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Mi 4C is it worth it?

Hello all,
I hope your devices are treating you well.
I currently have a Nexus 4, which the support for is slowly dying. Therefore, I need to buy a new well supported phone.
First off, I really like the Mi 4C. However, I fear that it will become obsolete and follow the N4's fate really soon. Is that true?
Second, when I got the N4, I realized that there were some issues that people didn't speak much about such as noise while in phonecalls because of the proximity sensor and some headset buttons not working. Are there any similar - or untold - problems like that?
Finally, some rumors are popping out about the Mi5, do you think its worth the wait?
Any and all answers are appreciated. Thank you.

IMO if you really like vanilla android, fast updates and vast amount of custom ROMs, you will probably gonna miss that on Xiaomi's phone
My last phone was Moto G first gen and my first impression after moving to Xiaomi (MIUI) is that some features from vanilla android are missing on MIUI. I really missed that on the first couple of weeks but I learn to live without that for a few more weeks, had enough and switched to CM12 ROMs
Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the hardware. It's just I didn't really like MIUI
I think you should try MIUI first to see if you like it or not and you can always use custom ROMs if you want.

gutzzz said:
my first impression after moving to Xiaomi (MIUI) is that some features from vanilla android are missing on MIUI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you miss from stock android?
Thanks.

nor-ric said:
What did you miss from stock android?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Little things like expanding notifications on the lock screen without pulling notification drawer, task switcher design, inconsistent notification color and overall UI experience is less polished than vanilla android.
It looks like a minor thing but once it's gone I really missed that.

Well MIUI isn't so bad, just a bit different and needs time to get used to. The device seems the best 5' vfm right now. Upon release of kernel sources I'm sure it will get proper dev support too.

Thanks for all your answers.
The way I understand it now is that the device doesn't have proper dev support due to the lack of an open source kernel. Was the release of this kernel a rumor or was it confirmed?
Also, can you guys please answer me about the wait for Mi 5 and the device's hardware issues?
Thanks again

MisT. said:
First off, I really like the Mi 4C. However, I fear that it will become obsolete and follow the N4's fate really soon. Is that true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even Xiaomi still supports 3 years old Mi2s, how are you saying Mi4c is going to obsolete soon?
MisT. said:
Second, when I got the N4, I realized that there were some issues that people didn't speak much about such as noise while in phonecalls because of the proximity sensor and some headset buttons not working. Are there any similar - or untold - problems like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the other threads. I don't have it (or don't realize it), but those people who report do.
MisT. said:
Finally, some rumors are popping out about the Mi5, do you think its worth the wait?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can afford it, go. It will be a beast.

leledumbo said:
Even Xiaomi still supports 3 years old Mi2s, how are you saying Mi4c is going to obsolete soon?
Check the other threads. I don't have it (or don't realize it), but those people who report do.
If you can afford it, go. It will be a beast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answers

4c is probably the best bang for buck phone you can get now, great specs incl ir blaster, great camera, loud speaker although mono. Only thing keeping it back is kernel sources but that hasn't stopped 2 different cm roms coming on it.
I also came from a Nexus 4 and this is a great upgrade and I expect it have support for 3 years at least.
Mi5 will be great phone with flagship specs so at least wait for the official reveal and prices. If I were in your position I'd probably lean towards the mi5

I just got this Mi-4c a few days ago from a friend. Honestly, I love MIUI. I used to have a ROM with it on my old Motorola Triumph from Virgin Mobile. I think it's amazing with the themes. Pair in different fonts and live wallpapers and I'm in love.
I currently use an iPhone 6s as my primary, have a Note 3 for media, a BlackBerry Z10 just because and a Lumia 640 for the same reason.
I can't wait until my official smart wallet case from Xiaomi comes! I love technology... ^.^
Sent from my Mi-4c using Tapatalk. ·MIUI 7·

