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I have been a long time android user and have changed a dozen smart phones from HTC to Samsung to Lg, etc(not a fanboy of any) in the past few years.. While impressive, each phone had one major short coming( HTC one's camera, s4s build quality etc)..
I decided to give Sony a try with the z2 a week ago, and have been thoroughly impressed by this phone. Everything on the z2 is top notch(screen, camera, battery life, build, speakers, water proof, SD card support, lag free ui)...
I can't understand why z2 is not a popular device in the market? Everyone I know uses s5 or m8 or iphone.. Is it due to the lack of marketing by Sony?
It kinda is lack of marketing although the z2 was sponsored by the world cup so it should be widely known.
But your right everywhere I go for some reason I'd be the only one with a sony z2. Soo many people will have never heard of this thing it's strange.
However I really don't mind this because this means we have a unique phone. We know its a damn good phone and we keep it that way. it's others that will be missing out on something special.
Hopefully your screen doesn't crack on its own like 100 of others.
I have my Z2 for one month and half now, and i used to change like every month my phone... I can't tell you that i'm fully satisfied with this phone ! It has everything i request from a smartphone.
The only one thing i'm missing is a bigger screen.. Coming from Note 3 (5.7"), Sony Xperia Z Ultra (6.4"), Huawei Mediapad X1 (7")... It's quite hard for me sometimes to enjoy at the screen easily...
So i was really disappointed when Sony shown his Z3 series instead of a new Z Ultra with the same quality from the Z2
Let's hope devs will succeed to port some news stuff from Z3 to our Z2 !
Im also womdering of the whereabouts of Z2 even Sony old flagships. Even on reviews they barely mention or compare sony.
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As for me it is great phone with vastly improved in software and hardware but not yet perfect. It can be considered as smartphone of the year.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
EnIXmA said:
Is it due to the lack of marketing by Sony?
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Click to collapse
That, and the sheeple principle in action.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
The Z2 is the closest thing to a "perfect" phone I've come across so far. However, the simple fact of the matter is, it's just too big. That is its one major flaw.
Fortunately, the Z3 Compact looks like the perfect phone (for me, at least). Looking forward to selling my Z2 and picking up the Z3 Compact, as it will combine all the great features of the Z2 with the smaller size I'm looking for.
I do wish the Z3 Compact had 3 gigs of RAM like the Z2/Z3, but I guess I can live without that extra RAM.
i
EnIXmA said:
I have been a long time android user and have changed a dozen smart phones from HTC to Samsung to Lg, etc(not a fanboy of any) in the past few years.. While impressive, each phone had one major short coming( HTC one's camera, s4s build quality etc)..
I decided to give Sony a try with the z2 a week ago, and have been thoroughly impressed by this phone. Everything on the z2 is top notch(screen, camera, battery life, build, speakers, water proof, SD card support, lag free ui)...
I can't understand why z2 is not a popular device in the market? Everyone I know uses s5 or m8 or iphone.. Is it due to the lack of marketing by Sony?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony problem is less advertising than for example Samsung. (I respect htc but i don't like it cause they try to be iphone of android world! in my opinion)
+ huge ignorance of users...!
i m talking about what people thought about Xperia Z display quality and after that Z1
there were lots of rumor (for me non of them true!) that people always asking about them here in xda and other forums
for example
(with my old account on xda) i made a thread about Sudden Death of Xperia Z. After few weeks Sony solved that problem with firmware update. But after ~2yrs people check that forum and post something !!!
I mean they read rumors and believe but never try to read more technical.
for Galaxy S4 i remember that show with music, dancing and ..... from Samsung !!! (i did hate that!)
But Sony made a conference introduced Xperia Z and its features + technical info >> The End!
so eyes of normal users won't turn to Sony from Samsung
:good:
The purple z2 is the most beautiful thing ever, this phone has it all, I haven't found any flaws yet.
Its just perfection
Sent from my Xperia Z2
Yeah, it's a good phone, but a sold it month ago and bought OnePlus One. I don't like lack of development for Z2 And being flas-a-holic, I always need new ROMs to try ) And here nothing new in weeks.... Development for OnePlus One is waaaaay better, just like on Nexus devices.
But camera on Z2 is superb. With this camera I was able to get such a good photos that many people commented like "Wow! It was shot on a professional camera or edited heavily in Photoshop?"
Ozonep said:
Yeah, it's a good phone, but a sold it month ago and bought OnePlus One. I don't like lack of development for Z2 And being flas-a-holic, I always need new ROMs to try ) And here nothing new in weeks.... Development for OnePlus One is waaaaay better, just like on Nexus devices.
But camera on Z2 is superb. With this camera I was able to get such a good photos that many people commented like "Wow! It was shot on a professional camera or edited heavily in Photoshop?"
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Click to collapse
How's the battery life on the Oneplus one?
Jiyeon90 said:
How's the battery life on the Oneplus one?
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Click to collapse
Well... I would say 1,5 days. I wake up at 6 AM, and when I go to sleep (around 11 PM), battery is at 40-50%. That's around 2,5 hours screen on time...
It's surely worse than Xperia Z2 in terms of battery, but for me this is 100% enough. And what's even better - Cyanogen team always developing new ways to improve battery life on OPO by optimizing settings.
i used to switch phones every 2-3 mths .. from iphone to nokia, to android, blah blah blah, you get the idea.
But this android phone is the only phone which i don really have anything to complain about. (other than the magnetic port that came out after 2 weeks of use. but its rock solid now after coming out of sony service centre)
yeah, i flash alot when i was on HTC or samsung. but i just did a root on z2 and i am 100% satisfied! i don't see a need to flash custom when everything is working so fine. love the build, the camera and esp the battery life on this baby!
ruffruff said:
i used to switch phones every 2-3 mths .. from iphone to nokia, to android, blah blah blah, you get the idea.
But this android phone is the only phone which i don really have anything to complain about. (other than the magnetic port that came out after 2 weeks of use. but its rock solid now after coming out of sony service centre)
yeah, i flash alot when i was on HTC or samsung. but i just did a root on z2 and i am 100% satisfied! i don't see a need to flash custom when everything is working so fine. love the build, the camera and esp the battery life on this baby!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here! after rooting the Z2 I don't see the need to flash custom roms when everything's running so smoothly, only mods I've flashed through recovery are the olokos Z2 soundmod and Viper4Android, those two alone made this phone into a musical beast and occasionally I change the system's font using the iFont app
EnIXmA said:
I have been a long time android user and have changed a dozen smart phones from HTC to Samsung to Lg, etc(not a fanboy of any) in the past few years.. While impressive, each phone had one major short coming( HTC one's camera, s4s build quality etc)..
I decided to give Sony a try with the z2 a week ago, and have been thoroughly impressed by this phone. Everything on the z2 is top notch(screen, camera, battery life, build, speakers, water proof, SD card support, lag free ui)...
I can't understand why z2 is not a popular device in the market? Everyone I know uses s5 or m8 or iphone.. Is it due to the lack of marketing by Sony?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 !
