the memory card though, I even doubt the phone IMEI matches the box IMEI). There's also another set (Hongkong version) which is brand new, unrooted, still wrapped in original plastic packaging, and carried 8gb TF card). They do not need to do anything to this phone because it's Hongkong version, it supports Chinese by deafault. After some bargaining I managed to get it at 3130CNY.
230CNY difference, but if you minus the 8gb TF card (goes for around 100CNY), the difference is only about 130 CNY. But I feel much safer with the brand new handset. And so far I had no complaint at all.
Hope this helps
as a chinese, i wanna tell you that most htc phones' users in Mainland China are not using phones that should be sold in chinese mainland(most use phones that should be sold in HongKong and Taiwan, and my sensation should be sold in singapore), although we just buy them in mainland china. so our phones are not legal and have no guarantee. so don't buy cell phone in mainland china, obviously HK, TW, USA, or any other contries are better choices.
sorry for my bad english, i hope my reply can help you.
---------- Post added at 11:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 PM ----------
forzanetti said:
I currently live in China and got my sensation here 2 weeks ago. I don't think there's an official Chinese version of Sensation. All I've seen here are black market handsets (I might be wrong though).
But what I'm certain is that most of the Sensation sold here is European version. They rooted the phone and replaced the ROM with those found in Hongkong or Taiwan version of the Sensation (so they can change the main language to Chinese).
When I purchased mine, I was offered that kind of handset for 2900CNY (without the memory card though, I even doubt the phone IMEI matches the box IMEI). There's also another set (Hongkong version) which is brand new, unrooted, still wrapped in original plastic packaging, and carried 8gb TF card). They do not need to do anything to this phone because it's Hongkong version, it supports Chinese by deafault. After some bargaining I managed to get it at 3130CNY.
230CNY difference, but if you minus the 8gb TF card (goes for around 100CNY), the difference is only about 130 CNY. But I feel much safer with the brand new handset. And so far I had no complaint at all.
Hope this helps
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hey man, u r right but actually the most version in china is hongkong's ,taiwan's, and some other asian contry's(just like singapore version).
-=JohnDoe=- said:
hey man, u r right but actually the most version in china is hongkong's ,taiwan's, and some other asian contry's(just like singapore version).
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I was offered 欧版 which I assume is European version?? 港版 and 亚太版 are slightly more expensive..
Actually its more important to find a sim-free phone rather than what country its origins. Cos the roms can still be flashed but if you land with a sim-locked phone, it won't be easy for you.
forzanetti said:
I was offered 欧版 which I assume is European version?? 港版 and 亚太版 are slightly more expensive..
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yeah 欧版 is european version.
港版 and 亚太版 are more expensive just because they support chinese as original language
Thanks a lot guys!
Seems like a big deal buying it from china as I prefer buying one legally and still in the box..
So, seems like I'm buying an XE from Dubai What you think about this phone?
Any recommendations? Should I go for another phone instead? what you guys think?
Thanks again everybody
thunderskain said:
Actually its more important to find a sim-free phone rather than what country its origins. Cos the roms can still be flashed but if you land with a sim-locked phone, it won't be easy for you.
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I don't mind buying a sim-locked phone, I can manage it
I just need to find the right place to buy it from hahaha
I bought a HTC Sensation in the Netherlands and it seemed to be a imported united kingdom model and there was no Dutch neither Chinese in the list off languages.
However that was easy solved. You just need to download an app from the Market called MoreLocale 2
Because it seems in fact the language is there, but you can just not select it via the settings and need this app, as far as I saw it worked perfect because the HTC Sensation is not setup in Chinese.
DexterMorganNL said:
I bought a HTC Sensation in the Netherlands and it seemed to be a imported united kingdom model and there was no Dutch neither Chinese in the list off languages.
However that was easy solved. You just need to download an app from the Market called MoreLocale 2
Because it seems in fact the language is there, but you can just not select it via the settings and need this app, as far as I saw it worked perfect because the HTC Sensation is not setup in Chinese.
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Click to collapse
Thank you
I don't understand Chinese, I was just scared to buy a Sensation from China and to find it fake or without warranty..
I just didn't want to find myself with a Stock Chinese Rom, as I like using Stock Rom for the first week or two then start using Custom Roms..
claudenegm said:
Thanks a lot guys!
Seems like a big deal buying it from china as I prefer buying one legally and still in the box..
So, seems like I'm buying an XE from Dubai What you think about this phone?
Any recommendations? Should I go for another phone instead? what you guys think?
Thanks again everybody
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Click to collapse
It'll be slightly overpriced, but of you don't mind that, go for it!
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio Z715e using XDA App
Hello
I'll start by saying thank you for taking the time to read my post.
Unfortunately, my Z3 Compact suffered water damage and as a result has been playing up, I'm therefore looking to replace it with a similarly capable device without spending too much money, one device that has stuck out to me is the LG G Flex 2, I'm a big fan of the design and particularly interested due to the price it is currently available for at Expansys.
I am however aware that the G Flex 2 did initially suffer from some performance issues, I've noted that some users on this forum have stated these problems have gone away since the device has been updated, however with Expansys selling a non-UK model (I am based in the UK) and thus shipping an EU one, I'm unsure of whether the device I will receive will actually be able to be updated to fix said issues, is anyone aware of whether or not the retailer is shipping updatable models or whether the device will be stuck on an outdated firmware for a long time? I'd also like to know whether the warranty would be honoured in the UK, although I have noted the site states the warranty is EU wide.