Septembersrain said:
I just got this Mi-4c a few days ago from a friend. Honestly, I love MIUI. I used to have a ROM with it on my old Motorola Triumph from Virgin Mobile. I think it's amazing with the themes. Pair in different fonts and live wallpapers and I'm in love.
I currently use an iPhone 6s as my primary, have a Note 3 for media, a BlackBerry Z10 just because and a Lumia 640 for the same reason.
I can't wait until my official smart wallet case from Xiaomi comes! I love technology... ^.^
Sent from my Mi-4c using Tapatalk. ·MIUI 7·
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using stock MIUI7 og 3rd party?

jonasb_dk said:
Are you using stock MIUI7 og 3rd party?
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Click to collapse
I'm using stock MIUI 7. Luckily I'm pretty familiar with the layout, so I can navigate easily even though everything is in Chinese. I figure if I want to modify, I can always do it. For now though, I'm enjoying it the way it came.
Only thing I've done is get the Playstore and the Google installer. Besides that, I liked the phone as it came.
Sent from my Mi-4c using Tapatalk. ·MIUI 7·

Septembersrain said:
I'm using stock MIUI 7. Luckily I'm pretty familiar with the layout, so I can navigate easily even though everything is in Chinese. I figure if I want to modify, I can always do it. For now though, I'm enjoying it the way it came.
Only thing I've done is get the Playstore and the Google installer. Besides that, I liked the phone as it came.
Sent from my Mi-4c using Tapatalk. ·MIUI 7·
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is a pretty neat phone. I actually like MIUI, more than I thought. But it bugs me, that I can't set the DPI. That's actually the only thin preventing me from using MIUI. Also, I can't seem to be able to download Theme or anything from the MI Store.
Did you check if you had any malware installed when you got it? Mine was infected when I got it. I just bought one for my significant other, got it today, and found out that it too was infected, had TWRP installed and Xiaomi.eu as ROM. :silly:

jonasb_dk said:
Yes, it is a pretty neat phone. I actually like MIUI, more than I thought. But it bugs me, that I can't set the DPI. That's actually the only thin preventing me from using MIUI. Also, I can't seem to be able to download Theme or anything from the MI Store.
Did you check if you had any malware installed when you got it? Mine was infected when I got it. I just bought one for my significant other, got it today, and found out that it too was infected, had TWRP installed and Xiaomi.eu as ROM. :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why can't you download themes? I use a third party to buy the Mi credits.
I don't see any malware. I could be wrong though, anything I should be looking for?
Thanks!
Sent from my Mi-4c using Tapatalk. ·MIUI 7·

jonasb_dk said:
Yes, it is a pretty neat phone. I actually like MIUI, more than I thought. But it bugs me, that I can't set the DPI. That's actually the only thin preventing me from using MIUI. Also, I can't seem to be able to download Theme or anything from the MI Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can manually chnange the DPI:
1) Install a terminal emulator
2) Type in "su" and grant Superuser rights
3) Type in "wm density YOURDPI"
4) Reboot.
Just replace YOURDPI with the dpi you want, for example 380.

Horizontal multi-multitasking they way they do it sux. Just give me lollipop carousel and MIUI is everything iOS should be but never will be.

[Q] Trying to understand the camera issue with ROMs

Noob to this.
So I let me try to understand this:
When I flash a ROM, for some reason, everything pretty much works as intended aside from the CAMERA?
Something about camera blobs?
Why isn't the camera being copied from the stock (official / factory) ROM?
Thanks!

benyben123 said:
Noob to this.
So I let me try to understand this:
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you can help us understand more by giving us more information like:what's the error with camera? which rom?

Mr.Ak said:
Maybe you can help us understand more by giving us more information like:what's the error with camera? which rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
I am running official LineageOS.
First, camera will force-close if I use HDR.
Second, the quality seems to be pretty lacking compared to what I remembered from the old days of using the 1 (see here also: http://bit.ly/2AhBe5T)
Third, as I try to read and learn, I came across this "camera blobs" thingy/issue. What is that? Is this because the OEM won't release camera source code? So devs have to build their own (which is not as good)? Or am I way off?
Thanks again!

yeah you're right they're usually closed source but the opos one is made by cm so linage is using the exact same. The color os blobs is what the Chinese version used which is far more superior also sultan has a modified oxygen os one. My personal favourite is the color os one by miles because the front camera on snapchat isnt soft/smudged looking. I cant use Anything with the linageos/cm blobs/hal, its such a downfall for me personally.