I'm thinking exactly the same as you ! I only wish they could do a Xperia Z Ultra 2 with all the specs from the Z2/Z3... That would be so great ! The only one thing i miss is a bigger screen... 5,7" or 6" would be great !
gregou said:
+1 !
I'm thinking exactly the same as you ! I only wish they could do a Xperia Z Ultra 2 with all the specs from the Z2/Z3... That would be so great ! The only one thing i miss is a bigger screen... 5,7" or 6" would be great !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, but qhd is better and a big battery capacity let say 4500 mah and a Wacom stylus if they want to compete note 4 series.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
I am planning to buy a new unlocked phone within 10 days. I have the following options:
Xperia Z2($500)
Xperia Z3 Compact ($600)
Galaxy Alpha ($500)
iPhone 5S ($550)
I had made up my mind for the Xperia Z2. It is the most balanced phone providing adequate power, battery life, decent camera, storage, etc. but recently I came to know about the over heating & self cracking screen issues with the Z2( or the entire Z series including the Z3 & Z3 compact). There are quite a lot of reports of the glass on the phone cracking. Also that the phone overheats a lot. I am worried as whatever I buy, I'll have to stick with it for 2 years. Sony has refused warranty in most cases related to this issue. Same issue plagues the Z3 Compact
I recently had a look at the Samsung Galaxy Alpha. It's a good looking and decent device and offers all that I want. The primary drawback is the battery life of the phone and to some extent the pentile matrix display.
The iPhone 5S is also a good phone though it does have a smaller display. It has the best camera among all the devices I have mentioned.
So I ask you people for your opinion. Which device should I buy?
I am not a heavy user. My daily usage includes a couple of hours of offline music, roughly 1-1.5 hours of web browsing, average messaging, a couple of photos and some pandora in the evening while connected to my bluetooth speaker. I don't play games much on my phone. Maybe an hour of cumulative gaming in 3-4 days.
I am still willing to buy the Z2 if the overheating and cracking issues aren't that widespread. I have nothing against iOS or Android. I use an android phone along with an iPad Air. So no issues there. So please be neutral in your opinions( don't start bashing the iPhone). And please feel free to suggest any other phone that you think is good ( please avoid the HTC One M8 and LG G3)
I personally have the z2 and love it. The main thing boils down to design and ui you will have no issues with battery life based on your usage. Apple and ios is its own thing all together if you prefer ios as a daily driver go for the iPhone as for the Android devices Samsung is plagued by there touchwiz ui where as Sony is pretty much stock android with a few added things for the camera and Walkman app etc. The z2 is a large device there is no denying that however the larger screen if you don't mind the phone being bigger is a big advantage for just about everything. It's easier to type on and makes Web browsing easier. I haven't had any issues with mine in terms of defects. One big advantage with the Android devices is the sd card. Although you may not need it at the moment if you have got the phone for 2 years it's great to be able to expand the storage if needed. I would recommend popping into a phone shop and playing with the phones and see what you like best as everybody is different. Hope this helps you.
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nobby00900 said:
I personally have the z2 and love it. The main thing boils down to design and ui you will have no issues with battery life based on your usage. Apple and ios is its own thing all together if you prefer ios as a daily driver go for the iPhone as for the Android devices Samsung is plagued by there touchwiz ui where as Sony is pretty much stock android with a few added things for the camera and Walkman app etc. The z2 is a large device there is no denying that however the larger screen if you don't mind the phone being bigger is a big advantage for just about everything. It's easier to type on and makes Web browsing easier. I haven't had any issues with mine in terms of defects. One big advantage with the Android devices is the sd card. Although you may not need it at the moment if you have got the phone for 2 years it's great to be able to expand the storage if needed. I would recommend popping into a phone shop and playing with the phones and see what you like best as everybody is different. Hope this helps you.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your opinion. I have been to various stores and tried the devices. My major concern is the cracking, which cannot be tried in the store. Since you have a Z2, maybe you can elaborate your usage a bit. How long have you had the device? Also does the device overheat?
Also, what would be your next preference, after the Z2 (out of the 4)?
Hey, welcome to the Z2 forums.
First and foremost let me say that my phone is from the 14W28 batch, meaning it was produced between 7th July 2014 and the 13th July 2014 (both dates are inclusive). Also I am running a ExistenZ made by @niaboc79 which may have sorted some problems I may have faced if I hadn't have installed it.
The first worry you have with the phone is overheating, with my phone in particular I have not encountered any overheating problems with normal usage. The hottest it usually gets to is 50C or so. When the phone is on charge it does get slightly hotter if and when I use it, although it has never gotten past 60C. I don't think it is fair to compare the heat from usage of this phone to the Xperia M but I would like to point out when I was using the Xperia M normally the phone would hit 60C-65C and when I tried to use the phone on charge it was hitting 70C-75C. And thus I don't think there is much of a 'problem', although the constant heating and cooling down of the rear panel could contribute to it cracking. (Side note; I also did a 4K video record test to see how hot the phone could go/how long I could record for, I managed 10 minutes before I accidentally closed off the recording and the hottest the phone got was 60C and it cooled off quite quickly.)
The second worry you have with the phone is the self-cracking issues. Again, I haven't encountered any problems with the phone cracking. I do keep it in a case to be safe. However, I have knocked it off of my bedside table during the night quite a few times but still no scratches nor cracks on the front (due to my screen protector) and no scratches nor cracks on the rear of the phone either. It is possible that the self cracking phones were put under 'stressful' situations like tight pockets, rapid cooling and heating, often drops/falls or maybe it could just have been a problem with the earlier batches (mine may still be subject to these issues as it is from about 2 months after the release of the phone).
I have now had my phone for 2 weeks and I am happy as Larry with it. I manage to easily get 1 day battery out of the phone (this is only cause I use it a lot at night before I charge it). If you want my opinion on what other phone I would go for after the Z2 it would be the iPhone 5S.
Having just gone though a similar decision process, I feel I am qualified to answer.
Obviously, since I am reading this forum, I went with the Z2
I also do not like the idea of a glass back. It almost made me avoid this phone. I just don't see the advantage - Thicker, heavier, slippery, and it doubles the chance of cracking.
Note that in my research, I did not see that there is any greater chance of the screen cracking on the Z2 than other similar phones, just that there is the addition of the back cracking, which doubles the statistics.
On the plus side, the Z2 was basically the only phone out there (at all) that "Checked all the boxes"
Must - haves:
4.4.x
All bands 3G and 4G
stereo speakers
NFC - Can use Google Wallet
Other "Icing on the cake"
Looks good.
1080p screen
Good Cameras
Waterproof
Other phones I was considering:
Oppo Find 7
One Plus
Xaiomi Mi3
Huawei P7
HTC One M8
I should mention that the Vertu Signature Touch (Pure Jet Calf, preferably) was the only other phone that really met all my specifications (3G/4G bands, 1080P, NFC, 4.4. stereo speakers), but even after doing a really good job of looking under the cushions of the sofa, I wasn't quite in a position to buy a $10,000 phone.
