Right now I have a choice between original HTC Diamond or the US version but I am not sure which one to pick. Can anyone please shed some light on this? Thank you in advance!
it would help if you were to mention where you live (US vs. Europe) and travel to, and other things factoring into your decision. if you're in the US (e.g., live here) go with the US version because it has the correct 3G radio; high-speed internet access on your phone AND 850 band which provides better signal..
Sorry, I live in US and on T-Mobile network.
Main difference between the EU and US models lies in the 3G/HSDPA data connections. While serious doubts/uncertainties on the use of EU model for 3G on T-Mobile (only 26 cities in the US so far) have been raised (details can be found in this thread), the US model will allow you to use the 3G/HSDPA data connection should you decide to switch to AT&T in the future. Second, the EU model has a front camera for video conferencing, but I was told neither T-Mobile nor AT&T would make this option available to their phone customers at this time. There are software available through Wifi for video conferencing as I learned from this thread, and you would need the EU model to do it if it works (I haven't tried). Google Maps, third, is not installed in the EU model, but there is a CAB file to be downloaded from this thread or the google website. Price wise, at last, the US model is a little cheaper than the EU model by $10-$20 USD (may due to the lack of the front camera?). There have been reports in this thread about yellow/green/wash-out background in the US model. This may be something you want to check closely if you want to consider the US model.
I read some other thread here which points out that the Euro version has the yellow spots and yellow tint problem, not the US version.
tzour said:
Main difference between the EU and US models lies in the 3G/HSDPA data connections. While serious doubts/uncertainties on the use of EU model for 3G on T-Mobile (only 26 cities in the US so far) have been raised (details can be found in this thread), the US model will allow you to use the 3G/HSDPA data connection should you decide to switch to AT&T in the future. Second, the EU model has a front camera for video conferencing, but I was told neither T-Mobile nor AT&T would make this option available to their phone customers at this time. There are software available through Wifi for video conferencing as I learned from this thread, and you would need the EU model to do it if it works (I haven't tried). Google Maps, third, is not installed in the EU model, but there is a CAB file to be downloaded from this thread or the google website. Price wise, at last, the US model is a little cheaper than the EU model by $10-$20 USD (may due to the lack of the front camera?). There have been reports in this thread about yellow/green/wash-out background in the US model. This may be something you want to check closely if you want to consider the US model.
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Click to collapse
good clarification on the 3G network; T-Mobile uses, I believe, the 1700 3G band in the US and att uses the 850/1900 3G band. also, if you weren't aware, the US version of the Diamond is available at Best Buy Mobile, typically located in Best Buy stoes.
datzent83 said:
I read some other thread here which points out that the Euro version has the yellow spots and yellow tint problem, not the US version.
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Then probably yellow tints/stripes are found for both models:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=426319&page=10, which is for the US 3G Diamond.. sigh
@cortez.i: Thank you for confirming the complicated 3G issues
The US version is also more easily returned and exchanged by just going into a Best Buy and it will be better covered under the warranty from HTC. HTC is not pleased that companies like Expansys sell Euro HTC phones to customers in the US and says it won't fully cover those phones. You can't use either model on 3G on T-Mobile USA, so for you the main difference would be the warranty.
So I have owned the Tencent version of ROG Phone 2 for a week now and I am in love with it. I contacted Asus today just to make sure that there is warranty on it. They said that the warranty is only for China, not for NA (I am in Canada). So, that's a bad news for me. I have a few questions, if I keep this device:
1. How can I make sure what version of ROM is installed? Global or CN?
2. Will I ever be able to update the device? I am not just talking about OTA, if possible can I update by flashing the updated version of ROM?
3. What do you think about the hardware? I mean, do you think this hardware can last for long without issues as there is no warranty?
I really don't want to return this device. If there are only going to be troubles later, I should still just return the device. What do you think?
I would personally return the device, but it's my personal preference to only buy what's released for my country (the U.S. In my case). Not just for warranty, but you may have issues getting tech support, it's lower spec than the global options, less frequency bands, and I just don't want to deal with the extra headaches that can come of grey market products. I know that cheap price is tempting, but it's not worth it in my opinion.
1. The firmware version will say CN or WW on it
2. Yes manually by putting the rom file from https://www.asus.com/Phone/ROG-Phone-II/HelpDesk_BIOS/ into the root directory. It is very easy as the OS will detect the update file.
