Hi all,
I am planning to buy the HTC Hero in Hong Kong, but since I have never used an Android phone before. there are a few questions that I would like some answers:
(Assumption) If I buy an imported UK or EU Hero tomorrow:
1. Can it display Asian languages on websites ... etc? If by default it can't, is there anyway to get around it?
2. Is the Chinese input built-into the system as an option like the Iphone? If not, is there a way to install the input system into it.
3. Will there be any restriction on the Android market, similar to Iphone, due to different geographical locations?
4. Any other issues need to beware for purchasing an imported Android?
Many Thanks
1. Yes
2. No. but you can download an chinese input app instead.
3. No.
4. Check if it is a sim-free phone or has it been unlocked already.
sorry to say
been to hk 3 times in the last year and a half...
you won't get one cheaper....i know i have looked when trying to get the latest phones.....buy it from the u.k.....you have been warned
I am from Hong Kong, so I can't reach out for the bundle deals in UK.
Since I can't wait for the local release, I am planning to buy the unlocked version thru UK websites. Therefore I need to make sure the imported ones can fulfil my basic mobile phone needs (Chinese support ... etc).
Yes, there are much less bundle deals in HK, but the tariffs are very cheap here, so there are much less subsidies to the handset price.
Related
Hi,
I'm really keen on getting a Flyer for various reasons. I've got an opportunity to potentially source one via our Hong Kong office.
Can anyone advise whether there are any differences between the Hong Kong and UK/EU version of the device?
Is there perhaps a firmware difference?
From a support angle, I'm guessing the warranty would only be good in Hong Kong, or does HTC do an international warranty?
Thanks
Iain
Bump.
Anyone any thoughts on the subject? Perhaps a different way of looking at is, is there any differences between the EU vs US vs ASIA versions (other than the inclusion of the Pen and Case)?
Thanks
Iain
ICHAPMAN said:
Bump.
Anyone any thoughts on the subject? Perhaps a different way of looking at is, is there any differences between the EU vs US vs ASIA versions (other than the inclusion of the Pen and Case)?
Thanks
Iain
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The easy way to find out any possible differences is to check HTC sites. Here are the links that will allow you to do your own comparisons:
US HTC Flyer
HK HTC Flyer
EU HTC Flyer
For customer support, you can check here.
Thanks rlydiard.
I'd already read these, on paper the EU and ASIA versions seem to be the same item (and in that case probably are at a hardware level).
When I'm unsure of is at the firmware level. Whether EU and ASIA share a firmware or does the HK version perhaps not include any English language components (for example).
Iain.
ICHAPMAN said:
Thanks rlydiard.
I'd already read these, on paper the EU and ASIA versions seem to be the same item (and in that case probably are at a hardware level).
When I'm unsure of is at the firmware level. Whether EU and ASIA share a firmware or does the HK version perhaps not include any English language components (for example).
Iain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the HTC Flyer is using Android, at least on OS level, you should be able to switch between various languages, just as with Android phones. I am not totally sure if that is the case with HTC's Sense that comes with the Flyer, but if it is not the case, I am quite sure that you would have a choice of English or Chinese in Hong Kong.
Perhaps someone in Asia who already has a Flyer can respond to this thread and clarify this issue for you.
I don't know about the different between the UK version and the HK one. I have the HK one and this is what I can tell you. Its has both Chinese and English Interface. Actually, I am using English interface all the time. It has Chinese Pen Input for Chinese user. It has some local Chinese Web site but I never use it. I don't see any problem if you are just using English only.
Thanks cychan.
So it would seem that that there are difference versions of the firmware.
I've just purchased one in Malaysia - which has a English/Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese (with Malaysian/Singapore English options) - doesn't have US/UK/AU English
Thanks all.
In addition to asking the question here I did also email HTC UK with a similar question. I thought some of you may be interested in HTC's response:
"Concerning your questions about using a Hong Kong Flyer in the UK I can help you with that.
If the HTC Flyer is SIM free and unbranded it will work in the UK and can be repair under warranty at the nearest international repair centre (the UK)."
So, the only disadvantage it seems of having a non-UK/EU model is that potentially firmware updates may take a little longer to arrive depending on HTC's release schedule. However, even that would only seem to be a delay of a couple of days, rather than weeks/months.
Thanks again
Iain
Changes (that i have found):
OK ... as stated only 3 languages (1 English)
When using with no SIM the operator is shown in Chinese characters on the lock screen REGARDLESS of language selected
Youtube most popular videos are China's most popular videos
Watch doesn't let you buy / rent movies on the Chinese version
Kris
I bought the WiFi only version from the official UK HTC flyer store (expansys) last Thursday and is currently being shipped to me in Australia. I was not aware of the different versions at the time and when they told me over the phone that it will be shipped from Hong Kong I thought nothing of it.
