Which phone/carrier gives the most pure android experience (least crapware)

[dl__]

I'm interested in getting an android based phone but so many carriers put their own layer on top of android: weird proprietary interfaces, apps that can't be deleted, possibly crippled features.

Which phone/carrier has the least modifications from a pure android experience?

 

[takeshi]

The Google Experience ones: Nexus One, Droid, etc.

 

[dl__]

The Google Experience ones: Nexus One, Droid, etc.

I think nexus one is no longer for sale. Droid is available from verizon but I think they put their own interface over android plus they have undeleteable apps (the NASCAR app for example). Isn't that true?

Is there a carrier that offers Droid with just straight android? I do like the Droid X though from what I've seen.

 

[nitsuj17]

I believe the n1 for tmobile is still available for developers (i think its $10 to become a registered developer) but its on backorder.

the droid1 is a stock android phone but its no longer available from verizon, but you can ebay one in good condition for under $200 and with its amazing rom community it ll run almost as good (or better) than a droid2

the upcoming g2 for tmobile looks to be a stock android phone, although i don't believe that has been confirmed yet and the just announched huwaei (spelling is wrong) phone that isn't confirmed for teh us yet is stock android

im sure im missing some

 

[Medion]

The Nexus One is straight Android with nothing added. As stated above, you can still get the developer handset, but they are back-ordered. Not sure, but they may be available for AT&T as well.

On Verizon, the original Motorola Droid offers the cleanest experience, despite the outdated hardware. Amazon and a few other places still offer them for free or near free on contract, while supplies last (no more being made.

You can also order a world phone, such as the Motorola Milestone, but they usually won't work on US 3G bands.

Or, you can get the phone with the best specs, root, and run a custom ROM. For example, the HTC Incredible offers both Cyanogen and Skyraider.

 

[bfriskey]

There are NO US non crapware crippled phones to be had NOT EVEN direct form the manufacturer(Samsung is who I tried) nor the carrier for list price. I have tried and can't find anything not crapped out..Good luck.If you find out differently PLEASE PM me..I 've been trying to buy a clean phone @ MSRP even BUT the greed outweighs logic...

 

[EarlyMon]

I think you want the Nexus S : The new Android phone from Google

 

[Guamguy]

Historically, there is one carrier that carried the most raw Androids. T-Mobile USA.

G1
MyTouch 3G
The Nexus One (first wave)
G2
T-Mobile Comet (aka Huawei Ideos)
Optimus T (only a themed experience)
Nexus S

Rumors has the LG Optimus 2X might be headed to T-Mo. Like the Optimus T, this one only delivers a decorated or themed Android experience. Not a true UI shell.

The next is Sprint

Samsung Moment
Samsung Intercept
LG Optimus S (the only Optimus that has raw unthemed Android)

Verizon has
Motorola Droid
LG Ally (only a themed experience)

Note, unlike Samsung which has "Touchwiz" on its Androids, LG doesn't have any of its featurephone shells like the S UI on its Androids.

 

[EarlyMon]

The Samsung Moment on Sprint includes some Sprint-selected bloatware - I think all of their phones do.

 

[bfriskey]

Still wading thru the 'paperwork' will keep you advised but it doesn't look good...yet
Google website requires a URL ..I have no website to use ?? Any ideas of how to get past this point..It's now a $25.00 fee but that;s OK if I get a clean phone , actually if I get one with Touch wiz I'm really happy
Never mind, I just created a google website ..seems to be acceptable for the purpose

UPDATE; After creating a Google DEV account and I CAN buy a clean DEV phone it doesn't help much as there doesn't seem to be be any verizon (cdma) dev phones anyway--wasted $25 !? FYI..Have about 1 year left on my verizon contract, never again I'll buy w/o a subsidy and use the provider of my choice buying and selling an eBay as needed

 

[gaetanlondon]

can a carrier layer be removed? and if yes, how?

 

[Hadron]

Yes, it can. How you do it depends on what handset you have. The best place to ask is probably your phone model's device forum.