idonttakedrugs said:
yeah you're right they're usually closed source but the opos one is made by cm so linage is using the exact same. The color os blobs is what the Chinese version used which is far more superior also sultan has a modified oxygen os one. My personal favourite is the color os one by miles because the front camera on snapchat isnt soft/smudged looking. I cant use Anything with the linageos/cm blobs/hal, its such a downfall for me personally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you're so obsessed with snapchut 'cause you don't take drugs.

idonttakedrugs said:
yeah you're right they're usually closed source but the opos one is made by cm so linage is using the exact same. The color os blobs is what the Chinese version used which is far more superior also sultan has a modified oxygen os one. My personal favourite is the color os one by miles because the front camera on snapchat isnt soft/smudged looking. I cant use Anything with the linageos/cm blobs/hal, its such a downfall for me personally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this!
Good explenation.
Let me ask: is it not possible to get the official OxygenOS camera on my LineageOS 14.1 ROM?
PS - why do the OEM not allow this? Why do they close the source code? To keep their intellectual property since they developed it)?
Also pinging the helpful @Mr.Ak

benyben123 said:
Thanks!
I am running official LineageOS.
First, camera will force-close if I use HDR.
Second, the quality seems to be pretty lacking compared to what I remembered from the old days of using the 1 (see here also: http://bit.ly/2AhBe5T)
Third, as I try to read and learn, I came across this "camera blobs" thingy/issue. What is that? Is this because the OEM won't release camera source code? So devs have to build their own (which is not as good)? Or am I way off?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
benyben123 said:
Thanks for this!
Good explenation.
Let me ask: is it not possible to get the official OxygenOS camera on my LineageOS 14.1 ROM?
PS - why do the OEM not allow this? Why do they close the source code? To keep their intellectual property since they developed it)?
Also pinging the helpful @Mr.Ak
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can't release it due to copy rights i think? I'm not sure, and theres 3 oxygen os drivers. The first one which was open sourced (the one sultan uses), the 2nd which is pretty much ignored and the 3rd from the oneplus X port (nearly everyone prefers this one).
I dont like the port one due to lack of 4k in recording, the laggy view frame and i cant notice any quality difference between that and the color os one.
And for your question, there is a way after flashing things but personally i wouldnt do it due to linage not being coded for it.
My honest and best solution is to flash AEX sultanized : https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=889764386195923064
It's a very well built rom, fluid and everything works great and was my daily rom until i switched phones. Its very well rounded, not exactly the best at EVERYTHING, but its the best well rounded rom.
But if you want color os then go with ommi but i dont rate that rom personally, quite sluggish and plain, doesnt offer much except from the camera.
And if you wanna try the oxygen driver from the opx port then XOS unofficial will be your best bet, ill give it to them that rom has by far the best battery by miles BUT the performance is a major hit.
I'd suggest sultans rom too but AEX is more fluid and offers much more features (if you're into it, i wasnt but i did find some useful stuff)

idonttakedrugs said:
It's a very well built rom, fluid and everything works great and was my daily rom until i switched phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ayy,which device you bought?

Mr.Ak said:
Ayy,which device you bought?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3t was gonna get the LG G6 but the man in the shop talked me into the oneplus. No regrets ! I didnt realise how much of an upgrade it was, i thought the opo was fast and smooth!

idonttakedrugs said:
3t was gonna get the LG G6 but the man in the shop talked me into the oneplus. No regrets ! I didnt realise how much of an upgrade it was, i thought the opo was fast and smooth!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking about 3T too.Good choice!
Btw,it would've been better if you would've bought the device from site like eBay ,rather than buying it from shop,due to discounts.

Mr.Ak said:
I'm thinking about 3T too.Good choice!
Btw,it would've been better if you would've bought the device from site like eBay ,rather than buying it from shop,due to discounts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
price was VERY similar +i get 12 months proper warranty + i get to examine the phone before buying, burn in was a big concern for me so this was a huge benefit.
And honestly its such an upgrade in every single aspect except from the speaker (single)
Youtube videos dont do it justice, its unbelievably good

Anyone working on TWRP?