3. I've never had to RMA any phone so to me, that one year of warranty is not very useful. Asus is a good brand as they're a big brand in the computer industry so I have more confidence in them especially their ROG brand.
I am using this in Canada, it has all the important bands which is 4 and 7 for the major carriers. It's not worth spending double. in my opinion just to get bands and warranty. I got the phone for $680 cad which I call a bargain, the global version easily costs double that after taxes. There is no way I would even consider the global version ROG 2 at price it's selling in north america. I've owned many many flagship phones and this one is definitely at the very top of list of the best phones I have ever owned.
i bought it for $500 directly in China. Don't waste money with the global version. 12gb or ram are totally useless there is no game designed to use that amount of ram. I personally kept the CN firmware to get OTA updates and I got rid manually of all chinese crap connecting the ROG to a pc (you can find a post in this forum about that). Now the phone is totally in English. The reception is flawless under T-Mobile. Save these extra $500 compared to the Global version, you will have already the budget next year to buy another ROG III CN
AdamxDesolator said:
i bought it for $500 directly in China. Don't waste money with the global version. 12gb or ram are totally useless there is no game designed to use that amount of ram. I personally kept the CN firmware to get OTA updates and I got rid manually of all chinese crap connecting the ROG to a pc (you can find a post in this forum about that). Now the phone is totally in English. The reception is flawless under T-Mobile. Save these extra $500 compared to the Global version, you will have already the budget next year to buy another ROG III CN
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If you can give us the URL of the thread to rid the Chinese crap and make it totally English , thanks.
AdamxDesolator said:
i bought it for $500 directly in China. Don't waste money with the global version. 12gb or ram are totally useless there is no game designed to use that amount of ram. I personally kept the CN firmware to get OTA updates and I got rid manually of all chinese crap connecting the ROG to a pc (you can find a post in this forum about that). Now the phone is totally in English. The reception is flawless under T-Mobile. Save these extra $500 compared to the Global version, you will have already the budget next year to buy another ROG III CN
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"Waste of money" is a matter of personal opinion. The 8//128 Tencent version has a Chinese market focused radio that covers a very small set of bands for North American carriers. Just because it works for you in your particular area, doesn't mean he will have coverage in his area on his carrier. Also, Android will use more RAM if there is more RAM available (so it can speed things up by caching more things in RAM).
The extra $400, you are getting most importantly an official warranty and a wider-coverage radio for North America with legit OTA updates. Of course, the 12GB RAM, 512GB storage, 30W charger, Aero fan, case is all part of the package. Whether that is worth it to someone is dependent on their personal circumstances (disposable income, location of band coverage, etc.)
Background:
I am located in Canada running a old import( 2016), Huawei Honor Note 8 which I really have liked - screen 2560*1440 and hardware quality running the EMUI & Android ver 8 and last security patch Jan 2021, with the last year, l lost Google account access as Google or the phone itself won't allow account authentication from it no longer, which is an ecosystem that I use personally and also need for work - Google Classroom (teacher). i.e. no access to Google play and or their services now, plus I have to re-initiate some apps from minimizing/crashing ., so....
Looking at the Vivo X fold as a possibility (also the Sam Fold 4). I know the hardware is far superior compared to other foldables and I like the quality and front screen size of the Vivo X Fold.
Aware that the software is not going to work without tweaks and fiddling around in some cases, so I am on the fence with this at the moment. I am waiting to see what the Samsung Fold 4 has to offer, but suspect it will not change much from the fold 3, short of SOC update, camera update, hinge update, inside screen film thickness improvement to 60 microns, slight size update for the better, from leaks.
Meanwhile, knowing Vivo X Fold is a Chinese import (software isn't going to work 100% which I can live with and understand from my current phone), my biggest concern is multi-tasking looks very weak from reviews I have seen it compared to the Fold 3, with the Mate X being the best, but it doesn't have Google services which I need - so hence software and multi-tasking will be better on the Fold 4 with s-pen, BUT screen size and hardware quality is a BIG negative for me in comparison to the Vivo X Fold.
Questions:
Hence the reason why I am on the fence with the Vivo X Fold. Vivo claims 3 years of updates and so maybe they update, fix, and improve the multi-tasking but it may never get fixed, nor does it look like there will be a global version put out at this point - am I right, and has Vivo in the past been good with update improvements after phone is released?
