Database Users

For those thinking about buying an X2DS share your experiences.

Thinking about buying one of these??? Having always owned Nokias and hating the new Windows phone this seemed the natural replacement to my 808PV which I had stolen. So I bought one off ebay from Hong Kong, delivery was quick but came with Chinese firmware installed, including some chinese apps, so I flashed it with the latest firmware off navifirm I chose product code 059V779.
Flashing was easy using this great guide here >>> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2668005
Rather than immediately putting on Google Play and changing the launcher I wanted to see what the Nokia/Windows Android thing was like. Having used it for a couple of days I can honestly say, other than the fact I liked the main homescreen scrolling downwards, fastlane was pretty rubbish and needless and the app layout was not great either. Having tried multiple different launchers my favourite by far is the S Launcher, great on battery too.
I tried to continue using it without Google Play, as I read the moment Google gets on your phone all its little ram hungry processes will drain the battery, and although this may be the case a bit, having google play is way better as many apps such as banking apps here in the UK are only available through the play store. Worth it even for the small increased battery drain.
For that use the guide here works great. >>> http://forum.xda-developers.com/nokia-x2/general/tool-nokia-x2-tools-1-1-rus-en-rooting-t2846570
Seems a real pity Nokia never marketed these phones much in Europe as they stand up really well to similarly priced androids, anyway I'm really happy with mine and I'd recommend it to anyone, App compatibility seems to be about 95% and its an opportunity to own something a bit unique and quirky.
If anyones got any questions feel free to ask or PM me, not seen many UK Nokia X2 owners so more than happy to share my experiences/knowledge.
I posted my screenshots up here >>> http://forum.xda-developers.com/nokia-x2/themes-apps/info-post-screenshots-t2826693/post58965952#

Nokia X2 is low-quality device. But it's has got low price. Nokia X2 for Third World countries only (include East Europe and Russia).
Also today you may get better device with same price. I didn't recommended by this device

Questions regarding ze500kl and ZENui and ASUS in general

So I have here lots of questions
1. Other say that the camera of ze500kl is 13mp, other say 8mp. Which is true? Moreover, is the camera quality and laser autofocus worth it for the price?
2. I know that ZENui is plagued by bloatwares and is visually unattractive. Are there any good themes for zenui (preferrably material themes) and does zenui make the phone sluggish? is it laggy?
3. Any feature missing from stock android? Any useful added "zen" feature?
4. Is asus good with the dev community? Do they have a nice record of releasing timely updates and bug fix?
5. Is ze500kl good value for money?
6. Is the bootloader unlockable?

1) you must check the second part of the model name or the product code to be sure what hardware has the phone. My phone for example is:
complete model name: ZE500KL-1A224WW
product code: 90AZ00E1-M02250
you must google for the product code (or complete model name) and see if the official ASUS store and/or all the other stores report the same hardware specifications for that phone, so you will know what you are exactly buying.
2) I still don't know about themes, but ZenUI doesn't seem laggy, and you can disable most of the bloatware (you can also root easily the phone and disable what you want).
3) probably the only missing feature from stock android is the simpler configuration. ZenUI has many features that raises the complexity of the configurations.
4) No. Latest firmware for ZE500KL has been released in mid January (build in December). Since then many people have problems like the non-working GPS but at the time no updates (see the official ZenTalk forum). Also, it's still using Android 5.0.2 and no info when upgrading to future versions.
5) Surely yes if you are a regular user. And if you don't consider chinese brands like Xiaomi.
6) Not at the moment. I hope it will be in the near future and custom ROMs will come out, or I will sell my ZE500KL.

ZTE Axon 7 Max - no play store

I ordered a ZTE Axon 7 Max from china using eBay, and it came without the Play Store. I couldnt find it on the chinese ZTE store, and sideloading the apk let me install it but it wont open. Its in the open apps key but it won't load, like its blocked. Anyone have a fix? With how long it took to get it here and deal with the non-English speaking employees of this electronics sales group, I'd rather not have to send it back, but without rooting it and flashing another ROM it seems like this phone is nearly useless as an android without the Play Services being able to be used. This is a very frustrating situation, if its device specific I'm going to be livid that it wasn't in the description that it should only be purchased by Chinese clientele and not a functioning device outside their country...

