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essential apps that should of came with the phone?

Some of these DO come pre-installed depending on the manufacture of the phone. Samsung adds a flashlight. They also add an ES Explorer like app called "My Files". Google does not add these so the Manufacturers can add them if they want to plus it allows the end user to add which ever app they prefer from the play store and not have duplicate type apps.
 
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I think that the carrier should load the ROM up with all sorts of useful software that the user might need. HOWEVER, the preloaded software should be uninstallable, not just capable of being disabled, but uninstallable. That way a newbie user has tools that they can use and veteran users can remove what they don't/won't use and replace it with the exact package that they prefer.

That being said, I agree with the OP on ES File Manager. I also think that there should be a utility to manage notifications like Lightflow or similar. I also think that a Post-It Note type app should come with the phone. My favorite one of those is the one that is built into SPB Mobile 3D launcher. Too bad they don't update that launcher on a regular basis. But all of the above should come as user installed apps so that they can be removed if desired.

Any just my HO and a personal little rant
 
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I agree, with you on the uninstallable part. Frankly, if that were the case, I wouldn't care what bloat goes on, or how much of it. It's a pipe dream though.

It's only a pipe dream if you're stuck with a CDMA carrier, like Verizon or Sprint. If you're using a GSM carrier, it's a reality. I'm using a (carrier) bloat-free phone right now - a Moto X. I included (carrier) above because there are some who consider some (or all) of Motorola's add-ons like Active Display and Touchless Controls to be bloat.

A file manager included in a stock ROM might be handy, but I'd be surprised if any OEM included one as functional as ES File Explorer. Anything beyond stock Android would be considered bloat by some.
 
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Being bloat -free isn't endemic to GSM across the board. I'd wager AT&T is no better, GSM or not.

I didn't mean to imply that all (or even most) GSM phones are necessarily bloat-free. But CDMA phones must be approved for use on the carrier, and that approval invariably comes along with carrier bloatware. Carrier-branded GSM phones are no different, but there's a decent selection of GSM phones that are free of carrier bloat as well.
 
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I didn't mean to imply that all (or even most) GSM phones are necessarily bloat-free. But CDMA phones must be approved for use on the carrier, and that approval invariably comes along with carrier bloatware. Carrier-branded GSM phones are no different, but there's a decent selection of GSM phones that are free of carrier bloat as well.

i see your point ..

while GSM phones might be sold by manufacturer? not CDMA..
 
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while GSM phones might be sold by manufacturer? not CDMA..
Yes, you can buy an unlocked GSM handset and just stick your SIM in it. No need to buy it through the network or even tell them that you've changed handset.

Being bloat -free isn't endemic to GSM across the board. I'd wager AT&T is no better, GSM or not.

From what I've heard, nobody is as bad as Verizon ;)
 
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