[Q] Development versus Nexus 5 - G2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I am on Sprint(and plan on staying with Sprint), and am finally upgrading from my OG Photon. I was planning on getting the G2, but the N5 on Sprint "would" have been the nail in the coffin for that idea. However, Sprint went and only subsidized the 16GB version, instead of offering the 32GB version. I don't know how I feel about that, so I have a few qestions on G2's development.
1. Firstly, is the G2's bootloader unlockable CURRENTLY? I saw yes, but I was reading on here a few days back and someone said the newer firmware is unrootable, and I'd assume the Sprint variant ships preupdated.
2. How is development for the G2, specifically CDMA variants? As in, "how fast will 4.4 be ported?" I understand people that say "it's only been out for days, have patience, etc.", but I own a Nexus tablet and am thinking about purchasing the N5, and I've been on Gingerbread for over 2 years with a locked bootloader on my current phone. So I understand the whole patience thing, but after being screwed by Motorola, I'm not even giving LG the opportunity to pull a fast one. If the G2 doesn't have damn near Nexus development, I'll take the 16GB hit for the N5.
3. As a follow-up to the last question, I saw the LG OG got KK, so I was wondering: because the G2 is "essentially" the N5, are the binaries and source still applicable as it kind of was with the OG/N4? As in, shouldn't development be pretty quick, quicker than a normal device?
4. How much support does LG give, it terms of factory images, etc? Again, I'm coming from a Nexus, how "safeproof" is it?
The reason I'm not immediately getting the N5 is because the 32GB G2 is $50 on contract at Best Buy, and the 16GB N5 is $150 on-contract from Sprint. As a broke university student, the unlocked N5 is not an option.
Finally, an apology. I'm sick and TOTALLY out of it, and all of this was probably completely incoherent. I'll edit this later, to make it more.....English-like. Sorry about that. Thanks in advance for any insight into this matter.