jbraucht said:
I ordered a ZTE Axon 7 Max from china using eBay, and it came without the Play Store. I couldnt find it on the chinese ZTE store, and sideloading the apk let me install it but it wont open. Its in the open apps key but it won't load, like its blocked. Anyone have a fix? With how long it took to get it here and deal with the non-English speaking employees of this electronics sales group, I'd rather not have to send it back, but without rooting it and flashing another ROM it seems like this phone is nearly useless as an android without the Play Services being able to be used. This is a very frustrating situation, if its device specific I'm going to be livid that it wasn't in the description that it should only be purchased by Chinese clientele and not a functioning device outside their country...
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Lol you need much more than just the play store app... There are a bunch of other apps that have to be installed on the system to make everything work. For example Play Services
It IS a frustrating situation but you could have avoided it by investigating first. Chinese phones never come with Google apps, only some phones that are previously unlocked and tampered with by the sellers come with it preinstalled. What you have to do to install Google stuff is unlock the bootloader (I don't even know if there's a guide anywhere to do that, since I heard very little about the Max), install TWRP, and flash OpenGApps or BeansGApps

i was actually able to install google play store and google play services as downloaded apk files. I transferred them from computer to phone via cable. And they got installed and work.

Happy days!
What is an Axon 7 Max? Extra large screen?

RobboW said:
Happy days!
What is an Axon 7 Max? Extra large screen?
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Dual camera, standard Chinese design on the front, 3D LCD display (although some say that it's only good when displaying photos from the dual cam). Also I think it has zero development
---------- Post added at 12:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 AM ----------
sagimarius said:
i was actually able to install google play store and google play services as downloaded apk files. I transferred them from computer to phone via cable. And they got installed and work.
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On an axon 7 max?

The axon 7 max i would say is a completely separate device from the axon 7, and unfortunately does not seem to even have development for it on XDA, since it has a snapdragon 625 processor compared to our snapdagon 820. So if you thought you got it because of the "max" branding and thought everything in this forum will work for you, then you're wrong my dude but hey if you figure out how to unlock bootloader, install TWRP, remove verity and install Magisk, you could possibly create development threads in the Android General forum and Android Software Development forum for the 7 Max, unless there already is.
And hey still, perhaps you could try some of the development stuff from here, but I won't take responsibility for bricking your device.

Choose an username... said:
Dual camera, standard Chinese design on the front, 3D LCD display (although some say that it's only good when displaying photos from the dual cam). Also I think it has zero development
---------- Post added at 12:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:14 AM ----------
On an axon 7 max?
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Yes, on Axon 7 Max, C2017, the 3D one...

sagimarius said:
Yes, on Axon 7 Max, C2017, the 3D one...
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Yes, I know... That's why you shouldn't use anything from here

I dare to disagree with you... I would actually love to have root access and to be able to install gapps on it. I can"t even import my google contacts as the google account is not seen as an option in the Phonebook"s settings... Strangely, the Yahoo and Facebook accounts are an option... There is an "Add Acount">Exchange Account>Google option, but, when typing in the gmail details, it will say "This account exists" and then with "Start" as the only option, open my gmail emails....

sagimarius said:
I dare to disagree with you... I would actually love to have root access and to be able to install gapps on it. I can"t even import my google contacts as the google account is not seen as an option in the Phonebook"s settings... Strangely, the Yahoo and Facebook accounts are an option... There is an "Add Acount">Exchange Account>Google option, but, when typing in the gmail details, it will say "This account exists" and then with "Start" as the only option, open my gmail emails....
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You disagree with what? Yeah, sure, the world would be a better place with root and all, but unfortunately, you are on the A2017X forum. You have a C2017. No help here.

It sais "Axon 7" in the title, not A2017X, right? C2017 is an "Axon 7" too... It's the Max version of the Axon 7. Isn't it?

sagimarius said:
It sais "Axon 7" in the title, not A2017X, right? C2017 is an "Axon 7" too... It's the Max version of the Axon 7. Isn't it?
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Nope. Phones don't work that way man...
They could have called that phone the "Blade V958" and you would not make this dumb argument.
What SOC does the Max have? SD65x?
Think about it this way:
-There are 3 variants of the Axon 7. The A2017, the A2017G and the A2017U. Cross-flashing kills the radio or even wipes the IMEIs.
There are 3 phones that fall under the Axon 7 category: Axon 7, Axon 7 mini, and Axon 7 max. They are A2017X, B2017X and C2017X. The Mini has just recently gotten a tool to unlock it. It has nothing to do with the Axon 7's. THEY ARE DIFFERENT PHONES
There are two variants of the Moto G 2. Titan and Thea. One has 4G and the other hasn't. Cross-flashing bricks the phones. (If you actually modded the files so that they would flash)
In these two examples these phones have exactly the same SOC. SD820 for the Axon 7, SD40x for the G 2.
Now think about what would happen if you flashed anything from another SOC to the phone...
Don't try to force the argument. You can't even use the same tools for unlocking because axon7tool will write in another address and you'll hopelessly hard-brick your phone forever.