Any of you that are currently using the Vivo X Fold here in America as a main driver phone have any further thoughts on - if this Vivo X fold is the best foldable option, as the Samsung fold 4 I suspect is not going to be much of an improvement (size/quality) when it is announced Aug 10?
Also, on the Vivo X Fold, has anyone successfully used the Alexa App for smart home control, I assume this will work with the Chinese ROM like most other apps right - anyone confirm this?
As for purchasing the Vivo X Fold, I have read here, that Wonda ships really quick (less than a week to Canada) and also heard good things with Gizpro but 20 days to get, so maybe Wonda is the best option (currently a little cheaper too, about $50), any further thoughts?
Q-Prof said:
Background:
I am located in Canada running a old import( 2016), Huawei Honor Note 8 which I really have liked - screen 2560*1440 and hardware quality running the EMUI & Android ver 8 and last security patch Jan 2021, with the last year, l lost Google account access as Google or the phone itself won't allow account authentication from it no longer, which is an ecosystem that I use personally and also need for work - Google Classroom (teacher). i.e. no access to Google play and or their services now, plus I have to re-initiate some apps from minimizing/crashing ., so....
Looking at the Vivo X fold as a possibility (also the Sam Fold 4). I know the hardware is far superior compared to other foldables and I like the quality and front screen size of the Vivo X Fold.
Aware that the software is not going to work without tweaks and fiddling around in some cases, so I am on the fence with this at the moment. I am waiting to see what the Samsung Fold 4 has to offer, but suspect it will not change much from the fold 3, short of SOC update, camera update, hinge update, inside screen film thickness improvement to 60 microns, slight size update for the better, from leaks.
Meanwhile, knowing Vivo X Fold is a Chinese import (software isn't going to work 100% which I can live with and understand from my current phone), my biggest concern is multi-tasking looks very weak from reviews I have seen it compared to the Fold 3, with the Mate X being the best, but it doesn't have Google services which I need - so hence software and multi-tasking will be better on the Fold 4 with s-pen, BUT screen size and hardware quality is a BIG negative for me in comparison to the Vivo X Fold.
Questions:
Hence the reason why I am on the fence with the Vivo X Fold. Vivo claims 3 years of updates and so maybe they update, fix, and improve the multi-tasking but it may never get fixed, nor does it look like there will be a global version put out at this point - am I right, and has Vivo in the past been good with update improvements after phone is released?
Any of you that are currently using the Vivo X Fold here in America as a main driver phone have any further thoughts on - if this Vivo X fold is the best foldable option, as the Samsung fold 4 I suspect is not going to be much of an improvement (size/quality) when it is announced Aug 10?
Also, on the Vivo X Fold, has anyone successfully used the Alexa App for smart home control, I assume this will work with the Chinese ROM like most other apps right - anyone confirm this?
As for purchasing the Vivo X Fold, I have read here, that Wonda ships really quick (less than a week to Canada) and also heard good things with Gizpro but 20 days to get, so maybe Wonda is the best option (currently a little cheaper too, about $50), any further thoughts?
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None of the Canadian mobile phone carriers will enable VoLTE on Vivo phones, so your voice calls will drop to 3G which will become problematic when the Canadians follow their neighbors to the South and shut down 3G networks. My choice for foldables would be Huawei, Vivo, and Samsung, in that order, but because there are no Google services with Huawei I have to choose between Vivo with no VoLTE in Canada or Samsung which has VoLTE support from all the Canadian carriers. I like my current Vivo X Note, but know that as VoLTE will be required in a year or so in Canada in order to place voice calls, I will probably invest in the Samsung.
frcraig said:
None of the Canadian mobile phone carriers will enable VoLTE on Vivo phones, so your voice calls will drop to 3G which will become problematic when the Canadians follow their neighbors to the South and shut down 3G networks. My choice for foldables would be Huawei, Vivo, and Samsung, in that order, but because there are no Google services with Huawei I have to choose between Vivo with no VoLTE in Canada or Samsung which has VoLTE support from all the Canadian carriers. I like my current Vivo X Note, but know that as VoLTE will be required in a year or so in Canada in order to place voice calls, I will probably invest in the Samsung.