Related

How many verizon people are Jumping on the $400 dev edition deal

How many fellow verizon users, particularly galaxy nexus users are tempted to pick up the developer edition on Monday? I think I will bite. Hopefully once this sale happens development will start to pick up since it seems like a lot of people are going to bite this deal.
blackhand1001 said:
How many fellow verizon users, particularly galaxy nexus users are tempted to pick up the developer edition on Monday? I think I will bite. Hopefully once this sale happens development will start to pick up since it seems like a lot of people are going to bite this deal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Former Galaxy Nexus, current Moto X Dev Ed user checking in here. Can't recommend this phone enough. Best I've ever had, and first I've ever had that quelled my desire for CM. Get it.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
Trying out T mobile with a Nexus 5 now. I love the phone and the service works well enough. Still thinking about picking up the X though so I can stay with VZ. Corp discount, much wider coverage, and unlimited data is hard to leave. I've been traveling over the holiday and haven't gotten signal in some areas with TMO. Not used to having to worry about that. The only thing that concerns me about the X is the near total lack of development. It's running 4.4 now but it remains to be seen if that update pace will continue in the future.
I have a feeling more people will jump on the custom versions. Especially now that root is available for 4.4 and AOSP isn't worth giving up Moto X features.
Edit: I had the Dev edition and am thinking about the custom version myself.
Edit: Just saw this as well http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48033832#post48033832
Currently have a Dev edition and may be trying out a custom one. Thing that sucks is I can't decide what color combinations I want. I like the look of the Dev edition though so I'm not worried if I can't get in on this. Hopefully Moto added some extra server capacity...but in the end it doesn't really matter since demand always exceeds the preparation.
If I do get it, it will definitely be the dev edition. I wish it was black but I plan on putting a case on it anyway so the front is really the only part that matters.
chaoslimits said:
I have a feeling more people will jump on the custom versions. Especially now that root is available for 4.4 and AOSP isn't worth giving up Moto X features.
Edit: I had the Dev edition and am thinking about the custom version myself.
Edit: Just saw this as well http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48033832#post48033832
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just like the fact that with an unlocked bootloader I never have to worry about a future update killing root, etc.
theres about 5 of us among my friends who all rocked the vzw gnex.
i sold mine for a nokia 928 over the summer and then went moto x a few weeks ago. never looked back.
one switched to tmobile for a nexus 5..but now is tempted to get a tmobile moto x and randomlly sim swap cause of the deal.
and i think i convinced the remaining 3 to all go for the deal tomorrow to replace their gnex's haha
I debated swapping my 16gb for a 32gb dev edition...but i'm okay with running stock on this beauty.
blackhand1001 said:
I just like the fact that with an unlocked bootloader I never have to worry about a future update killing root, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too but I really haven't seen a need for root that I couldn't live without. My Dev Ed remained without root for 3 weeks and I only rooted it out of curiosity after they changed the warranty.
How does the moto X compare with the Nexus 5?
Wait, so is the VZW version of moto X rootable? What's the deal with the big bounty?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2493862&page=8
I really want to get a customized one but not if I'm going to have a horrible rooted experience.
I would jump if I hadn't already. Great phone.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
nvertigo said:
Wait, so is the VZW version of moto X rootable? What's the deal with the big bounty?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2493862&page=8
I really want to get a customized one but not if I'm going to have a horrible rooted experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's for the bootloader locked version. I believe 'fastboot oem unlock' will unlock the dev edition, just like the gnex.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
mwalt2 said:
That's for the bootloader locked version. I believe 'fastboot oem unlock' will unlock the dev edition, just like the gnex.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost. You need to retrieve the unlock code from Motorola first. Then it's fastboot oem unlock codegoeshere
nvertigo said:
Wait, so is the VZW version of moto X rootable? What's the deal with the big bounty?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2493862&page=8
I really want to get a customized one but not if I'm going to have a horrible rooted experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It is root able for 4.2.2 & 4.4
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
I'm coming from an S3, picking up the Moto X today with the sale. I'm torn between the DE and a custom. Right now I'm leaning towards custom because of all the great reviews of Moto's edits. BUT, I am worried about the longevity of the device lacking an unlocked bootloader.
Any advice?
I just picked up a vzw developer while it was in stock. I am having buyers remorse though as I have an HTC One currently. I need to be able to sell my One to make up for the cost of the Dev X or it will have to go back.
JWorth said:
I'm coming from an S3, picking up the Moto X today with the sale. I'm torn between the DE and a custom. Right now I'm leaning towards custom because of all the great reviews of Moto's edits. BUT, I am worried about the longevity of the device lacking an unlocked bootloader.
Any advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also having worries about this device (except that it looks awesome). I'm just not seeing much activity for this device compared to others. I'm wondering if I should just wait another month or two and get the LG G2 for free when my contract is up instead of buying this? Oy.
I jumped on the deal. Of course, "jumped" in this context means I spent eight hours bashing my head against Motorola's broken website before I was finally able to place an order, and by the looks of their Twitter feed I was one of the lucky ones. They left a lot of people out in the cold today, with the website issues combined with limited inventory....
Been looking for a replacement for my Galaxy Nexus almost since day one. I love the ease of flashing that puppy but almost everything else about it stinks. Crappy battery life, particularly on LTE, but the real kicker was the never ending reception problems. Others have documented these issues, and I've been through three replacement phones (at least Verizon tried!) without success. It's fine for me when I'm stationary, most of the issues seem to be with handoffs while mobile. I've dropped calls with the GNex in parts of VZW's network where I haven't seen dropped calls since the Bell Atlantic days....
$400 for the unlocked DE is an awesome deal, I think, particularly for users with grandfathered unlimited data who want a flagship phone. On that same note, I'm told it works flawlessly with T-Mobile, so if Verizon pulls UL data I know what 'Plan B' is.....
RyanTX said:
I just picked up a vzw developer while it was in stock. I am having buyers remorse though as I have an HTC One currently. I need to be able to sell my One to make up for the cost of the Dev X or it will have to go back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you are aware that the return policy says it takes 4-6 weeks to get a refund from they date they receive the phone back.