Planning on buying this phone

So I was planning on buying this phone.
But before I buy this phone I have a few questions to ask.
Will this phone get official LineageOS? if yes, how long does it take?
how was your experience with the phone so far? Was it good or bad, and why?
Will the price of this phone will drop in a few weeks?(for Malaysia set)
Thank you!

watatara.102 said:
So I was planning on buying this phone.
But before I buy this phone I have a few questions to ask.
Will this phone get official LineageOS? if yes, how long does it take?
how was your experience with the phone so far? Was it good or bad, and why?
Will the price of this phone will drop in a few weeks?(for Malaysia set)
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My opinions:
1. It's still in the earlier stage for this phone, so LineageOS maybe take time to be "tasted".
Need some patient here..?
2. Its bad for the software. The curve aren't smooth enough at the bottom(not sure yet is that from software or hardware).
Im also facing wifi tethering problem where its connected but no internet.
(Im starving for custom rom ?)
Hardware seems to be ok but im still confuse with gsmarena n cpu-z where gsmarena state the cpu clock are 2.2GHz but the cpu-z state its only 1.96GHz.
3. This year end sale would do, maybe. Discount only.
The price trend maybe still the same just like the M1 generation.
Just sharing my opinion..
---------- Post added at 01:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ----------
watatara.102 said:
So I was planning on buying this phone.
But before I buy this phone I have a few questions to ask.
Will this phone get official LineageOS? if yes, how long does it take?
how was your experience with the phone so far? Was it good or bad, and why?
Will the price of this phone will drop in a few weeks?(for Malaysia set)
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My opinions:
1. It's still in the earlier stage for this phone, so LineageOS maybe take time to be "tasted".
Need some patient here..?
2. Its bad for the software. The curve aren't smooth enough at the bottom(not sure yet is that from software or hardware).
Im also facing wifi tethering problem where its connected but no internet.
(Im starving for custom rom ?)
Hardware seems to be ok but im still confuse with gsmarena n cpu-z where gsmarena state the cpu clock are 2.2GHz but the cpu-z state its only 1.96GHz.
3. This year end sale would do, maybe. Discount only.
The price trend maybe still the same just like the M1 generation.
Just sharing my opinions..

1. I dont think you will get that Lineage OS anytime soon since the TWRP for this phone not even out yet.
2. If you had used Asus Phone before, their OS is pretty plain if you compared to the features rich Samsung or Huawei. The phone is very responsive and the screen looks great compared to my Samsung A7 2017. For the amount money you pay, you get the fastest mid tier processor, 6GB RAM and 64GB Storage, nothing to complain form me. The only problem I see now is the wordings being cut at both left and right edge at the bottom, and it seems I am unable to format any of my Sandisk Ultra 128GB MicroSD as portable storage (the card was used in my Samsung phone and it works well all the time) but It can be formatted as internal storage using adoptable storage. So far I had tried 3 Ultra cards all just refuse to work properly.
3. Direct D is selling at RM999 for the 6GB version, you should be able to find some selling on Lazada or Lelong slightly cheaper, maybe RM50 or so. They are doing promotion on the M1 at RM899 for the 6GB version but when they are selling at RM999 for the M1, I can find the M1 selling for like RM859 on lazada for the 6GB version. So unless you are getting the M1, yes you can find some with reduce price if you look hard enough, but for the M2, maybe just slight cheaper than the SRP for now.

Better not to buy, phone has lot of bugs Asus never gonna fix the issues. Better to switch mi or Nokia android one series with zero bugs.