First of all, congrats for buying a new phone, having a new phone is always exciting to me.
I own a Xperia Z2, and previously owned an iPhone 5s and a galaxy S5. So as you, I don't have any concern about iOS and android.
So, let me begin with Xperia Z2. The Z2 is one of the best phones I'd ever owned, as the battery life is great, I think photos are better with this than with the iPhone 5s, it looks great, the stock UI is easy and stylish, Sony developed great tweaks such as ClearAudio or Stamina Mode and there are lots of development for this. Personally, I had problems with proximity sensor, but it was solved after I flashed a custom rom, and I'm happy after that. No overheating problems or cracking.
I consider Z3 Mini, the expensive version of Z2, as the specs are almost the same but in a smaller case, so If you want to stay with Sony, I would go for the Z2.
The iPhone 5s is such a great device, I consider this also one of the best phones I'd ever owned (Under the Z2). Camera is great, battery life is average, iOS is well balanced and stylish, tons of accessories specially designed for iPhone, and well... is an iPhone.
The Galaxy Alpha looks gorgeous and high-end, almost as an iPhone, the specs are average for the price. I think you are paying more for design than for specs. It's pretty though. In my own opinion, I don't like TouchWiz, so I will put this in the last option.
I would buy it in this way:
- Xperia Z2
- iPhone 5s
- Xperia Z3 Mini
- Galaxy Alpha
If you accept recommendations and if you want a high-end device at low prices, look for the OnePlus One. The negative aspect of this, is that you need an invitation to buy one (I have one, if you want).
Let us know which was your decision.
What about LG G3?
Sent from my D6502 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
The overheating problem with 4k video has greatly improved with software updates. Not so much an issue now. The build quality issues are never general. Luck of the draw I suppose!
The z2's got the best overall specifications on your list of devices. It's a great phone with no weaknesses side from the auto mode of the camera. Learn to use manual controls and you'll soon lose the impression that the 5S has a better camera.
Considering that is the cheapest on your list, I'd say it's a no brainier. Best phone, cheapest price! What more could you ask for. You have Sony's insane 6 month cycle policy to thank for being able to buy the z2 at such a price.
Trust me, in no way are any of the other devices on your list worth more than the z2.
That's One thing to bear in mind though when purchasing Sony devices. They don't hold their value for very long because of the rate at which Sony releases flagship phones so don't expect good resale prices should you decide to sell it on one day.
So if the rapid devaluation in value isn't an issue for you, the z2 is the one and only real choice you have. Unless, that is, you want to settle for less and pay more for the privilege lol
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As far as i can tell, ive owned two z2s... The self cracking is an earlier build issue.
My 2nd one has had no issues.
Also after some fighting with sony and getting the better business bureau involved sony fixed the first one at no cost.
Self cracking is an issue for a small, but vocal, minority so can be ignored. overheating similarly isn't an issue for most users in normal usage, sure Z2 gets warm but what superphone doesn't only real issue is if you want to record long videos in 4k,which if you bear in mind most phones are limited to 4 minutes is a problem whatever device you get. Z3 compact will likely be more prone to overheating, much the same hardware in a smaller package.
As for iPhone 6,if it fits your criteria and you can live with its closed environment go with it, an android device probably isn't for you anyway.
ghostofcain said:
Self cracking is an issue for a small, but vocal, minority so can be ignored. overheating similarly isn't an issue for most users in normal usage, sure Z2 gets warm but what superphone doesn't only real issue is if you want to record long videos in 4k,which if you bear in mind most phones are limited to 4 minutes is a problem whatever device you get. Z3 compact will likely be more prone to overheating, much the same hardware in a smaller package.
As for iPhone 6,if it fits your criteria and you can live with its closed environment go with it, an android device probably isn't for you anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What makes you think android devices are not for me?
I just found out about this phone and I am in a similar situation as the OP.
I am looking for a used/new phone for less than $500 dollars, has an above average camera, good battery life, and no lag issues.
Currently, I am using HTC one m7. A few problems with it is that a camera is super slow and crappy at low light situations. The camera takes like 1-2 seconds to focus on the subjects in dark environments. Next, the phone lags and hiccups quite a bit. I've tried a few custom roms but the performance is still not flawless.
In the past, I have owned an iPhone 5 and it was great except I got tired of the OS, that's why I went back to android. iPhone took best pictures in my opinion. The camera was fast. The phone did not have any hiccups. One big thing I noticed going from iPhone to HTC was that songs don't skip as fast as on the iPhone. It takes a split second more for songs to skip in an HTC music player. It kinda took time to get used to it again. I would consider getting the iPhone 6, but it is too expensive.
I am also considering oneplus one, m8, and maybe moto x or nexus 5. But overall, I think z2 is the best all-round performer.
Ananay Singh said:
What makes you think android devices are not for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With iPhone everything is designed to just work, if it doesn't tough ****. Android, still IMHO, lacks the polish but there are almost always work around to any major issues.
In my experience the people willing to work around androids foibles find the locked down world of iOS too constrained, and those who put up with those constraints find the fiddling with android to get it set up to their liking too much. But that's just my take on it.
I was kinda skeptical too after reading about all those Issues but still bought the Z2 1 month ago and I couldn't be happier.
No heating issues, no call issues, no cracking glass (so far)
Everything works flawlessly ?
Sent from my Xperia Z2
Ananay Singh said:
I had made up my mind for the Xperia Z2. It is the most balanced phone providing adequate power, battery life, decent camera, storage, etc. but recently I came to know about the over heating & self cracking screen issues with the Z2( or the entire Z series including the Z3 & Z3 compact). There are quite a lot of reports of the glass on the phone cracking. Also that the phone overheats a lot. I am worried as whatever I buy, I'll have to stick with it for 2 years. Sony has refused warranty in most cases related to this issue. Same issue plagues the Z3 Compact
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Self-cracking is not a thing. If it was, you'd be seeing the forum flooded with complaints, not just a handful of people moaning.
Those claiming self-cracking most likely damaged it themselves through abuse, possibly knowingly, or possibly not.
** This is just my personal thoughts and musing on my experience with my first Android phone. I doubt it's very interesting but I thought I'd share anyway and welcome others to comment and share their experiences. If you're not interested just don't read it, please don't pick holes and post snarky comments. **
Boring introduction
I've had an iPhone since the 3G went on sale and upgraded over the years to the 4 and then the 5. Apple always made beautiful hardware and software with flawless usability but at 3 years old my iPhone 5 was looking like a poor relation compared to the latest flagships and the recently launched, palm filling iPhone 6.
I had gone SIM ONLY after my iPhone 5 contract had finished and I was paying around half the amount for pretty much unlimited everything. I certainly didn't want to start another contract with hefty bills each month but there was no way I was going to shell out over £600 for a new one.