Now I am worried it will be an inferior version to the UK version I assumed I would be getting.
Does anyone know if the pen and case come with the HK version?
And should I be worried, or am I worrying for no reason? :-s
**update**
I Called Expansys and they confirmed that the one on its way to me was shipped from HK and box contents includes pen and case. Also that it should not be any different just because it was shipped from HK, they just have a warehouse out there to supply that part of the world. If this turns out to be untrue I'll update my post again. Feeling a bit better now
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA Premium App
I'm thinking of buying the sim free S3 in either amazon.fr or amazon.de because it's cheaper than in my country and that way I wont have to buy a charger like I would if ordering from UK (Portugal doesn't have an official price yet but if the unlocked HOX costs about 699 € S3 will be at least that much).
It will be my first samsung and from what i've been reading there's a lot of firmware versions (In my htc desire I just had to search for a "world wide english" version) will I have to stick with the firmware from france or germany when updating or can I just flash any firmware from "Portugal" or "Open Europe" later? Will the original firmware have any problems working in other countrys?
Thanks
I always try buying from Amazon.de if it is possible, and i have also bought many times from UK Amazon as well, so I would recommend German one, the delivery is quicker, the prices are better.
camspy said:
I always try buying from Amazon.de if it is possible, and i have also bought many times from UK Amazon as well, so I would recommend German one, the delivery is quicker, the prices are better.
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Click to collapse
good call mate your spot on it is cheaper on the German Amazon and Google translate does the job when ordering so no language barrier, how long for delivery though to the rest of Europe and i assume no excess is paid like if you order a product from USA,etc?
I've ordered mine from the German Amazon. Had it pre ordered from Expansys, but they are selling the S3 at a much higher price, so I ended up canceling the order.
Cheers
Yeah ill definily be ordering from the German Amazon website, the UK one is much higher and don't get me started on the likes on Play.com and expansys they are about €90 dearer than Amazon.de
---------- Post added at 10:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 PM ----------
Wont make any difference at all but emailed expansys
I notice on your website you are charging €664.99 for the Samsung Galaxy S3 but on the German Amazon website it is available for €588.80 plus €7 postage with a delivery time of between 2 to 9 days but having uses Amazon.de before they usually deliver within 5 days or less so im wondering what incentive it would give me to spend an extra €70 odd quid with Expansys?
http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463375173&pf_rd_i=301128
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They'll offer you a 16Gb micro sd for that extra money.... now that's a great deal!! xD
jonny68 said:
good call mate your spot on it is cheaper on the German Amazon and Google translate does the job when ordering so no language barrier, how long for delivery though to the rest of Europe and i assume no excess is paid like if you order a product from USA,etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People from different countries have different delivery methods available
Hello guys !
Anyone have a good feedback from the amazon.de ?? never bought there anything from them before and im also interested in buying from them also !!
Some feedback would be nice, especially from portuguese people !!
Regards
Limaspt
What can i say, they are Amazon, so they follow the same standards. Good service, good customer support
Can anyone help with the original post questions?
Hello,
If i understand your question you want to know if the software will work in our language, if this is the case you can be rested, since the moment you turn on your phone for the first time you can put the base language in portuguese, english, french and some others.
The only thing that wont work in portuguese its the Svoice, there are no suport in our beloved language.
Hope it helps !!
Regards
Limas
Also, just be aware that, if you order from Amazon.de or .fr, their website price will be at their VAT, eg 19% for Germany, but you will be charged at the VAT rate for the delivery country, 23% I believe in Portugal. So the price from German Amazon would be about 608,59€ plus postage for delivery to Portugal. It only shows up after you have inserted your delivery address. That may still be good value for you but you should be aware of it.
EDIT: Though having just looked at the price on French Amazon, I am sure you won't want to buy from there. 649€!
Thanks for the answers. I should be able to change the firmware to a diferent official one or do i have to stick with the stock one (from germany for example)?
javelar said:
Thanks for the answers. I should be able to change the firmware to a diferent official one or do i have to stick with the stock one (from germany for example)?
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Click to collapse
Let's say that after the phone is out for sale you will be able to change almost anything in the soft/firmware, the guys here in the XDA are magicians, they can do almost everything... so no need for worrys.
There is only one "but", its our country itself, the things here usualy go on a slow pace, im almost 100% sure that we will need about 2 or 3 months to have a official portuguese rom, but, trust me, if you are in the android wave the las thing you will want its a official portuguese rom.... im talking for the experience i have with android devices.
The SIII will be the third android device i will have, and i really hope that i dont have to stuck with our roms, they are heavy and full of "crap".
When i buy a phone i like to costumise it at my own taste, and not be obliged to have software that i dont want it.... that its what our phone companys do, they make you use what you dont want.....
Best regards
Limaspt
Limaspt said:
Let's say that after the phone is out for sale you will be able to change almost anything in the soft/firmware, the guys here in the XDA are magicians, they can do almost everything... so no need for worrys.