Motorola delays Moto X Cyber Monday deal after site crash

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57...ys-moto-x-cyber-monday-deal-after-site-crash/
"Starting at 12 pm EST/9 am PST this Wednesday, we will relaunch the $349 promotion."
Good news!
So this gives me a bit to consider between:
1) Getting a Moto X DE on Wednesday
2) Ordering a Nexus 5
3) Sticking with my HTC One XL until July -> contract renewal time
Wondering if some Moto X owners can weigh in. The thing that is attracting me to this phone the most is the battery life. My HOX battery (I feel) is going bad. Many symptoms which point to this, listing them all would probably be too OT. Bottom line is that with no "misbehaving apps" or anything - I'm seeing maybe 2 hours of screen time before my phone dies, on a good day. So trying to figure out if I want to put up with this until July and see what's available then or jumping on this deal.
I see there isn't much development going on for this device compared to the Nexus 5. But honestly most of my flashing ROMs/kernels have been vain attempts to improve battery life on my previous and current phone. Is there a point to flashing custom ROMs to this phone? From what I've read the greater majority of people actually prefer the stock Motorola ROM with their custom apps over CM, AOSP, etc. Going back to the Nexus 5, which is suppose to always get the latest and greatest from Google, the Moto X is already on 4.4 as well, any thoughts as to if this trend will continue from Motorola?
I've also read of some issues with the camera - can anyone weigh in here on the camera quality? While I'm not one of those people who snap a million photos a day - I still like to have something reliable in my pocket to take a good photo when the situation arises.
I hope this isn't too rambling and terribly OT. I would appreciate any input.
Two cents: I'm fairly certain that the promotion on Wednesday is only for Motomaker devices, and not Dev Editions. Those sold out already, I believe.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
They've stated on their twitter account that the dev editions have sold out and will not be available on the subsequent days of the deal. You could order a t-mobile variant which is the same as the developer edition with the exception of voiding the warranty when unlocking the boot loader.
I managed to get a developer edition in the second batch yesterday, but I'm still debating on canceling and trying for a customized t-mobile variant. I currently have an AT&T version that I'm going to sell, but the Moto X is easily the best android phone I've used. The combination of size, battery life and additional features is just hard to beat. My previous two phones where the HTC One and SIII and I would personally take the Moto over either of them and the S4.
xd1936 said:
Two cents: I'm fairly certain that the promotion on Wednesday is only for Motomaker devices, and not Dev Editions. Those sold out already, I believe.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bugsy said:
They've stated on their twitter account that the dev editions have sold out and will not be available on the subsequent days of the deal. You could order a t-mobile variant which is the same as the developer edition with the exception of voiding the warranty when unlocking the boot loader.
I managed to get a developer edition in the second batch yesterday, but I'm still debating on canceling and trying for a customized t-mobile variant. I currently have an AT&T version that I'm going to sell, but the Moto X is easily the best android phone I've used. The combination of size, battery life and additional features is just hard to beat. My previous two phones where the HTC One and SIII and I would personally take the Moto over either of them and the S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bummer. Thanks for the heads up re: DE. If I buy the Motomaker version - I can still root, but not unlock bootloader, is that correct? Honestly from what I've been reading - rooting will probably be sufficient.
sm753 said:
Bummer. Thanks for the heads up re: DE. If I buy the Motomaker version - I can still root, but not unlock bootloader, is that correct? Honestly from what I've been reading - rooting will probably be sufficient.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy the t-mobile version you can still unlock the boot loader, they just state that it will void the warranty. I don't find myself needing to do much to the Moto X, I just don't like being at the mercy of AT&T and their notoriously slow updates and bloatware which is why I'm switching. The t-mobile and gsm dev edition are the same device internally.
The sale yesterday was the biggest cluster eff I've ever seen for a phone. I had a dev edition in my cart multiple times yesterday and was never able to check out. All were sold out but today mysteriously some gsm phones in stock for normal price. No luck on them honoring the price. Total b.s.. I said I would never own a Moto phone after the defy abd cliq and was almost there...but I can honestly say after the bs yesterday with the site crashing at nearly the start Motorola needs to step up for the developers. I am at a loss as to why if the t mobile version is almost the same why they wouldn't sell a few more dev phones on Wed and Mon.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 06:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:30 AM ----------
bugsy said:
If you buy the t-mobile version you can still unlock the boot loader, they just state that it will void the warranty. I don't find myself needing to do much to the Moto X, I just don't like being at the mercy of AT&T and their notoriously slow updates and bloatware which is why I'm switching. The t-mobile and gsm dev edition are the same device internally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They may be the same but you're unable to load the dev image on the tmobile device. That and warranty are the deal breaker.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