Hey guys, I wanted to ask if someone is already working on porting TWRP to the 3a?
If not I might give it a try myself. But I don't really have any experience in porting to a new device. So if someone knows a decent guide I am all ears.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1943625

I hope that someone would try and compile twrp for the 3a. Maybe we can all pitch in for donations to entice someone.

I have a bit of experience in compiling ROMs, but I never tried to port something to a new device before.
That's the reason why I was hoping someone else with more experience is already working on it...
I will do some reading up on the topic later on, depending on the complexity I might try it either way.

I am kinda surprised that one isnt already out. As much as this phone sold thought there would be more development,,,but its only been what a month?

Archangel said:
I am kinda surprised that one isnt already out. As much as this phone sold thought there would be more development,,,but its only been what a month?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More like 2 weeks.

Yup thanks for pointing that out but you get my point it hasnt been that long that the phone has been released LOL.
nickmv said:
More like 2 weeks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

iirc the pixel 3 didnt have it for a month or so. so we prob wont see it for another few weeks

Do you think we could just flash a GSI with fastboot and it would work?
Or do we need to disable verified boot first somehow (haven't had a Treble device yet so I don't really know how it works...)?

pretty sure you can just flash them once bootloader unlocked

pbanj said:
pretty sure you can just flash them once bootloader unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about Gapps? Any way I can install them without TWRP?

pbanj said:
iirc the pixel 3 didnt have it for a month or so. so we prob wont see it for another few weeks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I kinda miss the old days of Nexus devices where on day 1, you'd log in to XDA to find a ROMs section with like 50 posts and fully-dev'd mods already.
We got spoiled...

nickmv said:
I kinda miss the old days of Nexus devices where on day 1, you'd log in to XDA to find a ROMs section with like 50 posts and fully-dev'd mods already.
We got spoiled...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think with Android becoming more polished with each version and cherry picking custom rom features there becomes less and less a need for custom ROMs. I love having choices but ultimately always returned to stock rooted with a custom kernel with my 2xl.
Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

I have to be honest. I am not a fan of pie, and the fact so many things are missing that are pretty much standard for every custom room is annoying too.

pbanj said:
I have to be honest. I am not a fan of pie, and the fact so many things are missing that are pretty much standard for every custom room is annoying too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What features are you missing?
Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

Well the biggest issue is the horrible volume controls, next we have the fact that volume to skip songs is not there, full control over the nav bar to change its hight and layout, moving the clock, showing the date next to the clock, circle battery, having recents work without needing to leave the pixel launcher enabled, also the burn in protection and power saving features that some rooms have for oled screens.

pbanj said:
Well the biggest issue is the horrible volume controls, next we have the fact that volume to skip songs is not there, full control over the nav bar to change its hight and layout, moving the clock, showing the date next to the clock, circle battery, having recents work without needing to leave the pixel launcher enabled, also the burn in protection and power saving features that some rooms have for oled screens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Du put out a rc. But it's for the xl. Not sure what is different or if it would work on our non xl variant.
Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

jmtjr278 said:
Du put out a rc. But it's for the xl. Not sure what is different or if it would work on our non xl variant.
Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't be too much longer now hopefully.

crackedvenom2 said:
Can't be too much longer now hopefully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure. Don't know if any of their devs bought the 3a non xl. The rc they put out needs to be flashed with fastboot. Still waiting on that TWRP. I really want to know if that will work on our non xl 3a's.
Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

flocke000 said:
How about Gapps? Any way I can install them without TWRP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the DU RC for the Pixel 3A XL, Gapps are included in the ROM. It's all flashed in Fastboot. There was a comment on their Discord channel about Gapps being included in the ROM and the response was something like, this is just how it will be in Pie.
Of course this has nothing to do with our need for someone to compile TWRP for our device, but I am sure someone will get to it eventually. We all hope.

General Pixel Experience (Android 12L)

Rooting and installing GSIs is very easy on this device. Here, have a preview.

Your browser is not able to display this video.

Look fantastic. What variant do you have?

cashen said:
Look fantastic. What variant do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SM-A536E

@cashen
Your browser is not able to display this video.