I was also getting frustrated with the limitations of the iPhone devices. Everything works perfectly but why do I need a Stocks app if I don't have any stocks? Why do I need an Apple Watch app, the new U2 album or be restricted to using iTunes for my music? (Other music apps are available but don't integrate as well into the functions of the os)
So about 12 months ago I picked up an Android magazine during a long wait in Gatwick Airport and thought I'd see what the other side was offering. I've been an amateur Linux hacker/enthusiast for a number of years so I knew from experience that the trade off in flexibility from a largely open source platform was potentially a more buggy, ugly and inconsistent user experience.
The magazine featured a review of the ZTE Blade S6. It looked just like a very cheap iPhone 6 knockoff (I now have one at work, it's cheap but it does the job) but my mind started mulling over the specs and I began to put a wishlist together in my head. Good camera, expandable storage (a massive drawback on Apple devices), large screen (so I could do away with my crappy tablet), long battery life and good looking (I didn't want a super glossy, plasticy, Samsung Galaxy or iPhone clone).
My investigations lead me to news of the LG G4 launch and a beta testing programme. The phone looked amazing, it was leather for a start, how crazy. I applied for the trial but didn't get selected. The G4 was going to set me back £500 unlocked so after reading the reviews of the G3 and finding it online for just over £200, I bought my first Android phone.
First thoughts
The package arrived and as I opened it I saw a gold and brown box (the kind of colours you expect to see on the wallpaper in an Indian restaurant). I panicked - I had ordered the white phone, I didn't want gold. Metallic plastic looks nasty (no offence if you have the gold one). Luckily it was white inside.
The pearlescent white was OK, not amazing, in fact kind of cheap looking and the logo strip on the front looked like the design had been lifted off of a 90s microwave but overall it was pleasant to hold, slim and if you didn't look too closely it looked quite sleek and modern.
I charged it up (the accessories were actually more stylish than the phone. They should promote the team who made the charger) and booted it.
WTF!!! The icons! Who thought that square icons in grubby shades of the dullest colours was remotely a good idea? The oversized status and soft key bar icons looked uncomfortable and Smart Bulletin was about as much use as a pocket on a sock.
Customisation
I lived with it for a few weeks. The weather effects were fun, I was getting used to the blinking LED and having a file manager was a whole new freedom that meant I could actually work on my phone. I installed an icon pack but still couldn't make peace with that clunky and aesthetically unpleasing UI. Time to root and sign up to XDA.
The first ROM I tried was Resurrection Remix. It had been recommended to me and it was amazing. Customisation that I dreamed of. But for some reason the phone would randomly shutdown in the middle of the night and could only be turned back on by removing the battery. I couldn't risk it. I use my phone as an alarm so I needed it to be reliable.
I discovered Cloudy and combined with XPosed I was able to get a UI that was a compromise between LG and what I wanted, although apps such as the dialer, calculator and the settings interface still bugged me.
I know they are only small things and shouldn't really bother me but your phone becomes an extension of yourself. In fact I interact more with my phone on a daily basis than I do with a lot of people, so it needs to be an enjoyable experience.
When MM was released I went back to stock and thought I could just live with the ugliness. Cloudy had shut up shop, Fulmics wasn't there just yet and I wanted MM! It was a massive trade off. For full camera functions and stability, I sacrificed my hard work fine tuning my ROM, but I got impatient fast. In fact Marshmallow has been announced months ago and no sooner had 6.0 been given to us like a late Christmas present, 6.0.1 was out for other devices.
CyanogenMod 13.0
Then I discovered the tread about CM13. I knew about CM already and knew it was the base for many of the custom ROMs I'd tried in the past but I thought installing this would give me an almost pure Android experience with regular updates and I can live without slo-mo video or the other LG features.
Initially there were bugs that meant my first attempt was short-lived and I ended up going back to stock within a few hours. I have a Xiaomi Mi Band and CM couldn't recognise BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) devices.
Soon the bug was fixed and CM13 was reinstalled. In general my CM experience has been pretty good although it's evident the software wasn't intended for your device. It's not a perfect fit with fewer features in the camera and some niggly bugs (it's only in beta).
The ROOT of all evil
Tiring of my epic quest for the perfect ROM and settling with CM13 was a short lived moment of harmony. I had come to terms with my banking app not working and even the camera but then the rumour leaks - UK to get Android Pay by the end of March.
It's nearly the end of March and no sign yet but it got me thinking about the future of mobile technology and more importantly what I want from a device (it's rarely used as a phone).
It's obvious they are worming their way into more and more areas of our lives and will continue to do so. Android Pay doesn't currently work with CM or rooted devices and it's a cat and mouse game to cloak, hide and workaround these barriers. What I need is a device that fits my wish list and I can run without root.
Hello Moto
So last night I decided to take the plunge and treat myself to a new device. A purer Android experience with a snazzy look, regular updates and a low price tag. My Moto X Style should arrive tomorrow and I'm hoping our relationship will not be as turbulent as it was with the G3.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
"The course of true love never did run smooth". Android isn't an OS for everyone and im glad you took the plunge into the android world after so many years with an iPhone. Hope you enjoy your Moto X and also hope your time with that phone would last for a long time.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
Shifters123 said:
"The course of true love never did run smooth". Android isn't an OS for everyone and im glad you took the plunge into the android world after so many years with an iPhone. Hope you enjoy your Moto X and also hope your time with that phone would last for a long time.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I do love Android. I love the freedom.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
Thanks for your honest opinions , give lightning launcher a try with minimal work it can give you a totally different looking type of interface
markthomson1404 said:
Thanks for your honest opinions , give lightning launcher a try with minimal work it can give you a totally different looking type of interface
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm on Google Launcher at the moment. I really like Microsoft Arrow launcher in a way but it needs more customisation options.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
Hi, although I don't hate my phone, I'm totally agree with you.
The shutdown issue... terrible thing of CM12.1 (and of stock firmware too, but less frequently).
Then you criticized the limitations of LG system, like any other. Sadly many trademarks choose to promote banal and heavy customatizations which make phone like a "closed box"... like iPhone & Family!
Personally, when I want to buy or suggest a phone, I look only for hardware specifications.
The stock firmware will be replaced asap.
I really would appreciate a Nexus with both external SD and removable battery support: the stock Android experience and an easier modding experience, without too many bootloader complications.
It's the same with me, but I'm stuck with a contract.. Have fun with your Moto!
Simone98RC said:
Hi, although I don't hate my phone, I'm totally agree with you.
The shutdown issue... terrible thing of CM12.1 (and of stock firmware too, but less frequently).
Then you criticized the limitations of LG system, like any other. Sadly many trademarks choose to promote banal and heavy customatizations which make phone like a "closed box"... like iPhone & Family!
Personally, when I want to buy or suggest a phone, I look only for hardware specifications.
The stock firmware will be replaced asap.