Returning G4 (810)

The LG G4 is one of the best phones I have owned. I truly appreciate it, however it has some nagging issues with carrier restrictions and as much as I hate to do it, my AT&T 810 G4 is going back. I am not happy about it, and may pick up an international (815) one soon, but I decided this one was going back.
Why Send it back?
No Root, No Bootloader Unlock
AT&T Bloatware
AT&T Disabled FM Radio
AT&T OTA pushes
Leather back felt cheap, and I could not find a good case to fit it
Nexus 5 2015
This is a great phone, and I have nothing against functionality or performance.
Whats Next?
Returning to my trusty HTC One M7 (For Now)
See what happens with the Nexus 5 2015
Might pickup an LG G4 815 International
Wait and see where developers go with unlocking the G4
WLMiller54 said:
The LG G4 is one of the best phones I have owned. I truly appreciate it, however it has some nagging issues with carrier restrictions and as much as I hate to do it, my AT&T 810 G4 is going back. I am not happy about it, and may pick up an international (815) one soon, but I decided this one was going back.
Why Send it back?
No Root, No Bootloader Unlock
AT&T Bloatware
AT&T Disabled FM Radio
AT&T OTA pushes
Leather back felt cheap, and I could not find a good case to fit it
Nexus 5 2015
This is a great phone, and I have nothing against functionality or performance.
Whats Next?
Returning to my trusty HTC One M7 (For Now)
See what happens with the Nexus 5 2015
Might pickup an LG G4 815 International
Wait and see where developers go with unlocking the G4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root and unlock will happen, the leather back I have feels high class (t-mo brown) you can freeze bloat with de-bloater tool (all mine is) I dont use the radio (too many apps to use it, plus some of them have local radio) ota-cant help that... I'll most likely get the Nexus 5 as. Well....while keeping this phone.....you did admit its a great phone!
OP has all fair points. Not mad.. but sorry to see you go.
Laters.
WLMiller54 said:
Why Send it back?
No Root, No Bootloader Unlock
AT&T Bloatware
AT&T Disabled FM Radio
AT&T OTA pushes
Leather back felt cheap, and I could not find a good case to fit it
Nexus 5 2015
This is a great phone, and I have nothing against functionality or performance.
[/LIST]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like you need to buy a phone full price, no carrier BS.
Sorry to see you go, but I completely understand. I have seen things in this forum that US carriers do to that phone and I have no idea WTF they are thinking.
As for root, I have faith.:good:
Sadly, mine's going back as well. As much as I like the phone, there are currently too many things that annoy me. I'm with Verizon, so the missing apps started me out on the wrong foot. Then throw in LG and/or Verizon not honoring the $100 GB of Google Drive storage as promised, and the touchscreen issues. Finally, I got a notice from Verizon and my bill went up $23 instead of dropping a couple bucks which two Best Buy reps assured me it would. I spoke to a Best Buy manager, and they agreed to return the phone a month after I purchased it (as well as cancel the Edge plan).
All in all, it's a great phone but it's not significantly better than my trusty G3 (slightly better CPU, camera, battery etc...) enough to offset the additional expense. I have a bunch of accessories for the G4 that I'm holding onto, so I'll probably pick one up further down the road. I'd opt for the international version for obvious reasons. I assume that the unlocked version will work fine on a CDMA network with the proper set-up.
UPDATE: Nope... I guess I'm keeping it. After two Verizon reps assured me that I could cancel my Edge agreement, when the time came to do so the rep I got said in no uncertain terms that it wasn't going to happen. So even though Best Buy admitted that they screwed up and offered to return the phone AND twice Verizon said otherwise, I'm now told that I would have to buy out the remainder of the contract. I can't complain too much, since I got the $100 Best Buy gift card and Verizon kicked in a $145 bill credit for the mistake.
Unlocked International won't be a good idea..... As long as Verizon doesn't transition to full LTE and still uses CDMA till 2017, this won't work as voice won't go over GSM...
Actually holding back from the G4 because of those as well. Let's see what this year's Nexus have to offer and probably the OnePlus Two as well.
I did the same. Unless there is a viable unlock + root option no LG G4 for me!
SCPadgeebar said:
Actually holding back from the G4 because of those as well. Let's see what this year's Nexus have to offer and probably the OnePlus Two as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, I am watching Nexus 5 2015 and the OnePlus Two as well .... If I can get a OP2 invite.
fpsq said:
I did the same. Unless there is a viable unlock + root option no LG G4 for me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I am waiting to. I may head back to LG4 if there is an unlock and root option.
I can certainly respect your decision, even if I would not do the same thing. Sorry that you did not get as much out of your G4 as you were expecting that you would, I just hope you can find a phone that fits your needs and you can have more fun with.
BTW - That Nexus 5 2015 does sound pretty promising, if you pick one up be sure to let me know how it is.
im in the same boat, Att H810 have the least number of bands out of all G4 variants, so I can't get data even when I unlock the phone to use in Asia.
But I am already past my 14 days period so fml.
ED2O9 said:
UPDATE: Nope... I guess I'm keeping it. After two Verizon reps assured me that I could cancel my Edge agreement, when the time came to do so the rep I got said in no uncertain terms that it wasn't going to happen. So even though Best Buy admitted that they screwed up and offered to return the phone AND twice Verizon said otherwise, I'm now told that I would have to buy out the remainder of the contract. I can't complain too much, since I got the $100 Best Buy gift card and Verizon kicked in a $145 bill credit for the mistake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call recorder. This is a must have app for everyone who interacts with any business at all. They're always going to record your call for 'quality assurance', which automatically gives you the right to record it as well (at least in California) without informing them. Always good for CYA situations like this.