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Thanks for you input, Interesting frcraig,
Nice to hear from someone who is using the Vivo X Fold and likes it. I am going to hold, to see what the Samsung Fold 4 has to offer, but your feedback sounds like the Vivo X Fold in Canada is not going to be a good choice without the VoLTE / 3G issues and appreciate your insight....
For Huawei being a better choice and I agree with the the BIG issue with no Google account services, as reviews have talked about its flexible, efficient, and smooth multi-tasking, but personally I am a little concerned with the outside fold form factor and breakage.
I was not aware of this VoLTE limitation, and assume this is something you know from your current carrier, I assume?
After checking what exactly VoLTE is, I looked up my current provider (currently with Fido in Canada re VoLTE) and this Canadian APN site which say the Vivo X Fold is overall 100% compatible, with 4G on LTE band 7 and possibly also 4 and 17 in some locations, so it "looks like" Fido will work with VoLTE, unless I am missing something?...
Why do you say Canadian mobile phone carriers will not enable VoLTE on the Vivo phones... is it because it is an import, if so how do you know this?
Any further info on Vivo's Android Origin OS for this phone in terms of possible updates to improve the multi-tasking based on recent and past track record, experience with using the Alexa App, or purchasing direction?
Q-Prof said:
Thanks for you input, Interesting frcraig,
Nice to hear from someone who is using the Vivo X Fold and likes it. I am going to hold, to see what the Samsung Fold 4 has to offer, but your feedback sounds like the Vivo X Fold in Canada is not going to be a good choice without the VoLTE / 3G issues and appreciate your insight....
For Huawei being a better choice and I agree with the the BIG issue with no Google account services, as reviews have talked about its flexible, efficient, and smooth multi-tasking, but personally I am a little concerned with the outside fold form factor and breakage.
I was not aware of this VoLTE limitation, and assume this is something you know from your current carrier, I assume?
After checking what exactly VoLTE is, I looked up my current provider (currently with Fido in Canada re VoLTE) and this Canadian APN site which say the Vivo X Fold is overall 100% compatible, with 4G on LTE band 7 and possibly also 4 and 17 in some locations, so it "looks like" Fido will work with VoLTE, unless I am missing something?...
Why do you say Canadian mobile phone carriers will not enable VoLTE on the Vivo phones... is it because it is an import, if so how do you know this?
Any further info on Vivo's Android Origin OS for this phone in terms of possible updates to improve the multi-tasking based on recent and past track record, experience with using the Alexa App, or purchasing direction?
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frcraig,
I was looking at several of your recent comments already, and see your efforts/limitation of getting (provisioning) VoLTE on your phone, that doesn't allow you to select VoLTE on your phone and your Roger Carrier in Halifax is giving you the run-a-round with different answers, meanwhile your wife's import phone does, both not purchased from the carrier, so sorry to hear, as this must be very frustrating.
You would think this VoLTE issue, someone would have an easy solution/tutorial to it, to get this to work.
I am now wondering if I call Fido or one of the big three carriers such as rogers, in Toronto, if there would be any different answers/support? I have accounts with both, my current phone with Fido and home internet with Rogers.
Side question, noticed you have the Note X from your comments, how you liking that phone other than the VoLTE issue?
Q-Prof said:
frcraig,
I was looking at several of your recent comments already, and see your efforts/limitation of getting (provisioning) VoLTE on your phone, that doesn't allow you to select VoLTE on your phone and your Roger Carrier in Halifax is giving you the run-a-round with different answers, meanwhile your wife's import phone does, both not purchased from the carrier, so sorry to hear, as this must be very frustrating.
You would think this VoLTE issue, someone would have an easy solution/tutorial to it, to get this to work.
I am now wondering if I call Fido or one of the big three carriers such as rogers, in Toronto, if there would be any different answers/support? I have accounts with both, my current phone with Fido and home internet with Rogers.
Side question, noticed you have the Note X from your comments, how you liking that phone other than the VoLTE issue?