I really would appreciate a Nexus with both external SD and removable battery support: the stock Android experience and an easier modding experience, without too many bootloader complications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was in the hardware is important camp and just wipe the software but with Android Pay launching and requiring you to be unrooted, I need the software to be as perfect as possible stock.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
RapHaeL_4_4_4_ said:
It's the same with me, but I'm stuck with a contract.. Have fun with your Moto!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Amazon should hopefully deliver it in a few hours so I'll report back later
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
that's sad. did you try the official marshmallow stock rom?? for me its the most perfect and smoothest rom ever used in my G3. btw moto is awesome too. good luck!
superawesomeme said:
** This is just my personal thoughts and musing on my experience with my first Android phone. I doubt it's very interesting but I thought I'd share anyway and welcome others to comment and share their experiences. If you're not interested just don't read it, please don't pick holes and post snarky comments. **
Boring introduction
I've had an iPhone since the 3G went on sale and upgraded over the years to the 4 and then the 5. Apple always made beautiful hardware and software with flawless usability but at 3 years old my iPhone 5 was looking like a poor relation compared to the latest flagships and the recently launched, palm filling iPhone 6.
I had gone SIM ONLY after my iPhone 5 contract had finished and I was paying around half the amount for pretty much unlimited everything. I certainly didn't want to start another contract with hefty bills each month but there was no way I was going to shell out over £600 for a new one.
I was also getting frustrated with the limitations of the iPhone devices. Everything works perfectly but why do I need a Stocks app if I don't have any stocks? Why do I need an Apple Watch app, the new U2 album or be restricted to using iTunes for my music? (Other music apps are available but don't integrate as well into the functions of the os)
So about 12 months ago I picked up an Android magazine during a long wait in Gatwick Airport and thought I'd see what the other side was offering. I've been an amateur Linux hacker/enthusiast for a number of years so I knew from experience that the trade off in flexibility from a largely open source platform was potentially a more buggy, ugly and inconsistent user experience.
The magazine featured a review of the ZTE Blade S6. It looked just like a very cheap iPhone 6 knockoff (I now have one at work, it's cheap but it does the job) but my mind started mulling over the specs and I began to put a wishlist together in my head. Good camera, expandable storage (a massive drawback on Apple devices), large screen (so I could do away with my crappy tablet), long battery life and good looking (I didn't want a super glossy, plasticy, Samsung Galaxy or iPhone clone).
My investigations lead me to news of the LG G4 launch and a beta testing programme. The phone looked amazing, it was leather for a start, how crazy. I applied for the trial but didn't get selected. The G4 was going to set me back £500 unlocked so after reading the reviews of the G3 and finding it online for just over £200, I bought my first Android phone.
First thoughts
The package arrived and as I opened it I saw a gold and brown box (the kind of colours you expect to see on the wallpaper in an Indian restaurant). I panicked - I had ordered the white phone, I didn't want gold. Metallic plastic looks nasty (no offence if you have the gold one). Luckily it was white inside.
The pearlescent white was OK, not amazing, in fact kind of cheap looking and the logo strip on the front looked like the design had been lifted off of a 90s microwave but overall it was pleasant to hold, slim and if you didn't look too closely it looked quite sleek and modern.
I charged it up (the accessories were actually more stylish than the phone. They should promote the team who made the charger) and booted it.
WTF!!! The icons! Who thought that square icons in grubby shades of the dullest colours was remotely a good idea? The oversized status and soft key bar icons looked uncomfortable and Smart Bulletin was about as much use as a pocket on a sock.
Customisation
I lived with it for a few weeks. The weather effects were fun, I was getting used to the blinking LED and having a file manager was a whole new freedom that meant I could actually work on my phone. I installed an icon pack but still couldn't make peace with that clunky and aesthetically unpleasing UI. Time to root and sign up to XDA.
The first ROM I tried was Resurrection Remix. It had been recommended to me and it was amazing. Customisation that I dreamed of. But for some reason the phone would randomly shutdown in the middle of the night and could only be turned back on by removing the battery. I couldn't risk it. I use my phone as an alarm so I needed it to be reliable.
I discovered Cloudy and combined with XPosed I was able to get a UI that was a compromise between LG and what I wanted, although apps such as the dialer, calculator and the settings interface still bugged me.
I know they are only small things and shouldn't really bother me but your phone becomes an extension of yourself. In fact I interact more with my phone on a daily basis than I do with a lot of people, so it needs to be an enjoyable experience.
When MM was released I went back to stock and thought I could just live with the ugliness. Cloudy had shut up shop, Fulmics wasn't there just yet and I wanted MM! It was a massive trade off. For full camera functions and stability, I sacrificed my hard work fine tuning my ROM, but I got impatient fast. In fact Marshmallow has been announced months ago and no sooner had 6.0 been given to us like a late Christmas present, 6.0.1 was out for other devices.
CyanogenMod 13.0
Then I discovered the tread about CM13. I knew about CM already and knew it was the base for many of the custom ROMs I'd tried in the past but I thought installing this would give me an almost pure Android experience with regular updates and I can live without slo-mo video or the other LG features.
Initially there were bugs that meant my first attempt was short-lived and I ended up going back to stock within a few hours. I have a Xiaomi Mi Band and CM couldn't recognise BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) devices.
Soon the bug was fixed and CM13 was reinstalled. In general my CM experience has been pretty good although it's evident the software wasn't intended for your device. It's not a perfect fit with fewer features in the camera and some niggly bugs (it's only in beta).
The ROOT of all evil
Tiring of my epic quest for the perfect ROM and settling with CM13 was a short lived moment of harmony. I had come to terms with my banking app not working and even the camera but then the rumour leaks - UK to get Android Pay by the end of March.
It's nearly the end of March and no sign yet but it got me thinking about the future of mobile technology and more importantly what I want from a device (it's rarely used as a phone).
It's obvious they are worming their way into more and more areas of our lives and will continue to do so. Android Pay doesn't currently work with CM or rooted devices and it's a cat and mouse game to cloak, hide and workaround these barriers. What I need is a device that fits my wish list and I can run without root.
Hello Moto
So last night I decided to take the plunge and treat myself to a new device. A purer Android experience with a snazzy look, regular updates and a low price tag. My Moto X Style should arrive tomorrow and I'm hoping our relationship will not be as turbulent as it was with the G3.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that totally sucks! I want iPhone users to see what's so great with Androids. I would actually recommend the G3 to any iPhone user trying to switch to Android. It blows you didn't have a good experience as I love the phone so much I won't upgrade because this phone is a beast. With fulmics 4.2 MM, xposed and G3 tweaksbox your phone would have been a better experience. I myself want to try an iPhone but I just can't let this phone go lol. Well I hope this bad experience didn't want to make you go back as the new G5 might change your mind :fingers-crossed:
GTRanushka said:
that's sad. did you try the official marshmallow stock rom?? for me its the most perfect and smoothest rom ever used in my G3. btw moto is awesome too. good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried official Marshmallow for a few weeks, the battery life was incredible and it was so smooth. I think that's what I find so frustrating, LG make some amazing tech, the specs are top notch and they don't age/slowdown as fast as others but there are so many proprietary modifications to the OS that it's put me off LG.