Next Phone for us on the 2 year upgrade cycle

Well, it's coming up on that time to think about our next phone. It seems that Samsung and Verizon is hell bent to keep us from flashing our phones. I've been looking around here and it seems that most of the developers have gone to Nexus and LG devices. From what I've seen so far I might go to the LG G4+ I recently heard rumor about.
What phones do you think is going to be popular among developers?
For sure, it isn't going to be the note 5, we all know why. The note 4 will still be with developers I'm guessing. The lg g4+ (lg g4 pro) is probably being announced at Berlin IFA and will be supported, look at the lg g4 devs.
The new nexus device will obviously be a powerhouse for a lot of people looking for an unlocked bootloader and stock vanilla android .
Anyways more devices might have support like the moto x series and sony's Xperia lines are good devices too compared to Samsung's insane pricing on their devices.
Definitely the new Nexus devices will be on the top of that list. I'm also looking @, for my use come Feb '16, a GSM G4 as well as the M9.
I'm interested in seeing what others have to say. This is what I want - removable battery, SD card slot, IR blaster, easy root and unlocked bootloader.
This is what I need - all of the above (or, if not a replaceable battery, then a battery case that allows on the fly recharging...)
I'm looking forward to Christmas and seeing what comes of it - that's the season (well, just prior to it) for all the new goodies...
What are others looking @?
I know I'm done with Samsung (iron fisted, whore mongers... No offense!) - they and Verizon have made it apparent who they believe owns my phone. Top it off with the lobotomized phones they now offer and they've gone from "smart" phone to "not-so-smart" phone...
I'm happy with my Note3 on Jasmine, but I don't see it getting an upgrade to Marshmallow. The note 5 is out of the question, I'd like a Note4(but the Verizon retail version doesn't appear to be rootable). I've got time, the Nexus on the Verizon site seems to be a bit light in the hardware side, the LG looks nice. Of course, there's always leaving Verizon, if I can convince the wife.
I just made the jump to TMO. I was afraid they'd not have the network I need here in Georgia, but they're comparable thus far to Big Red, with a greatly reduced cost structure and a heap more data for the $$$.
I was able to set my Note 3 (CDMA) up to work on TMO's GSM network and have awesome data speeds. It's a game changer - if I don't like them, I can move to AT&T and, when the time comes, root whatever I buy outright without the runaround that Verizon offers.
I thought about the Note 4 on TMO - it's an easy root but it's just not that much of an upgrade over the 3 and certainly not a $500+ upgrade. So, I'll stay put with the N3 and move to something else when this old daily driver don't drive no more... (That'll likely be Android "Zebra cake....")