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No issues other than VoLTE. I've debloated the phone and replaced the Chinese and Vivo stock apps with their Google equivalents. The voice activation for the Google Assistant "OK Google" won't work because of the baked in Chinese voice assistant, but I just put a widget for Google Assistant on the home screen and tap it to get the phone to listen to Google voice commands (send texts, etc.) Android Auto and Google Maps history don't work, but I never liked Android Auto anyway. There are few oddities, like Google Messages won't display notifications when the phone is in dark mode, but I replaced the stock app with Chomp and it works fine. The issue with VoLTE is interesting. After the adoption of 4g (LTE) phones continued to drop to 3G connections for voice calls. The Voice over LTE technology was added to firmware for all modern phones, but the settings for VoLTE only appear in Settings/Mobile Networks if the SIM card from the carrier is configured to make those settings appear. You can't enable VoLTE without the settings on non-rooted phones. You can connect to 5G without any problem on these phones and the connection is great for downloads, streaming, etc., but without VoLTE enabled voice calls drop to 3G. The carriers won't provision their SIM cards to allow you to enable VoLTE unless the phone manufacturer has paid them to "certify" their device for VoLTE on the carrier's network. It is really just a licensing fee, which Vivo won't pay to the Canadian carriers because with the low volume of sales in Canada it isn't in their economic interest to do so. They have certified their devices with T-Mobile in the US and with most UK and European carriers, so they can enable VoLTE, but Canadian carriers have only certified Samsung and Apple products and a few older Huawei devices like the Mate 20 X. Because I often travel to the States I use a Google Voice number to place and receive voice calls over the 5G networks when I'm there. VOIP on mobile data sounds the same to me as HD Voice on VoLTE and it gets the job done, and I'm content with 3G voice here in Canada while those networks are still up. The CRTC has approved their shutdown in December 2023.
frcraig,
Really appreciate you sharing the details and depth of the VoLTE not being offered with the Vivo's phones in Canada.
That is a shame that Vivo wont pay the licensing fees to at least one carrier in Canada, at least that would give us Canadians one option, as I really wanted to get the Vivo X fold (very sad now, feel like contacting Vivo to give them my feedback on them not getting the certification licensing for VoLTE) and would have happily switched carriers.... was even looking at their Note X, as that is basically a new version of my current old import ( 2016), Huawei Honor Note 8 with the 7" screen, as Vivo''s phones remind me of Huawei, their quality and offerings, and in the case of the Vivo X Fold, the wider form factor, which I really appreciate.
So the carrier could offer it but wont over money "certify"... I wonder (lol, wishful thinking) if it would be possible to just pay a surcharge from our end, if it is really just about money. Making calls over Data like Voip is doable, but the whole point of having the phone is to be able to make those voice calls through the current cell protocols.
Here I was worried about the multi-tasking software, hoping it would be improved with future updates and very much willing to live with the usual import Chinese software issues, as I have already done the last 7 years, now knowing that the Voice over LTE is not provisioned on the sim cards for Vivo phones and with the 3G as you say is going to be phased out after Dec 2023, doesn''t leave much options for voice calls and seems so unfair to users. I feel like calling my provider up and giving them an ear full, as to why they can't offer some kind of solution for us, so people can get the phone they want to buy. Shame about Huawei''s Google services as that would be my second choice for their fold with the smooth multitasking. If Vivo were more directly offered/known here in Canada (with VoLTE licensing), I am sure they would have a lot of people switching from the Samsung folds to Vivo's X fold, as it is a form factor and quality that would prevail.
Another thing, It;s too bad that T-Mobile and others were not allowed into the Canadian market, as this would be good for healthy competition, to bring our high premium mobile and internet phone service prices down, as Canadian companies have a monopoly on us.