It's good to know you can run it. I'm surprised it is so fluid. In my experience even Pixel 3a is a bit slow on the latest Pixel UI.
I honestly think Samsung's UI, or Pixel's Android 11 UI is better than Pixel Android 12/12L/13 UI (especially the quick action and lock screen layout), so I wouldn't try this.

b1283822 said:
It's good to know you can run it. I'm surprised it is so fluid. In my experience even Pixel 3a is a bit slow on the latest Pixel UI.
I honestly think Samsung's UI, or Pixel's Android 11 UI is better than Pixel Android 12/12L/13 UI (especially the quick action and lock screen layout), so I wouldn't try this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the speed and stability, batterylife increase are well worth it. this just made my a53 feel like a flagship device.

Dollscythe said:
the speed and stability, batterylife increase are well worth it. this just made my a53 feel like a flagship device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok so what's the procedure?

rinnycoop121 said:
ok so what's the procedure?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its better for me to make a custom rom.

waiting for sources to drop

Dollscythe said:
waiting for sources to drop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i made a ticket on their open source website. the sources for A536B are available on there because of me: https://opensource.samsung.com/uploadSearch?searchValue=A536BXXU1AVBB
if those work for every A53, great. if not, it would take maybe 24 hours for the others to be uploaded if tickets were created for either.

Dollscythe said:
@cashen
View attachment 5602329
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't suppose there's any chance of safetynet passing? i'd love to do this but i kinda need banking/contactless payment apps to work

bluelagoon8951 said:
i don't suppose there's any chance of safetynet passing? i'd love to do this but i kinda need banking/contactless payment apps to work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its trivial to pass safety net with magisk (which i also got running)

Dollscythe said:
Its trivial to pass safety net with magisk (which i also got running)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh, cool. i've been away from the modding scene for almost 3 years. last i remembered, magisk didn't fix safetynet. thanks very much.

Safetynet on my device passes. AOSP 12L + Magisk Systemless root (using kdrag0n's CTS module).
Good news.
if you wish to follow development closer, check https://t.me/GalaxyA53Development

Waiting for that custom rom and guide

How do you get the GSI installed because I don't have fast book on my device all I have is stock recovery and download mode

Dollscythe said:
its better for me to make a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well what's taking you so long is there a been over a month you still aint got that custom rom done

sharanoth said:
Rooting and installing GSIs is very easy on this device. Here, have a preview.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is there a gcam for the a53 ?

Awaiting still...
using A536E/DS variant

Question ported roms

I tried ALL custom rom, nothing that I liked.
I wanna try some ported roms but I didn't find any beside RUI 4.0 and ColorOS 12.1, is there any?

What do you expect from a rom?
I'm on Project Elixir and the rom is almost perfect I think

Shuyin10 said:
What do you expect from a rom?
I'm on Project Elixir and the rom is almost perfect I think
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there are still a lot of problems I think.
(Saturation 1000%, ****ty camera, Fingerprint basically never working..)
I want something with new features, everyone says "it's not just another pixel rom" when in fact, it is.

Lucxqq said:
No, there are still a lot of problems I think.
(Saturation 1000%, ****ty camera, Fingerprint basically never working..)
I want something with new features, everyone says "it's not just another pixel rom" when in fact, it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For saturation, I made a subject on it which solves the problem.
For the camera, not a problem for me I hardly ever use it and that of the Neo 2 is really not great
Problem with the fingerprint sensor? Mine works perfectly on Elixir

Shuyin10 said:
For saturation, I made a subject on it which solves the problem.
For the camera, not a problem for me I hardly ever use it and that of the Neo 2 is really not great
Problem with the fingerprint sensor? Mine works perfectly on Elixir
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The real problem is, why whould I use a rom that it needs a repair for daily use?

Lucxqq said:
The real problem is, why whould I use a rom that it needs a repair for daily use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it's a custom, it's rarely perfect. Personally, I don't mind running a line of code (which I saved to the clipboard) when the phone boots.
At least I can have a pure Android 13

If you're rooted, download smartpack kernel manager from fdroid and change saturation intensity according to your preference