What would you do?

So I had issues with my S4 and it was still under warranty. Sent it in to Square Trade. The phones they sent back to me I had issues with as well. Square trade offered me to send in my phone and they will send me a check for 449.99. for my phone.
I'm debating on taking this offer.
My upgrade is Oct 30. I have a back up phone it's the S2.
Should I take the Money?
Another - Any suggestions on a new phone?
Thanks!
I'd definitely take the check. A brand new Galaxy S4 now can be bought for around $220 so $449.99 is more than you will ever get if you tried to sell it.
As for the new phone suggestions, it depends on what you want in a phone. You can get Galaxy S5 for $300 or LG G4 for $454 or Moto X Pure for $399.99
So basically, you can have newer phone for under $450 or just little more.
xymic said:
I'd definitely take the check. A brand new Galaxy S4 now can be bought for around $220 so $449.99 is more than you will ever get if you tried to sell it.
As for the new phone suggestions, it depends on what you want in a phone. You can get Galaxy S5 for $300 or LG G4 for $454 or Moto X Pure for $399.99
So basically, you can have newer phone for under $450 or just little more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are they rootable phones? I like to keep root if I can. Thank you for responding too!
ms.journie said:
Are they rootable phones? I like to keep root if I can. Thank you for responding too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're all rootable, but if you like flashing AOSP ROMs and want phone with more development, avoid the Galaxy S5 I linked to. It's AT&T version and they lock their phones pretty heavily, especially Samsung phones. Even developers here still can't unlock bootloader on our S4 and the phone came out 2 years ago!
Moto X Pure is best choice if you enjoy changing up ROMs since Motorola supports development scene. LG G4 is fairly new so there's not much development yet(root is available, though), but seeing LG G3, I'm sure it won't stay that way for long.
Since your upgrade is in October, wait for Google's announcement for their new Nexus phones on September 29. It might be something you like.
xymic said:
They're all rootable, but if you like flashing AOSP ROMs and want phone with more development, avoid the Galaxy S5 I linked to. It's AT&T version and they lock their phones pretty heavily, especially Samsung phones. Even developers here still can't unlock bootloader on our S4 and the phone came out 2 years ago!
Moto X Pure is best choice if you enjoy changing up ROMs since Motorola supports development scene. LG G4 is fairly new so there's not much development yet(root is available, though), but seeing LG G3, I'm sure it won't stay that way for long.
Since your upgrade is in October, wait for Google's announcement for their new Nexus phones on September 29. It might be something you like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this information!
I was on a rom before I sent my phone in. All I'm really wanting with my phone is to be rooted and have Xposed on.
The 29th is right around the corner and I can wait to see what they have going on!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Free mobile app

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