It's obviously just a personal preference but I just find their design aesthetic unpleasing, like a hybrid of Kit Kat (the dull colours and oversized status/nav icons) and Lollipop (material design, but poorly executed in this case).
The heavy skinning was the reason I avoided Samsung too. Again incredible hardware. These companies seem to take the same half-assed approach to UI design as Microsoft. A jumble of different styles, moving forwards with good ideas but poorly executed with remnants of the past hanging about.
Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk
RapHaeL_4_4_4_ said:
It's the same with me, but I'm stuck with a contract.. Have fun with your Moto!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Omg it's amazing. I few things I miss from the LG...
- Power button position (I'll get used to it)
- Double tap to wake
- Wireless charging
Other than that it's practically perfect (so far)...
- The display is incredible. I'm on about 15-20% brightness and it's so vivid and clear. I had to have the LG between 50-60%.
- Snapchat video filters work, inc slow-mo, fast, reverse (these didn't work on LG)
- Moto display for alerts, you just wave your hand over the front for a power friendly notification screen.
- Pure Android experience so no ugly status bar.
- Super fast burst mode on camera (plus improved low light mode)
- Front flash
- Beautiful shape and rear texture
- Gestures such as double twist for camera mode, karate chop for flashlight, etc
This is the droid I was looking for!
Sent from my XT1572 using Tapatalk
Sighh.. so guys, i had my mi mix for about 6 months and i loveD this phone. but i feel like its come to the end of the line already.
MIUI is basically unusable for me, missed notifications, calls missed by delay of ring & late notifications, group texting is horrible, camera image processing sucks, OS crashes etc. (all this before rooting mind you)
But after rooting all of those issues went away....for a bit.
so since day 2 i had it rooted running lineageOS and switched to RR, but 3 months later and up til today i started experiencing:
Slight screen burn
Constant OS Crashes/Random Reboots
Cell Signal dropping in areas that it didnt while running MIUI
Still bad camera image processing
Call Audio dropping extremely low when volume is Maxed
Bluetooth disconnects while my phone is in my pocket (didnt happen on MIUI)
and several other things.
I work in I.T. and cant have some of these things happening while at work.
I started looking at alternative devices and since the Pixel 2 is too dang much for my pockets I'm considering the Pixel XL.
I hate that the screen is 5.5 inches over my 6.4 but I need something nice that works. I'm wondering if i left if I'd be happy or nah?
Personally, the screen real estate and battery life the mi mix provides are too good to leave for a mere 5.5 inch phone. Also, I'd rather have 1080p over 1440p as I consider it a waste. I don't mind the lcd over amoled, I love the screen just fine, and I don't take lots of pictures so I'm not really bugged by the camera. Overall I consider the pixel xl an ugly ass phone and think it'd be crazy to change your beautiful and futuristic mi mix with that humongous display for an ugly small screened phone that doesn't even have a better processor. Hope it helped
manupa14 said:
Personally, the screen real estate and battery life the mi mix provides are too good to leave for a mere 5.5 inch phone. Also, I'd rather have 1080p over 1440p as I consider it a waste. I don't mind the lcd over amoled, I love the screen just fine, and I don't take lots of pictures so I'm not really bugged by the camera. Overall I consider the pixel xl an ugly ass phone and think it'd be crazy to change your beautiful and futuristic mi mix with that humongous display for an ugly small screened phone that doesn't even have a better processor. Hope it helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what are ur thoughts on the G6 or Huawei Mate 9?
The way you are talking you seem to have made up your mind already.
I find it odd though that I'm not experiencing any of the symptoms you mentioned.
My guy u do realize your 1 in the possible thousands of people that own this phone correct? Nobody's device is perfect. This is what I'm experiencing personally not the whole mi mix end user list. The only thing I have made up in my mind is that my phone isn't gonna last forever as my daily driver because of these issues so I'm seeking suitable alternatives before I make the jump.
Get the oneplus 5t, it will be coming soon and has a newer processor than the pixel xl. Or s8+ if you can get it for a decent price in whichever country you're from.
I've always rooted and modified whatever phone I've had and I can say I love miui it's smooth it's fast it has built in theme support which is what I mainly rooted for I'm sorry you've had issues u gave miui only 2 days before u jumped ship I would flash stock miui 9 from epicrom and see if issues resolve before downgrading to pixel XL....but with the recent software improvements and price drop essential phone should be a consideration before pixel XL it's newer it has SD 835 and screen size you're used to and at 449 u can still get 450 for mi mix easy and be out no money just my .02
gtshiftin6 said:
I've always rooted and modified whatever phone I've had and I can say I love miui it's smooth it's fast it has built in theme support which is what I mainly rooted for I'm sorry you've had issues u gave miui only 2 days before u jumped ship I would flash stock miui 9 from epicrom and see if issues resolve before downgrading to pixel XL....but with the recent software improvements and price drop essential phone should be a consideration before pixel XL it's newer it has SD 835 and screen size you're used to and at 449 u can still get 450 for mi mix easy and be out no money just my .02
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appreciate the reply! I'll give this a shot, although I dont see why stock android wouldnt give me a better experience than MIUI. I used to love miui back in versions 6 & 7, and im not saying its bad now but i just had a bad experience with it on this device. but ill definitely give it another go!
rappa619 said:
Get the oneplus 5t, it will be coming soon and has a newer processor than the pixel xl. Or s8+ if you can get it for a decent price in whichever country you're from.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ! im in the USA, but i was trying to stay around that 500-600 price point, the S8+ is kinda pushing it being as though its $724.99 over here. the one plus is definitely a contender for the future though
I would try a few other ROMs before getting a different phone. AICP has been rock solid for me now for months.
One issue your having is the custom roms - I tried them all and more or less they all get buggy over time [some more than others]. I run stock global and its has next to never crashed [fc'ed], call quality is fine and carrier permitting the notifications [network related ones] show up fast / local ones never get missed.
Two the pixle only has a camera that's better, screen is worse more or less - storage is A LOT worse and you don't even really get a more durable device.
Been using mine as my daily driver since I picked it up in late Jan 2017 - its really never failed me as long as I didn't go rooting / fiddling with things. That brings me back to something I mentioned awhile back in another post. Miui doesn't like to be tampered with - roms based on this tend to become unstable [been using miui roms since 2008 or so and the behavior has never really changed]. The non miui roms are stable enough until you go messing with them too [especially visually]. In addition to that many of the custom roms seem to leave things out, often little things but they add up to annoyances.
Its your money - but the Pixel isn't the one I would go for if your looking to replace this thing. Its not that good a phone. Look at the Mate 9 / 10 series or some other designs.
Hi everyone!
I recover this thread some time later because I am very sadly considering selling this wonderful device. Development is very poor and doesn't look to get any better and that is a crucial point for me. I mean, I have a Nexus 5, left out from official Google development a long ago, and community's very strong and development is never stopping, great kernels, some good Oreo builds... It is very sad when compared to the Mix.
I love this big guy but probably will sell it soon and move to ... That's the problem! To what??
