Amazon Fire phone 64GB

bluedoor27

The 64gb amazon fire phone in on offer at the moment for £99. It's the 64gb version. There is an option of phone only but it still says connected to O2 when you view it in your basket. It's only available to uk customers but I will use parcel motel to get around this. Is there a way of unlocking the phone if I purchased it??

Kenny Logins

http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/help/unlock-codes-fire-phone-t3146744

?

bluedoor27

So am I right in thinking that if I send an email to amazon they will send me the unlocking code??

Kenny Logins

Looks like it, yeah. Not sure if intended UK customers only (as is the phone).

bluedoor27

Does anyone know if it's a good phone??

Curb Your Enthusiasm

bluedoor27 wrote: »

Does anyone know if it's a good phone??

The OS is shocking. Completely locked down. Like Apple but worse.

bluedoor27

So very restrictive... !! Thanks that's good to know.

Kenny Logins

bluedoor27 wrote: »

Does anyone know if it's a good phone??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx1J3S6vUJ8

davidom2513

Can only see the 32gb model for that price

Very powerful phone for the price.

If I can get the Play store installed, and its stable, then its a bargain

groom

I've got 2 Fire TV devices and they're great despite being locked down but I would not be keen on that level of restriction for a phone though. Can't think of any reasons right now why I need root but I'm sure alot of the apps I use need root.

But at the same time maybe for £99 it might be tolerable. I'd say the hardware is fine.

moodrater

groom wrote: »

I've got 2 Fire TV devices and they're great despite being locked down but I would not be keen on that level of restriction for a phone though. Can't think of any reasons right now why I need root but I'm sure alot of the apps I use need root.

But at the same time maybe for £99 it might be tolerable. I'd say the hardware is fine.

No play store and sideloaded apps don't show up in launcher. A lot of the apps in amazon app store are years out of date a lot of apps unavailable.

You used to be able to sideload and use play previously but that broke for many in May currently other launchers work but who know when they might break. It's like buying a pig in a poke.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

groom wrote: »

I've got 2 Fire TV devices and they're great despite being locked down but I would not be keen on that level of restriction for a phone though. Can't think of any reasons right now why I need root but I'm sure alot of the apps I use need root.

But at the same time maybe for £99 it might be tolerable. I'd say the hardware is fine.

Nah, I'll pass. :rolleyes:

davidom2513

moodrater wrote: »

No play store and sideloaded apps don't show up in launcher. A lot of the apps in amazon app store are years out of date a lot of apps unavailable.

You used to be able to sideload and use play previously but that broke for many in May currently other launchers work but who know when they might break. It's like buying a pig in a poke.

Apparently Fire OS 4.6.1 update fixed the play store issues for most people.

Yeah it sounds like too much of a gamble though, I think I'll pass on it

Zimmerframe

I have one, but I seem to be having issues with Vodafone 4G data.
Have the phone set to "LTE/3G/2G preferred" and it worked perfectly with the H/H+ symbols displayed as I was in an area that has only Vodafone 3G reception.

Got home this evening and I should have full 5 bar 4G reception and my Vodafone modem confirms that I indeed do.

However this phone only connects to 2G with no data.
If I change to "3G/2G preferred, then it works fine on 3G.
Switch back to "LTE/3G/2G preferred" and it again reverts to 2G.

If I switch phone on/off or toggle aeroplane mode, I get the "4G" symbol for about 2 seconds, thats it, no more.

UPDATE: Tried every permutation of every setting to no avail, then did a "factory reset" and all works fine again. ??

Shib

If that happens again, do Aeroplane mode on -> hold power for 40 secs -> AM off. That might save you the Factory Reset.

Zimmerframe

Shib wrote: »

If that happens again, do Aeroplane mode on -> hold power for 40 secs -> AM off. That might save you the Factory Reset.

Thanks for the tip, hopefully there won't be a next time.
I originally set up the phone with a UK O2 sim, and when I changed to the Irish Vodafone sim, it seemed baffled with the 4G business. Anyway all fine since.

Exce11ent

Zimmerframe wrote: »

Thanks for the tip, hopefully there won't be a next time.
I originally set up the phone with a UK O2 sim, and when I changed to the Irish Vodafone sim, it seemed baffled with the 4G business. Anyway all fine since.

Hi Zimmer, did you get it unlocked from O2 UK in order to use a Vodafone sim? If so, how? Thanks

Zimmerframe

Exce11ent wrote: »

Hi Zimmer, did you get it unlocked from O2 UK in order to use a Vodafone sim? If so, how? Thanks

Yep, took 30 seconds, on Amazon chat line, I asked for unlock code. The dude at the other end just typed the code on the screen.

NATLOR

Zimmerframe wrote: »

Thanks for the tip, hopefully there won't be a next time.
I originally set up the phone with a UK O2 sim, and when I changed to the Irish Vodafone sim, it seemed baffled with the 4G business. Anyway all fine since.

How do you rate the phone overall?
been reading a lot of negative reviews,would be interested to hear from someone who is using it regularly

Zimmerframe

NATLOR wrote: »

How do you rate the phone overall?
been reading a lot of negative reviews,would be interested to hear from someone who is using it regularly

I'm probably not the best one to ask, because I'm not really using it regularly as it's my spare phone and I only have it a couple of days.

The screen is good, it's very fast to use, the camera is good and it makes a nice 4G modem for tethering, the build quality seems top notch so far as I'm concerned for £99, all is good.
The issue that many may have is Amazon app store Vs the Play store, but that's no hassle for me.

Exce11ent

Zimmerframe wrote: »

Yep, took 30 seconds, on Amazon chat line, I asked for unlock code. The dude at the other end just typed the code on the screen.

Nice one, what is the chat line, is there a phone number?

Zimmerframe

Exce11ent wrote: »

Nice one, what is the chat line, is there a phone number?

No online chat.
I think it's under help or contact us, but there is an option for chat to rep.
I just typed in 'want to unlock phone", he/she asked for serial number (not imei) and then he/she typed unlock code on screen.

NATLOR

Zimmerframe wrote: »

I'm probably not the best one to ask, because I'm not really using it regularly as it's my spare phone and I only have it a couple of days.

The screen is good, it's very fast to use, the camera is good and it makes a nice 4G modem for tethering, the build quality seems top notch so far as I'm concerned for £99, all is good.
The issue that many may have is Amazon app store Vs the Play store, but that's no hassle for me.

Thanks for that,seems to be easy enough to get the play store sideloaded so pretty tempted at that price