1. Will this phone get official LineageOS? if yes, how long does it take?
Let me just clarify that I am happy with stock android because I bought this phone strictly for work. I am not even going to root. However, people who want to flash custom roms have to wait. The unencrypted source code was recently released. Hopefully, development can pick up pace and there will be custom roms soon.
2. How was your experience with the phone so far? Was it good or bad, and why?
It is good. For the price I paid, this phone is performing extremely well. I debloated it as soon as I got it out of the box and now the stock android coupled with good hardware is excellent. I have not noticed the notch issues, maybe because it is a recent purchase and it was fixed, or maybe because I am using Nova launcher and the notches at the bottom seem fine to me.
The phone is fast and responsive and the battery lasts forever. Call quality, network reception, wifi/bluetooth connectivity and external storage are all working fine for me. There are no complaints.
The camera seems sub-par. I am not an experienced photographer so maybe others could use it better. The photo quality is far from what I got from my older pixel phone but I don't mind because I only use it to scan documents, for which it works well.
3. Will the price of this phone will drop in a few weeks?(for Malaysia set)
Unlikely, seeing the pricing trend of the older max pro m1 in India

Thank you for the reply!
I think will buy the phone, but not now... maybe in a few more months or when Asus decide to put an discount
Oh and yesterday(1 jan 2019) price for Max Pro M2 got 5% off to RM819... so yeah I'm gonna wait

steprajjog said:
Better not to buy, phone has lot of bugs Asus never gonna fix the issues. Better to switch mi or Nokia android one series with zero bugs.
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Click to collapse
That the reason why I asked about LineageOS(or any other custom roms). If Asus not gonna fix it, then maybe some developer will.
About switch to Mi or Nokia, I prefer to have pure android experience... I know Mi and Nokia have in Android One program but Mi don't have audio jack while Nokia too expensive for me.

watatara.102 said:
That the reason why I asked about LineageOS(or any other custom roms). If Asus not gonna fix it, then maybe some developer will.
About switch to Mi or Nokia, I prefer to have pure android experience... I know Mi and Nokia have in Android One program but Mi don't have audio jack while Nokia too expensive for me.
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Click to collapse
Lol, he must have someone on the inside. Every oems fix the issues through updates. Max pro M1 received like 15 updates I think. So don't worry it will get fixed. This is the best mid ranger right now.
About custom roms: some members of the community were able to port twrp and also root the phone using magisk today. So the development will also Kick-start in a month or two.
Buy it if you like it. :good:

kickyvivi said:
About custom roms: some members of the community were able to port twrp and also root the phone using magisk today.
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Aweasome! Is there any forum post? can you link it to me? Thanks

watatara.102 said:
Aweasome! Is there any forum post? can you link it to me? Thanks
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Click to collapse
It was posted in the telegram group.
Link: Zenfone Max Pro M2 | OFFICIAL
Zenfone Max Pro M2 - Official | Telegram Group
- Rules : Use /rules
- Channel: @asusmaxProM2
- Our Off-Topic Group: @zenfoneOT
- Our Photography Group: @zenfonePhotography
- Our Customization Group: @zenfoneCustomization
https://t.me/ZenfoneMaxProM2Official

The notch. Can you hide it? I am getting sick of the notch

maXDAmn said:
The notch. Can you hide it? I am getting sick of the notch
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Install apps from store then u can hide it..there many apps to hide the notch from playstore. try it.

You know what? I about to place an order on this weekend.
And now with Xiaomi announcement about their new phone, Redmi note 7.
I'm on dilemma!

watatara.102 said:
You know what? I about to place an order on this weekend.
And now with Xiaomi announcement about their new phone, Redmi note 7.
I'm on dilemma!
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Click to collapse
Redmi 7 won't come for another 2 3 months even if they release it in India. Both phones will be similar and similarly priced. And don't get your head churned about the 48mp camera. It's just clever advertising.

kickyvivi said:
Redmi 7 won't come for another 2 3 months even if they release it in India. Both phones will be similar and similarly priced. And don't get your head churned about the 48mp camera. It's just clever advertising.
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I'm more interested into small waterdrop notch and usb type-c compare with max pro m2 notch and micro usb.
to my understanding that Redmi note 7 using Samsung sensor and its only 12 MP interpolate to 48 MP but not for Redmi note 7 Pro which is using Sony imx586 that actually real 48MP
Redmi note 7 Pro will release in China in Chinese New Year(probably) and after 1 month maybe we can see this phone for global set

watatara.102 said:
I'm more interested into small waterdrop notch and usb type-c compare with max pro m2 notch and micro usb.
to my understanding that Redmi note 7 using Samsung sensor and its only 12 MP interpolate to 48 MP but not for Redmi note 7 Pro which is using Sony imx586 that actually real 48MP
Redmi note 7 Pro will release in China in Chinese New Year(probably) and after 1 month maybe we can see this phone for global set
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rn7 pro. Hmm. No idea when that will come to India.

Does it support MHL or not ?
My decision is greatly depending on this feature, please inform me.