This discussion was carried out a while back and some new players have appeared since then. What are your opinions? What would be the best alternative?
Top of the game specs and big screen are musts for me and those two features combined make it real difficult ...
Thanks in advance!
albertoduqe said:
Hi everyone!
I recover this thread some time later because I am very sadly considering selling this wonderful device. Development is very poor and doesn't look to get any better and that is a crucial point for me. I mean, I have a Nexus 5, left out from official Google development a long ago, and community's very strong and development is never stopping, great kernels, some good Oreo builds... It is very sad when compared to the Mix.
I love this big guy but probably will sell it soon and move to ... That's the problem! To what??
This discussion was carried out a while back and some new players have appeared since then. What are your opinions? What would be the best alternative?
Top of the game specs and big screen are musts for me and those two features combined make it real difficult ...
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mi mix 3 looking good.
james1089 said:
Mi mix 3 looking good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LoL that's an extremely unrealistic rumour.
Sent from my lithium using XDA Labs
albertoduqe said:
Hi everyone!
I recover this thread some time later because I am very sadly considering selling this wonderful device. Development is very poor and doesn't look to get any better and that is a crucial point for me. I mean, I have a Nexus 5, left out from official Google development a long ago, and community's very strong and development is never stopping, great kernels, some good Oreo builds... It is very sad when compared to the Mix.
I love this big guy but probably will sell it soon and move to ... That's the problem! To what??
This discussion was carried out a while back and some new players have appeared since then. What are your opinions? What would be the best alternative?
Top of the game specs and big screen are musts for me and those two features combined make it real difficult ...
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, we have AOSiP that is going to be updated to oreo soon, and the new notification system in the MIUI developer rom made me have interest in MIUI again.
I agree that the development is poor (although the ones that do/did develop are/were awesome) and its sad to see developers leave but Im proud to own the device that pioneered the bezeless screen and even does it better than the modern flagships (and the MI MIX 2 ) and it is the most beautiful brick in the world.
My plan is to wait for oreo from AOSiP and meanwhile try the MIUI developer rom again with the new notification system (I cant afford a new phone so I have no other choice ).
About alternatives, I think the honor v10 is a great alternative (low price and great hardware and software) Although there is almost zero development in xda for this phone (because of the kirin processor) but EMUI is now great after the EMUI 5 update and huawei phones are a part of the first phones that got the oreo update so the support from huawei is good.
But In my opinion the best alternative is the OnePlus 5T and I think I dont have to explain why :laugh: .
Konstantine34 said:
LoL that's an extremely unrealistic rumour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does, but plenty of believable sites also mentioned this device.
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2017/12/xiaomi-mi-mix-3s-alleged-back-cover-case-surface.html
Konstantine34 said:
LoL that's an extremely unrealistic rumour.
Sent from my lithium using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you seen the Samsung version of that concept? Same full screen and they're saying maybe out by 2019 Galaxy Z phone is what it may be called
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
omerbagi10 said:
Well, we have AOSiP that is going to be updated to oreo soon, and the new notification system in the MIUI developer rom made me have interest in MIUI again.
I agree that the development is poor (although the ones that do/did develop are/were awesome) and its sad to see developers leave but Im proud to own the device that pioneered the bezeless screen and even does it better than the modern flagships (and the MI MIX 2 ) and it is the most beautiful brick in the world.
My plan is to wait for oreo from AOSiP and meanwhile try the MIUI developer rom again with the new notification system (I cant afford a new phone so I have no other choice ).
About alternatives, I think the honor v10 is a great alternative (low price and great hardware and software) Although there is almost zero development in xda for this phone (because of the kirin processor) but EMUI is now great after the EMUI 5 update and huawei phones are a part of the first phones that got the oreo update so the support from huawei is good.
But In my opinion the best alternative is the OnePlus 5T and I think I dont have to explain why :laugh: .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah more or less in the same spot. Still waiting and hoping for the guys behind AOSiP, AICP and Viper to bring Oreo to the Mix And maybe some new developer to get the phone and play around with it a bit.
The OP5T does look cool, probably the best value right now in the market. Maybe similar to Mix 2 although dev support is probably better for OP devices in general.
One thing about new notification shade: it is supposed to be there in the 7.12.8 beta (only china beta) , but it is not there in the same release of xiaomi.eu... Haven't tried official MIUI but I find it strange that it is not in the xiaomi.eu mod. Know something about it?
Searched miui forum and read changelogs and stuff and didn't actually find anything clear on the matter. And no official global beta since 7.5.25 I believe...
james1089 said:
It does, but plenty of believable sites also mentioned this device.
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2017/12/xiaomi-mi-mix-3s-alleged-back-cover-case-surface.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, back cover seems OK but that full display screen is kinda fairy tale. I and some were expecting Mix 2 to come as +6,4'' screen with less bezels and it became worse. So I keep my expectation about the display screen a bit low.
jr313 said:
Have you seen the Samsung version of that concept? Same full screen and they're saying maybe out by 2019 Galaxy Z phone is what it may be called
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't see it yet. Samsung perhaps does a bit better job over unlimited screen but they cut from edges and put it to top/bottom. Jeans' pockets are not capable to make them fit lol. What a PITA.
Sent from my lithium using XDA Labs
Konstantine34 said:
Yeah, back cover seems OK but that full display screen is kinda fairy tale. I and some were expecting Mix 2 to come as +6,4'' screen with less bezels and it became worse. So I keep my expectation about the display screen a bit low.
Didn't see it yet. Samsung perhaps does a bit better job over unlimited screen but they cut from edges and put it to top/bottom. Jeans' pockets are not capable to make them fit lol. What a PITA.
Sent from my lithium using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://youtu.be/uuYcR7daXRs you can check it out here, it almost looks identical to what is seen in the mi mix video excluding the three cameras on back
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Title says it all. I'm looking to pick up a new phone as my current HTC M9 is finally showing its age.
This is what I'm looking for in a phone:
I am BIG on de-bloating and ad blocking so at minimum root is REQUIRED.
Not required but might as well be, 3.5mm jack
6" screen or smaller, would prefer to stay below 5.6"
must support US AT&T bands
some what new specs
would like to have a LED display
not a requirement but defiantly looked at is battery life/size
I use to be VERY big into installing custom ROMS and Kernels. I've slowly backed off a bit but still love to do it from time to time. My HTC is just running a de-bloated version of the stock developer ROM. My Shield Table on the other hand is running lineage OS as the stock ROM is garbage. Having custom ROM options for this reason makes me feel secure in my purchase which is another reason I'm looking at a OnePlus in general.
From the digging I've done there really isn't much that meets my requirements. The OnePlus 5 seems to be my best option that I can find. The one plus 6 goes outside of my size limits. From the reading I've done it seems like the spec upgrades to the 6 vs the 5 just aren't worth the size changes.