There is only one "but", its our country itself, the things here usualy go on a slow pace, im almost 100% sure that we will need about 2 or 3 months to have a official portuguese rom, but, trust me, if you are in the android wave the las thing you will want its a official portuguese rom.... im talking for the experience i have with android devices.
The SIII will be the third android device i will have, and i really hope that i dont have to stuck with our roms, they are heavy and full of "crap".
When i buy a phone i like to costumise it at my own taste, and not be obliged to have software that i dont want it.... that its what our phone companys do, they make you use what you dont want.....
Best regards
Limaspt
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Click to collapse
Joining this discussion a little late, after having ordered my SIII from amazon.de and having it delivered to Italy, I can say that the portuguese (TPH) ROM is preferable to the original German ROM. The bloatware included in the German version is absent in the Portuguese one. Unfortunately, SVoice still doesn't support Portuguese.
Another complete mess is samsung apps, I created my account with a Belgium SIM and now it won't let me install anything unless I have that or another Belgium SIM; if I have an Italian or Portuguese SIM in the phone it will ***** and moan that my samsung account is for Belgium only.
I am living in Thailand and have bought my SGS3 here and in my notifications it is asking me to set up my Software updater. Here it asks you to select your country. While I live here in Thailand I am not Thai and would like my phone to behave as though it was bought and used in Canada. I am wondering if i should change this option here to canada or leave it at the already defaulted Thailand. I am not interested in having anything to do with thailand as part of this phone, I dont remember ever having to choose and option like this on my many other android devices.
Anyone? thanks
Blaiz
Well I Chose the Thai country in Thai writing otherwise it was a continual notification. I'm just interested in how this effects OTAs
+1
Speaking from my experience with the Galaxy Note, the country you choose in that screen has no bearing on when you get updates -- the intended market of the ROM determines that. There were ROMs for almost every major country, and, for example, the German ROMs were usually getting updates earlier (even if your phone was initially shipped with the ROM of another country).
Because of a good price (at least better than in my country) i'm considering to buy this phone from amazon.de but in description it is labeled "german version" which brings up to me a concern about languages available on it out of the box. Does it have just german? Or multiple languages? This may seem to be odd question but i'm not much into phones and i'm not sure if there can be limited list of available languages or should be all languages available. I will be thankful for answer.
My husband bought the Honor 10 from Germany (Amazon) and on first start up it brings up a long list of languages to choose from. It's just the standard Android 8.1 with Emui 8.1 on top. I'm sure you can choose any common language.
Wonderful, thanks for answer, a lot!
I asked the same question directly to amazon.de and they replied to me product is described as german version so mildly put, i wasn't satisfied with their answer. Sometimes it is better to ask someone who actually owns a product rather than asking a question to selling company.
I do think there is an European Version of the Software (C432) but still you can select any available language. If you buy an Asian variant with a different CUST number (firmware), you will still able to change the language to English, German etc... only the pre-installed software may vary from region to region (Chinese version does not come pre bundled with Google apps for example).
To be specific i'm interested if there is polish language (may be listed as "Polski") available, in the worst case english will be fine enough.
Pretty sure that is no problem.
I also have the German model and I can confirm that this is just a European version. All usual European languages are available, including Polish (I checked that explicitly).
Xiara said:
I also have the German model and I can confirm that this is just a European version. All usual European languages are available, including Polish (I checked that explicitly).
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Click to collapse
Thank you a lot, now i can safely purchase this phone without worries.
On Monday, it's Prime Day in Germany. No idea if the Phone will be cheaper but maybe you are lucky.
all the pugs said:
On Monday, it's Prime Day in Germany. No idea if the Phone will be cheaper but maybe you are lucky.
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Click to collapse
That's what i'm counting on
Hello mates
I'm lookin forward to buy my first huawai device, but I'm not sure where I should buy the device. Let me explain this a litte bit more:
I could buy the Mate 20 Pro directly from Switzerland, for a very good price. But I also coud buy the device from Germany, also okayish price.
Now I'm not sure if it is a difference if I buy a non branded device from one of these countries, in the term of how I receive Updates.
In the past I used a Samsung Device bought in Switzerland, and my German Neigbours got their updates Months before it was availible in Switzerland.
Do you know if Huawai also uses different Region Updates, or is there someone, who owns the device from switzerland/germany who is at the newst version, were they released on the same date?
If you're in CH , buy in CH for the guarantee. As for the updates, they are really random on Huawei. I got my M20P friday (from CH), I put my SIM inside and got the -.122 (two patches) directly. Some people who got their phones in the UK, but live in the UK, depending of which SIM they put inside they did or didn't get the last update. For example people who had an EE or O2 SIM didn't get the update, they then swapped to a Vodafone SIM and got their update right away. There is THREAD discussing this.