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by SifJar 4572 days ago
HTC and Sony both allow their devices bootloaders to be unlocked via simple procedures involving fastboot, a generic (& simple to use) Android tool supplied with the Android SDK (and AFAIK, open source). Both manufacture high quality, high end devices.

As for Samsung devices, there is Heimdall, an open source, cross platform alternative to Odin.

Of course, whether via official means for HTC & Sony, or unofficial for Samsung, unlocking the bootloader will void your warranty (just as on Nexus devices). It comes down to a question of whether or not AOSP is worth it to you.

Of course, there are also the "Google Play Editions" of phones like the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4 which come with what is essentially AOSP, giving a "Nexus-like" experience on a non-Nexus, high end phone (including officially unlockable bootloader, although that may be unnecessary if all you want is AOSP). The S4 has micro SD card support and a removable battery.
1 comments
techsupporter 4572 days ago
> unlocking the bootloader will void your warranty (just as on Nexus devices)

Unlocking the bootloader on Nexus devices doesn't void the warranty on the hardware; it just removes support for the software. I had a Samsung Galaxy Nexus with a failed USB port. When troubleshooting clearly revealed it to be a hardware problem, Samsung replaced my device even though it was running CyanogenMod and very obviously had the unlocked padlock on the boot screen.

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girvo 4572 days ago
I used to sell and repair phones, for a number of years. Honestly it's a case-by-case basis, sometimes you'll be fine and they'll fix it no issues (like your example, I've seen that plenty of times, and I'd expect the Nexus line to have that happen more often)... but sometimes the vendors will just refuse. That's why the unlock screen says "may void your warranty". So, it's not completely cut-and-dried, but you'll have a much better chance of it with the Nexus line, in my experience (and yours!).
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SifJar 4571 days ago
Yes, I should probably have been more clear on that; it's a "may void your warranty" in that if you've done it, they can refuse to honour the warranty, if they deem it appropriate, and there's technically nothing you can do about it.
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