frcraig said:
No issues other than VoLTE. I've debloated the phone and replaced the Chinese and Vivo stock apps with their Google equivalents. The voice activation for the Google Assistant "OK Google" won't work because of the baked in Chinese voice assistant, but I just put a widget for Google Assistant on the home screen and tap it to get the phone to listen to Google voice commands (send texts, etc.) Android Auto and Google Maps history don't work, but I never liked Android Auto anyway. There are few oddities, like Google Messages won't display notifications when the phone is in dark mode, but I replaced the stock app with Chomp and it works fine. The issue with VoLTE is interesting. After the adoption of 4g (LTE) phones continued to drop to 3G connections for voice calls. The Voice over LTE technology was added to firmware for all modern phones, but the settings for VoLTE only appear in Settings/Mobile Networks if the SIM card from the carrier is configured to make those settings appear. You can't enable VoLTE without the settings on non-rooted phones. You can connect to 5G without any problem on these phones and the connection is great for downloads, streaming, etc., but without VoLTE enabled voice calls drop to 3G. The carriers won't provision their SIM cards to allow you to enable VoLTE unless the phone manufacturer has paid them to "certify" their device for VoLTE on the carrier's network. It is really just a licensing fee, which Vivo won't pay to the Canadian carriers because with the low volume of sales in Canada it isn't in their economic interest to do so. They have certified their devices with T-Mobile in the US and with most UK and European carriers, so they can enable VoLTE, but Canadian carriers have only certified Samsung and Apple products and a few older Huawei devices like the Mate 20 X. Because I often travel to the States I use a Google Voice number to place and receive voice calls over the 5G networks when I'm there. VOIP on mobile data sounds the same to me as HD Voice on VoLTE and it gets the job done, and I'm content with 3G voice here in Canada while those networks are still up. The CRTC has approved their shutdown in December 2023.
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FrCraig,
I was on the phone with Rogers Tech support today, started a new thread here about no VoLTE on the Vivo X fold in Canada.
I know it seems that this is a full stop - no VoLTE from what you have found out, but just in case someone else has had success, they could share their experiences here, as I am sure there would be a lot of interested users that would rather have the Vivo X Fold over the Samsung Fold 4, like myself, but the absence of VoLTE is a major issue.
I assume you did update you hardware Sim Card with your Rogers as another step to getting the VoLTE working also, right?
Yes. I'm using a new 5G Rogers SIM. I even went out to the Bell office and had one of their sales people put a his 5G Bell SIM into the phone to see if the VoLTE settings appeared, and they didn't. He called his tech support people and they said no VoLTE on Vivo phones. I'm assuming it is the same with Telus and Shaw.
Ok, that is good to know, so Bell also, wow... ugh hard to believe with such an amazing phone, at least the form factor and hardware quality a lot better than the Samsung fold.
Have you tried the BIOS code to switch it on: "*#*#4636#*#*" it is supposed to be a universal code to switch that radio on if it is off, or use it to turn off and back on to reset it - here is a video showing this process using the Redmi Note, @ the 5 min time stamp?
frcraig said:
Yes. I'm using a new 5G Rogers SIM. I even went out to the Bell office and had one of their sales people put a his 5G Bell SIM into the phone to see if the VoLTE settings appeared, and they didn't. He called his tech support people and they said no VoLTE on Vivo phones. I'm assuming it is the same with Telus and Shaw.
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Think I am going with the Samsung Z Fold 4 instead of the Vivo X Fold. I REALLY like the quality and form factor of the Vivo X Fold and would endure the lack of multi-tasking. Even with the rumored Vivo X Fold S possibly coming out in the near future with processor upgrade and the global Funtouch, without that VoLTE not working here in Canada, just can't do it.
I pre-ordered the Samsung Z Fold 4, the new Buds Pro 2, and the new Watch 5Pro, Phone case, etc., I hope I don't regret this as I am not happy with the front narrow screen, and don't think I am going to get use to it, but I am going to try it, focus on one hand operation on front screen and two hands on internal fold screen for usability.
Thanks again for all of the Feedback in several threads here, especially frcraig, very knowledgeable and helpful!
Q-Prof said:
Think I am going with the Samsung Z Fold 4 instead of the Vivo X Fold. I REALLY like the quality and form factor of the Vivo X Fold and would endure the lack of multi-tasking. Even with the rumored Vivo X Fold S possibly coming out in the near future with processor upgrade and the global Funtouch, without that VoLTE not working here in Canada, just can't do it.
I pre-ordered the Samsung Z Fold 4, the new Buds Pro 2, and the new Watch 5Pro, Phone case, etc., I hope I don't regret this as I am not happy with the front narrow screen, and don't think I am going to get use to it, but I am going to try it, focus on one hand operation on front screen and two hands on internal fold screen for usability.
Thanks again for all of the Feedback in several threads here, especially frcraig, very knowledgeable and helpful!
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I mean even if you change your mind, the Fold 4 will hold its value for a good while after its launch (since you get the 512gb version as a free upgrade) so you could always sell it in the coming months if you don't like it. That's my plan since I too don't like the narrow outer screen and would love the Vivo Fold.