Dont buy this hanging phone touch problem and hanging problem. We have to press 3 times to open particular app.

TechNcracked said:
Does it support MHL or not ?
My decision is greatly depending on this feature, please inform me.
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Anyone here to reply on this??

TechNcracked said:
Anyone here to reply on this??
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Click to collapse
what phone are you referring to? RN7 or max pro m2?

Xiaomi answer to request for enabling camera2 api

I had emailed to xiaomi global services and requested them to enable camera2 api feature by default in future updates, the email and their answer are in the attached pics and below:
Email:
Hello
I'm using mi a2 and suffering lack of camera2 api feature. I don't want to unlock and flash my phone due to bricking risk. So please enable camera2 api on Mi A2 by default, or at least inform us to wait fo feature or not.
Another thing is mi a2 secondary rear camera. It has PDAF and can do a better and smoother auto focus than main camera while video recording. (Main camera beating on auto focus). If that is possible please enable video recording by secondary rear camera on default camera app and other apps as photo shooting is enabled in camera app manual mode.
Xiaomi answer:
Dear Customer,
Greetings from Xiaomi Escalation Desk.
This is to inform you that Mi A2 uses native Google system, none of these default Settings have been changed,
and it is not recommended to change them manually, which may cause some system exception.
Thank you for being a valued customer.
Thanks & Regards,
Saif Ulla
Xiaomi Escalation Desk
Is seems they have no plan to enable it

Ah, I actually ripped my ass off on that,I sent them emails about Camera2 API, Created a bug report in Google AOSP website, even started a Twitter campaign and replied to every single tweet from Xiaomi with #ARCore_For_Mi_A2 and also #Camera2_API_For_Mi_A2. In emails they said they look into my suggestion which is basically the thing that companies do when people are asking them for an issue and they just want to get rid of it, And I went through a lot of pain being on Twitter doing that campaign because I was bored due to the massive amount of curses people were just saying to me and you know at the end Xiaomi actually blocked me from replying to their tweets so I pulled myself out of that game. According to papers Google forces OEMs on Enabling Camera2 API on devices shipped with Android pie and higher, Xiaomi wants to keep the amount of features in it's A series at minimum. Doesn't matter if it's just a simple API or ARCore or NFC, Xiaomi doesn't care about It's A series and tries to offer nothing more than what it's obligated to do from Google as an Android One OEM.
Xiaomeme is a good Hardware Company with bad Software, exactly opposite of Google.
Basically Xiaomeme's strategy is updating Android version and adding no features to it's Android One devices and Adding features and not updating the Android version on it's MIUI devices.

LonelyGlitch said:
Ah, I actually ripped my ass off on that,I sent them emails about Camera2 API, Created a bug report in Google AOSP website, even started a Twitter campaign and replied to every single tweet from Xiaomi with #ARCore_For_Mi_A2 and also #Camera2_API_For_Mi_A2. In emails they said they look into my suggestion which is basically the thing that companies do when people are asking them for an issue and they just want to get rid of it, And I went through a lot of pain being on Twitter doing that campaign because I was bored due to the massive amount of curses people were just saying to me and you know at the end Xiaomi actually blocked me from replying to their tweets so I pulled myself out of that game. According to papers Google forces OEMs on Enabling Camera2 API on devices shipped with Android pie and higher, Xiaomi wants to keep the amount of features in it's A series at minimum. Doesn't matter if it's just a simple API or ARCore or NFC, Xiaomi doesn't care about It's A series and tries to offer nothing more than what it's obligated to do from Google as an Android One OEM.
Xiaomeme is a good Hardware Company with bad Software, exactly opposite of Google.
Basically Xiaomeme's strategy is updating Android version and adding no features to it's Android One devices and Adding features and not updating the Android version on it's MIUI devices.
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What is the ARcore for? And why is it important on this device?

zwen0416 said:
What is the ARcore for? And why is it important on this device?
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Augmented Reality
For example you can stand next to a growling Hulk in a movie you shoot, or play games where space ships fly through your living room.

onimorza said:
Augmented Reality
For example you can stand next to a growling Hulk in a movie you shoot, or play games where space ships fly through your living room.
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Thanks! Just wondering if SXD670 is powerful enough to run this?

zwen0416 said:
Thanks! Just wondering if SXD670 is powerful enough to run this?
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Well I did use ARCore on MI A2 so it runs. (In case you are wondering, there is a way to enable ARCore if you have Magisk but discussing it here will be going OT)