Orange Barcelona review

We were initially excited when asked to set up email, since Orange’s email client has quick settings for numerous well-known email providers, including UK ISPs’ services. We expected our Gmail settings to be saved to the phone’s Accounts directory but instead, we received an email from Orange telling us that the email service was free for 14 days. After that we’d need to upgrade our data plan.

Android phones are built around Google services such as Gmail, which is free. It doesn’t stop with email: Orange’s app shop, Photo service and Messenger app won’t work over Wi-Fi, so you’re forced to eat into your data plan – or use Android’s free apps instead, which are vastly superior. The problem is that you can’t get rid of Orange’s apps, and with only 512MB of total ROM storage, app storage is limited.

It’s good to see more manufacturers getting into the smartphone market, but we just wished Huawei would sell its handsets direct. Orange’s software additions are more frustrating than beneficial and add insult to injury by charging extra for it, and spoiling what would otherwise be a decent budget handset. If you want a physical keyboard, we recommend the HTC ChaCha or Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro instead.