Yes you have a point... actually ordered the 1T storage version. For now I will keep the pre-order, the s-pen and the software is great on the Samsung Z Fold 4, but narrow form factor for the front screen is the big negative, the big gap at the fold I guess I can live with and the obvious crease, uhg... I will have to see how the Samsung eco system is, as I can always return it in the first week if I change my mind, or later also sell it.
On a new note, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 is out and frcraig suggests that the VoLTE will be able to enable it unlike the Vivo line which can't. There is also a leak that a Vivo X Fold S update is coming out soon with the new Gen +1 chip and possibly a global rom, but it will still not have the VoLTE 4G for Canadian carriers. I really still like the solid quality hardware and form factor of the Vivo X Fold, but without the VoLTE 4G, definitely not going to work for me here with Canadian carriers.
So the newly released Xiaomi Mix fold 2 is my only other possible alternative now, which has that wide front screen form factor, has a thin sleek thickness, folds closed completely flat and appears to have less of a screen crease when open, but some of the trade-offs include lack of software refinement (big factor), mediocre camera, no wireless charging, multiple angled hinge mechanism (Samsung Flex mode) - all of which I could probably live with for the front wide screen form factor.... just not sure on the software yet.
You can also now consider the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2... If the SamEsung Fold 4 is not what you expected...
I mean... I was a little bit excited for the Fold 4 too and at the end... Same devise, same crease, same gap between the two parts when folded, Looks the same, Same narrow almost useless outer screen... Just a new CPU and new Cameras... The only plus the Fold 4 has over all other foldables is the Software! And that is a big one, unfortunately...
It is funny how things have changed... Once not many years ago, Samsung was making the best hardware and always innovating with it... One UI on the other hand was quite chunky and slow, with a lot of issues... And now...
Almost perfect software stack with great compatibility and worldwide recognition... but if you want great hardware look elsewhere...
OrionBG said:
You can also now consider the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2... If the SamEsung Fold 4 is not what you expected...
I mean... I was a little bit excited for the Fold 4 too and at the end... Same devise, same crease, same gap between the two parts when folded, Looks the same, Same narrow almost useless outer screen... Just a new CPU and new Cameras... The only plus the Fold 4 has over all other foldables is the Software! And that is a big one, unfortunately...
It is funny how things have changed... Once not many years ago, Samsung was making the best hardware and always innovating with it... One UI on the other hand was quite chunky and slow, with a lot of issues... And now...
Almost perfect software stack with great compatibility and worldwide recognition... but if you want great hardware look elsewhere...
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Yes, so true now, Samsung has the software refinement but not so much the hardware quality or innovation.
The narrow front screen form factor seems way too small and I am use to a 7" screen on my daily driver.
Agreed, after I get the Samsung Z Fold 4 to test out will have to make a decision then to send back right away and then the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 will be my second order and test... although with limited software reviews, I am concerned about the software on this one.
Q-Prof said:
Yes, so true now, Samsung has the software refinement but not so much the hardware quality or innovation.
The narrow front screen form factor seems way too small and I am use to a 7" screen on my daily driver.
Agreed, after I get the Samsung Z Fold 4 to test out will have to make a decision then to send back right away and then the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 will be my second order and test... although with limited software reviews, I am concerned about the software on this one.
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I would share similar concerns. But the funny thing is that I wonder if we could spoof the vivo x fold / others to receive exclusive software features from Samsung fold devices (I wouldn’t mind using the Samsung launcher with the two column google feed on the vivo x fold).
I can’t say if it is impossible or not as my vivo is running pixel exclusive features with root and pixelify. I wonder if the lead dev could provide some pointers on this …
domineus said:
I would share similar concerns. But the funny thing is that I wonder if we could spoof the vivo x fold / others to receive exclusive software features from Samsung fold devices (I wouldn’t mind using the Samsung launcher with the two column google feed on the vivo x fold).
I can’t say if it is impossible or not as my vivo is running pixel exclusive features with root and pixelify. I wonder if the lead dev could provide some pointers on this …
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Would be nice, but for me, sadly, no VoLTE, so I am not going near the Vivo X Fold now.
By all means though if someone has ideas on ways to improve the Vivo software, please share....
although from what I have heard, the June security update locked the software bootloader, and prevents downgrades, so no rooting the phone, hence no software tweaks now.