I've also looked at the Asus ZenFone 4 Pro and ZTE nubia Red Magic Mars. The Asus modding community is basically dead other wise it seems to be a great fit. As for the ZTE it just barley meets my size limitations and is a bit of a gamble being that I have no experience with this manufacture before. Other then that my only gripe with the device itself is the LCD display but I currently have a LCD on my HTC so its not to big a deal.
So would you recommend that I pickup a OnePlus 5 or should I be looking at something newer due to the 5 approaching 2 years old now?
If this changes anything I would be picking up the phone from Amazon due to OnePlus only selling their most recent device on their website. I.E. - No warranty / international version https://www.amazon.com/OnePlus-A500...0955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&s=mobile&sr=1-2
I would suggest looking for a Oneplus 6 that has proper camera implementation and other little issues resolved. Or a Google Pixel 2XL if you want something that will last you longer in terms of updates ( eBay is having many auctions lately). In general, I would not recommend buying a Oneplus 5.
BrownEye02 said:
Title says it all. I'm looking to pick up a new phone as my current HTC M9 is finally showing its age.
This is what I'm looking for in a phone:
I am BIG on de-bloating and ad blocking so at minimum root is REQUIRED.
Not required but might as well be, 3.5mm jack
6" screen or smaller, would prefer to stay below 5.6"
must support US AT&T bands
some what new specs
would like to have a LED display
not a requirement but defiantly looked at is battery life/size
I use to be VERY big into installing custom ROMS and Kernels. I've slowly backed off a bit but still love to do it from time to time. My HTC is just running a de-bloated version of the stock developer ROM. My Shield Table on the other hand is running lineage OS as the stock ROM is garbage. Having custom ROM options for this reason makes me feel secure in my purchase which is another reason I'm looking at a OnePlus in general.
From the digging I've done there really isn't much that meets my requirements. The OnePlus 5 seems to be my best option that I can find. The one plus 6 goes outside of my size limits. From the reading I've done it seems like the spec upgrades to the 6 vs the 5 just aren't worth the size changes.
I've also looked at the Asus ZenFone 4 Pro and ZTE nubia Red Magic Mars. The Asus modding community is basically dead other wise it seems to be a great fit. As for the ZTE it just barley meets my size limitations and is a bit of a gamble being that I have no experience with this manufacture before. Other then that my only gripe with the device itself is the LCD display but I currently have a LCD on my HTC so its not to big a deal.
So would you recommend that I pickup a OnePlus 5 or should I be looking at something newer due to the 5 approaching 2 years old now?
If this changes anything I would be picking up the phone from Amazon due to OnePlus only selling their most recent device on their website. I.E. - No warranty / international version https://www.amazon.com/OnePlus-A500...0955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&s=mobile&sr=1-2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Existing thread for such discussions is this https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1620179
Here is my opinion about your question.
I recently purchased a op5 about 10 days back. I could have picked up the 6T but until the onscreen fingerprint is a few generation old I dont want to go that way. 6 was out of question due to the notch. 5t has a great screen and my friend is using it but I NEED my fingerprint on the front.(It is my use case could be different for u)
+ the metal body and 3.5 mm jack.
Also, the camera is good enough for daytime shots and the 835 with 6GB is very zippy and I am sure it will remain so for a couple of years. And it does have a great dev scene so later when my device is a year or so old i can just unlock the bootloader and go custom. I love custom rom and used to do that the 1st thing once i got my phone but nowadays i just dont have the time.
Overall i love the phone and feels very premium. I cant give my feedback about the other models u have listed above but personally for me OP5 checks all the boxes.
Go for 5 since it meets almost all on your checklist and besides, there's not much difference from the OP5 to 6/6T in terms of performance. Been using my OP5(6/64(Latest Beta)) for more than a year now but I hadn't have any hiccups or slow performance issues in all the applications. Plus, up till now; The Rom / Kernel development for OP5 is still alive and kicking.
Only issue that I had with my OP5 is the "Device temperature too low" which is already a hardware issue(Motherboard) as per the local tech and honestly speaking, I believe it was my fault as well. Maximing the usage of my OP5 and kept on using it even if it's charging then while I'm sleeping, accidentally covered the phone with my pillow(while AFK on Ragnarok Mobile) thus causing the phone to heat up to the maximum temp(Too hot to even hold the phone with it's case on). As of writing, I'm still waiting for my phone to be fixed by the tech.
Thanks everyone for the input!!
With the research I did today I ended up going with the Galaxy S9 (EXYNOS). Covers all my bullets, its a newer device then the OnePlus 5 with very close to the latest specs and was able to find the 128GB for $560. With it being the EXYNOS processor I should have no issues rooting and debloating it. And if I cant stand the stock rom it looks like they have good lineage OS development for it so I can just jump to that.
I just bought me a Oneplus 5 to replace my old Nexus 6. I bought the 8/128 variant in great shape for $260. I had the seller leave the bootloader unlocked for me so that I can easily root and flash ROMs when I'm ready. I haven't read into how any of that works on the OP5 or what I would need to do. I'd presume that I'd probably just boot into TWRP and flash magisk but I haven't checked any of that out.
So far, I absolutely love the phone. I knew my Nexus 6 was getting slow and was going to literally blow up at some inopportune time but I guess that I didn't realize how awful it was til buying the OP5. I haven't tried anything too taxing on it yet but this has been so smooth that it's hard to imagine anything else.
OP5 still a beast and will run all playstore apps for years to come. (6/8gb ram is insane for 99% of users)
-Also, less pixel (16:9 1080p) makes it faster and gives better battery performance.
-I love the out-of-display buttons, imo is the android signature.
- sound chip is awesome, big sell point for me on my ath-m50s.
I choose this phone especially to reduce my overcompensation (no, money isn't the problem). micro-technology is just killing the planet, so not changing my phone every year (hello apple fan boi) was a huge sell point for me.
Actually ram killed my previous phone, even with swap partition it was too slow ( HTC Desire Z from 2010). So I decided to get the best phone ram wise, xda support wise and chipset wise.
The only issue I have, is Oneplus refuse to sell batteries, this is just stupid, I mean yeah I get they want you to change phone model, or send them back your op for repairs, but still, how many people want to change the battery??? not much! so I dont get why they are so picky on that !
wife's OP3 still a very fast phone even in 2019, snapdragon 820, 6gb ram, but battery doesnt hold the charge. ebay batteries are ****, tired once, and got 1900 mha, phone shutdown @ 20% charge.
I love the op5, and if I dont loose/break it, I should be good for an other 4 years I believe ! :good:
I came from a Pixel XL, the OP5 looked great because of 8GB of RAM (which seems impressive for a phone), a better SoC, and a slightly lower resolution (better 3D performance). Along with all those things being true in-person, the speaker is also a bit better. It also has good LineageOS support.
My main reason for switching was for ease-of changing the battery if I needed to; the Pixel XL needed some adhesive heating and careful lifting of the screen; I wanted no part of that. The OP5 just pries open on clips which I find very nice, and the battery access is from the back.
I got a slightly damaged one (minor drop damage; insides and screen looks ok) for $200; the 8GB/128GB model.