News Forum Phone database

> New Topic
> Reply
< Esato Forum Index > General discussions > General > De-Branding, why buy a branded phone in the first place? Bookmark topic


i agree with that. i've always got the branded handsets because they work out cheaper. it may take a litle time to debrand, but it is free and enjoyable learning how i can further customise the phone to my liking.



"Especially if we plan to de-brand it an unlock it as soon as possible, and thereby risk loss of warranty etc"
i minimise the chances of it becoming faulty by fully researching the phone. i tend to avoid unreliable manufacturers such as SE and also avoid lemons. consequently, i have never needed to send it off for repair.

[ This Message was edited by: Brightspark on 2009-01-20 13:48 ]
--
Posted: 2009-01-20 14:45:29
Edit : Quote


Apart from unlocking etc. mentioned above, also remember that many handsets are taken up by single networks as 'exclusives', which can often lead to other networks not carrying settings/supporting services of a particular model(obviously, this can be worked round, but a simfree handset will be configured by manufacturer for all particular networks in it's country of sale, out of the box)......

And there are a few handsets which never get taken up by our networks at all(i.e: N92, 7900 Crystal Prism, Porsche P'9521, ASUS P750,etc...), so will only ever be seen as they were intended by their manufacturers(and unfortunately, cost the proverbial fortune they do)......


--
Posted: 2009-01-20 14:48:24
Edit : Quote


I hate branded phones so much, in NZ i can't stand having "vodafone" or the logo stamped everywhere on the phone. even just having that logo replace the "cybershot" branding on the front of the k800i ruins it for me. As do the software icons etc. So i always buy parrallel imported models, fortunatly never had any warrantee problems because i've never had a breakdown.

But for the average joe i don't think they would know better to be honest, when the majority buy from shops and that's all they've ever used then some might not even be aware of generic firmware.. It's at the shop to purchase rather than having to go off and order an unbranded one( which remember they don't really know about) so sadly i don't think operators would ever remove their crap, since they're not losing that many sales, just those of people who know slightly better.
--
Posted: 2009-01-21 03:25:20
Edit : Quote




And yet no-one seems to understand "branding" and "SIM locking" and the business reasons behind them.

[ This Message was edited by: carkitter on 2009-01-21 09:32 ]
--
Posted: 2009-01-21 07:11:47
Edit : Quote


I just got K610im from StarHub Singapore two days ago... and it didn't allow me to install any java application.
Although it's already unlocked to other networks, I still can't send MMS since the setting is protected.

Now it's already unbranded and has K610 firmware.
--
Posted: 2009-01-21 09:55:49
Edit : Quote


@carkitter:
-To my understanding sim locking helps to make sure that people are forced to use their network, that's irritating but understandable buisness sense.
-With Logo and software branding, the user is effectively advertising the network when using it eg pull out your phone and people see "vodafone" on it they know to go to vodafone shops.
That's what i assume the logic is behind branding is, But i can say i still don't like it and that it actually puts me off more.
From you comment it seemed you implied i was missing something so i'd be happy to hear what you have to say



[ This Message was edited by: enk39 on 2009-01-21 09:53 ]
--
Posted: 2009-01-21 10:51:44
Edit : Quote


Just a minor query that popped.. What happens if you end up in a country where there is no "partner" network of the operator your phone is locked to? Buy a new phone?? Man, thats crap if its that way.

Thank lord we don't have branding stuff here in India.. although I do see them slowly creeping up with newer, high end releases.
--
Posted: 2009-01-21 10:56:04
Edit : Quote


Firstly, VodafoneNZ don't SIM lock their phones, except for the iPhone 3G but then all iPhones are SIM locked.

Second, all mobile phones have logo branding, whether it says , , Cybershot or Vodafone. I honestly don't see a problem with having a Vodafone logo on my phone - as a brand, I rate it quite highly and the large amount of Motorsport sponsorship they indulge in goes down well with me too.

Firmware branding is about directing customers to online services which provide a benefit to the user and a revenue stream to the network. Without online services, network charges would be higher for sure. Sometimes those services clash with phone features and I hate that like everybody else but I not going to 'cut off my nose despite my face' so to speak. I firmly believe that we should refuse to buy products and services that we don't like or approve off, not buy them then spend time breaking all the rules, hacking software and pretending we didn't for warranty purposes.

When VodafoneNZ announced they were going to SIM lock phones in anticipation of GSM competition from TelecomNZ, it was the massive public outcry that made then change their minds. And when they released rediculously expensive iPhone plans, the lack of customers caught their attention and they brought out some cheap plans, one of which was too good for me to pass up.

Its dialogue with networks we need not software hacks, that just makes the networks more determined - witness the lengths Apple has gone to this time round with the iPhone 3G.

[ This Message was edited by: carkitter on 2009-01-23 09:49 ]
--
Posted: 2009-01-23 10:47:37
Edit : Quote


Well you can always go through O2 or Carphone. But sometimes if your network is offering you a great upgrade offer then well there you go. I always go through Carphone now.
--
Posted: 2009-01-23 18:51:00
Edit : Quote


Yeahhh CPW will normally sell you an unbranded phone. O2 have minimal branding as well which doesn't really bother me
--
Posted: 2009-03-28 19:02:02
Edit : Quote

---

New Topic   Reply

Forum Index