Good questions here.
Originally Posted by
Peter Venkman Phil, looking forward to your thoughts on the Sprint version. Let me just consolidate a few questions:
1) Is there any branding?
See above.
2) What are the Sprint apps/bloatware added on?
Heh. You're gonna squeeze this thing out of me one graf at a time, eh? Directly from what I've written for the review thus far:
At risk of sounding like a broken record, not a lot has changed here for Sprint, either. We've got Sense 5 running atop Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. European-specific applications have been swapped out for Sprint-specific apps, mainly Sprint TV & Movies, Sprint Worldwide (which is a simple but helpful page with info for world travelers), and the Sprint Zone apps for downloading other Sprint specific apps. Sprint's also added Lookout Mobile Security, and there's a Qualcomm Enhanced Location Services app that's new to us, too.
There's also a section in the settings for activation on Sprint. All in all, pretty unobtrusive stuff, and remember that you can "hide" apps in the stock Sense 5 app drawer.
3) What is the charge-time (0% to 100%), and do any Sprint apps run in the background and affect the longevity of a daily charge?
No idea, actually, how long it takes from zero, but I can confirm that it's slower to charge than most other phones I've used. When I'm on the road, I charge whenever possible. At home, when I'm around Wifi most of the day, I only have to charge at night. Getting a good 12-15 hours out of it.
Your usage on Sprint, more than other networks, depends on how bad your signal is. And Sprint's horrid where I live.
4) Are you able to use simultaneous voice and data?
No go on EVDO Rev. A, obviously. Didn't get to test on LTE. See the OP for why.
5) Can you run some Speedtest app samples on LTE?
Again, read the OP. I'll put a screenie in the review, but I was only seeing 6 or so down, 1.3 or so up. Again, read the OP for why I'm not taking that as gospel.
6) Are you having any issues with the capacitive buttons? Some folks say they need to hit them several times to register a hit.
I think some folks are still getting used to the buttons. I've been using an M7 for a month now (three devices, actually) and have had no problems.
7) Are you having any issues with the headphone jack, or a low hissing? This is another reported problem.
The headphone jack makes no sound. Nor did I hear anything after plugging in my IE2s. (Interestingly: Plug in headphones and change the volume, and the volume level sound still comes from the speakers. WTF?)
8) Does the Sprint version come with all the same accessories as the int'l version, i.e. headphones, charger, cable, etc.?
Assuming the box I have is a white-label retail box, yes.
9) Can the headphones with the one-button remote be configured to do more than just answer/end a call, for instance, using an app like Headset Button Controller?
Dunno. Will play with that later.
10) I know you're job is to review stock models and versions of OEM hardware, but can you please, please, please load Nova or Apex and explain whether it gets ride of Blinkfeed, alters the lockscreen into something akin to 4.2.2, and how much of the app tray it alters into looking more like Jellybean? I'm curious to know where HTC leaves off and 3rd party launchers pick up.
Third-party launchers (I really don't like that term -- they're apps, just like any other) work just as they're supposed to. As Blinkfeed is part of the HTC launcher, it goes bye bye, too. (That said, I used the stock launcher for a long time without ever seeing Blinkfeed. Folks got way too worked up over that.) I've been using Action Launcher on it for a week or so without issue.
Thanks, as always, for your hard work.
No, thank you guys.