I'd also appreciate any other comments and things you have to share regarding your experiences with the device as well.
Thanks again for your time
M Petterson
mpetterson said:
Hello
I'll start by saying thank you for taking the time to read my post.
Unfortunately, my Z3 Compact suffered water damage and as a result has been playing up, I'm therefore looking to replace it with a similarly capable device without spending too much money, one device that has stuck out to me is the LG G Flex 2, I'm a big fan of the design and particularly interested due to the price it is currently available for at Expansys.
I am however aware that the G Flex 2 did initially suffer from some performance issues, I've noted that some users on this forum have stated these problems have gone away since the device has been updated, however with Expansys selling a non-UK model (I am based in the UK) and thus shipping an EU one, I'm unsure of whether the device I will receive will actually be able to be updated to fix said issues, is anyone aware of whether or not the retailer is shipping updatable models or whether the device will be stuck on an outdated firmware for a long time? I'd also like to know whether the warranty would be honoured in the UK, although I have noted the site states the warranty is EU wide.
I'd also appreciate any other comments and things you have to share regarding your experiences with the device as well.
Thanks again for your time
M Petterson
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Click to collapse
- Performance problems are mostly fixed with the latest update. You can of course tweak it further with root and the available mods
- I bought a device in Austria and updates work fine in Germany
- I also sent it in to LG in Germany and they honored the warranty
How much are you paying? You can order it from Amazon Germany for 255 Euro.
JadenWSOP said:
- Performance problems are mostly fixed with the latest update. You can of course tweak it further with root and the available mods
- I bought a device in Austria and updates work fine in Germany
- I also sent it in to LG in Germany and they honored the warranty
How much are you paying? You can order it from Amazon Germany for 255 Euro.
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Click to collapse
The price is currently listed at £214.99 (2GB RAM/16GB ROM) from said retailer, although I have found another reputable store here in the UK, which will also sell the same version for £204.99, both include delivery.
My biggest concern with the purchase, is ending up with a device where I can't get updates due to it possibly being from a region, where updates aren't rolled out, seeing as both retailers don't specify which country their EU models are from.
I'm not sure if this is something that LG do with their devices, but I am aware other manufacturers roll out updates at different times dependent upon the region and as I know the updates have fixed many of the problems, it worries me a little that I could have to have those problems for however long I own the device, I don't know if anyone could clear that up for me perhaps or shed some light on the matter?
EDIT: I've taken a look at the Amazon listing, I believe however my bank will charge me for using €, I know I had some pretty big fees abroad, lol.
Like I said. I don't really think it matters where you are within Europe except Russia maybe if you have a EU model. You should get updates everywhere. As far as I know there is only one variant sold in Europe which is the H955. The UK model also seems to be the H955.
http://www.lg.com/uk/mobile-phones/lg-H955
I think they determine the country-related-updates via IP oder IMEI anyway.
As I said I wouldn't be concerned about it. Also there is the possibility to flash the .kdz-file manually via LG Flash Tools. I did so when the 15d version became available in Switzerland but not in Germany which was still on 15c.
Yeah, the banks are greedy bastards when it comes to conversion rates.
After reading up latest benchmark, it was pretty clear that snapdragon version was better then Exynos processor in quite a few areas, and wondered if its possible to buy a snapdragon version whilst in UK. If anyone managed to get one, how did you managed that? Thanks
Wonda Mobile seems to be the best place for us in the UK to purchase a Snapdragon version. I know of quite a few people that have gone down this route with no issues, but I think they are based in Hong Kong which could present some issues.
First of all there would be no incentives like Galaxy Buds etc
There would only be 12 months warranty instead of 24 months and in the event of a warranty claim the device would have to be shipped back at the owners expense.
Software updates would not be as frequent.
eVoHicks said:
Wonda Mobile seems to be the best place for us in the UK to purchase a Snapdragon version. I know of quite a few people that have gone down this route with no issues, but I think they are based in Hong Kong which could present some issues.
First of all there would be no incentives like Galaxy Buds etc
There would only be 12 months warranty instead of 24 months and in the event of a warranty claim the device would have to be shipped back at the owners expense.
Software updates would not be as frequent.
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Click to collapse
Ah right, thanks for that. that's a darn shame! Why, oh why did Samsung have 2 different processors in the first place baffles me!
tweedie said:
After reading up latest benchmark, it was pretty clear that snapdragon version was better then Exynos processor in quite a few areas, and wondered if its possible to buy a snapdragon version whilst in UK. If anyone managed to get one, how did you managed that? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something to consider, check which CSC Wonda Mobile is selling. Of the 3 SM-G9080 variants the TGY is the best CSC. CHC is the worst option since China restricts numerous apps. If they don't sell it various Hong Kong retailers are stocking it.
varcor said:
Something to consider, check which CSC Wonda Mobile is selling. Of the 3 SM-G9080 variants the TGY is the best CSC. CHC is the worst option since China restricts numerous apps. If they don't sell it various Hong Kong retailers are stocking it.
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Click to collapse
Much appreciated of your advise. never considered variants which giving me a nightmare flashback when I used to have an LG6 many years ago
As far as I know, Snapdragon 5G won't in the UK.