Orange San Francisco review

While we’re fans of Google’s Android operating system, we’re not so keen on the customisations Orange has made to the San Francisco’s software. The handset is loaded with Orange’s software, most of which either duplicates functions that Android provides, or it turns out not to be software at all, but merely a web link.

For example, there are icons for Games and Ringtones that turn out to be links to the relevant sections of Orange’s App Store, which has a much more limited selection than the full Android Market. There’s a Backup app for contacts, which you shouldn’t need as your contacts are held on Google’s servers; an Orange Maps app, which isn’t as good as Google’s own Maps, Navigation and Places combination; and a Photo app that’s put to shame by Android’s own Gallery.

Although you can switch to the Android launcher for the home screen, you can’t uninstall Orange’s largely redundant software. It’s not all bad: the Documents To Go app lets you view Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF documents, with the option to add editing for £9.60, and film buffs will like the Orange Wednesdays app. You also have access to the Android Market, so you can make the most of Android, but the included software still pales in comparison to the sophisticated social media service aggregation software installed on phones from HTC or Motorola.

At £99 on Pay As You Go, the San Francisco’s large, detailed screen still makes it great value. However, the LG Optimus GT540 may have been out for a while but it’s been upgraded to Android 2.1, has better pre-installed software and is available from O2 for just over £100 on prepay.