So as I'm currently in China, I decided to pick up the China Mobile version of the HTC One. It's called the HTC 802t.
Anyways I wanted to do a side-by-side comparison with the regular version (since I own both).
As [some of] you may know, the China Mobile version has dual-SIM slots and expandable memory in the form of a microSD slot (well microSDXC).
With the regular one you can choose a fixed 32GB or 64GB capacity (both are available unlocked directly HTC). You also use a microSIM in the ejected tray form.
Now what I have found is apart from the expandable memory, the Chinese version isn't really that much better; in fact in ways I think it's worse. There are a few things HTC does tell you, but the rest I had to figure out myself.
1) There is no regular GSM 3G radio, so you're stuck with China Mobile's proprietary 3G (TDS-CDMA) and then 2G (EDGE) for your second SIM. I can use both slots simultaneously which is nice, but again I'm stuck with EDGE even when I roam.
2) HTC says due to the smaller radio required on the Chinese version they can accommodate a microSD slot, I think that's a lie. I have measured and the Chinese version is at least 1-2 mm thicker. That's not substantial, but that's the thickness of the microSD slot. So I think if HTC wanted they could have the made the regular one with expandable memory as well (along with the removable back cover and even dual SIM). As it's thicker, it's also a tad heavier. I think both the difference in thickness and weight is negligible that most people would never realize it, but when you own both it's more obvious.
3) The Chinese version back is removable and so is the area that surrounds the SIM slots, so theoretically the battery can be accessed. There are warranty stickers on the back covering one or two of the screws, so I don't want to check.
4) This is the most annoying part: There is no Google Play Store, and the phone can't be rooted (because no one wants to bother with a market specific phone like this), so I can't even flash it. I can't side-load the Play Store (tried already); seems there is OS level block against it. As there is no Play Store, you can't really download any apps like Google Maps, Skype, FaceBook, Dropbox etc (some of which are blocked anyways); it does have a HTC marketplace which is just horrendous. Fortunately I was able to download some of the free APK files to install Google Maps, Chrome, but anything that depends on a Google Account (like FaceBook, Twitter, Dropbox, Gmail, etc.) does not work because this OS does not have Google Accounts (yeah tell me about it!). For example, I used Nova Launcher Prime, but I can't get the Prime component of it which is only on the Play Store. Amazon Appstore can be installed, but for some reason a lot of apps are out-of-date.
5) Blinkfeed [which I don't use] is customized to work with China's services like RenRen, Weibo, etc. instead of FaceBook, Twitter, etc.
Anyways that's the main things I figured I'd compared; I'm open to any questions so feel free to ask here!
Anyways I wanted to do a side-by-side comparison with the regular version (since I own both).
As [some of] you may know, the China Mobile version has dual-SIM slots and expandable memory in the form of a microSD slot (well microSDXC).
With the regular one you can choose a fixed 32GB or 64GB capacity (both are available unlocked directly HTC). You also use a microSIM in the ejected tray form.
Now what I have found is apart from the expandable memory, the Chinese version isn't really that much better; in fact in ways I think it's worse. There are a few things HTC does tell you, but the rest I had to figure out myself.
1) There is no regular GSM 3G radio, so you're stuck with China Mobile's proprietary 3G (TDS-CDMA) and then 2G (EDGE) for your second SIM. I can use both slots simultaneously which is nice, but again I'm stuck with EDGE even when I roam.
2) HTC says due to the smaller radio required on the Chinese version they can accommodate a microSD slot, I think that's a lie. I have measured and the Chinese version is at least 1-2 mm thicker. That's not substantial, but that's the thickness of the microSD slot. So I think if HTC wanted they could have the made the regular one with expandable memory as well (along with the removable back cover and even dual SIM). As it's thicker, it's also a tad heavier. I think both the difference in thickness and weight is negligible that most people would never realize it, but when you own both it's more obvious.
3) The Chinese version back is removable and so is the area that surrounds the SIM slots, so theoretically the battery can be accessed. There are warranty stickers on the back covering one or two of the screws, so I don't want to check.
4) This is the most annoying part: There is no Google Play Store, and the phone can't be rooted (because no one wants to bother with a market specific phone like this), so I can't even flash it. I can't side-load the Play Store (tried already); seems there is OS level block against it. As there is no Play Store, you can't really download any apps like Google Maps, Skype, FaceBook, Dropbox etc (some of which are blocked anyways); it does have a HTC marketplace which is just horrendous. Fortunately I was able to download some of the free APK files to install Google Maps, Chrome, but anything that depends on a Google Account (like FaceBook, Twitter, Dropbox, Gmail, etc.) does not work because this OS does not have Google Accounts (yeah tell me about it!). For example, I used Nova Launcher Prime, but I can't get the Prime component of it which is only on the Play Store. Amazon Appstore can be installed, but for some reason a lot of apps are out-of-date.
5) Blinkfeed [which I don't use] is customized to work with China's services like RenRen, Weibo, etc. instead of FaceBook, Twitter, etc.
Anyways that's the main things I figured I'd compared; I'm open to any questions so feel free to ask here!
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