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HTC One S Chinese Clone (Need a working ROM)

I have been living in China and have been having a difficult time finding a decent phone here. Seems that most of the phones end up being clones. A while ago I bought a phone off taobao.com for 1000 RMB (about $150 US).
Anyhow; the phone looks really slick and the hardware seems to be quite nice, but it is obviously a clone. The phone works quite well except for the fact that the Google Play Store does not work at all (I have tried manually adding the most recent Google Play Store apk and that seems to make no difference).
What I am hoping for is that someone can point me in the right direction to where I can go to download a ROM for this phone, or to modify the existing stock ROM.
I ran AnTuTu Benchmark v2.4 and these are the specs it gave me:
Phone Model: HTC ONE S
Brand: HTC
CPU hardware: Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8660
CPU model: ARMv7 Processor rev2 (v7l)
Screen resolution: 540x960
Android version: 4.2.1
Build number: Dual CORE 1.5GHz HTC ONE S ROM 4G+RAM 1GB_FOR AT&T
Linux version 3.0.13
I originally tried a ROM for the HTC ONE S, but it didn't work.
It has ClockworkMod Bootloader on it but it is a weird Chinese version. I tried to put an English version of CWM on but that did not seem to work either.
I chatted (in Chinese that was not very good) with the technical support of the place that sold me the phone to get the stock ROM.
Sum up:
Where do I go to find a ROM for this phone? or what other info about the phone do I need to know to know which rom I can download?
If I can't find a rom to download, is there any way I can hack the existing stock rom to make the Google Play store work?
EDIT: Just downloaded the Phone Tester App and here are some more stats about the phone:
Device
Brand: HTC
Manufacturer: SAMI
Model: HTC ONE S
Product: HTC
CPU: ARMv7 Processor rev 10 (v71)
RAM: 473MB
OS
Version: IML74K
Release 4.2.1
Kernel: 3.0.13
SDK: 15
Firmware: eng.andrew.134276301

Lets see a pic? Amazing that they would "clone" the phone yet build with the same specs. In my employer's experience, the "clones" of our products are often built by the same people that build them for us, i.e. our products go out the front door, while the extras go out the back...
EDIT, a little googling shows the MSM8660 is the "S3" variant...odd that it also reports 1.5Ghz which is usually an indicator of the S4, but try heading over the the dev section and see what's listed under [S3]...there isn't much, but some work is being done with a Sensation dev to bring Viper ROM to the S3.
The Android 4.2.1 report is also odd as even the latest JellyBean based CM10 is only at 4.1.1. China is a freaky place for understanding technology.
As I understand it, the Google Play store is only supposed to work on phones that conform to a certain standard, i.e. Android is open source, but the Google Apps have restrictions. Have you tried flashing an entire Gapps package from goo.im...maybe you're also missing some google account stuff that comes along with the Gapps?
You should also remove the IMEI from your post. It's not relevant and can be used by bad people for bad things.

Lets see a pic? Amazing that they would "clone" the phone yet build with the same specs. In my employer's experience, the "clones" of our products are often built by the same people that build them for us, i.e. our products go out the front door, while the extras go out the back...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I took some photos just now and attached them... hopefully they help solve the riddle to what this phone actually is.
One sketchy aspect of this phone is how much storage space it has. It looks like it has 4GB or memory; 1GB is partitioned to use for installing apps which leaves 3GB that has been partitioned as the SDCARD. When I put an actual sdcard in, it shows that I have two sdcards.
EDIT, a little googling shows the MSM8660 is the "S3" variant...odd that it also reports 1.5Ghz which is usually an indicator of the S4, but try heading over the the dev section and see what's listed under [S3]...there isn't much, but some work is being done with a Sensation dev to bring Viper ROM to the S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try that. Good suggestion. I will let you know if I have any luck there.
The Android 4.2.1 report is also odd as even the latest JellyBean based CM10 is only at 4.1.1. China is a freaky place for understanding technology.
As I understand it, the Google Play store is only supposed to work on phones that conform to a certain standard, i.e. Android is open source, but the Google Apps have restrictions. Have you tried flashing an entire Gapps package from goo.im...maybe you're also missing some google account stuff that comes along with the Gapps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah... I think the actual version is 4.0. Not sure how they got the 4.2 unless that have some sort of secret society going on (which they probably do... just not with Google). Notable things that don't work: The Play Store, Voice commands, Face unlock (renders the phone useless when you do this... had to do a factory reset), and CWM Backup... which reminds me... I should take some pictures of CWM.
I have tried flashing Gapps, but it really didn't change anything. Still could not use the Play Store. The only difference I noticed when adding Gapps is that when I would hold the power button, it only showed the options for Power Off or Reboot. Before I added Gapps it also had the option for Airplane mode. I tried modding the ROM a bit but every time I added or left out APKs it made it so that the ROM would not flash (my understanding of modding ROMs is next to nothing).
You should also remove the IMEI from your post. It's not relevant and can be used by bad people for bad things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up. Thought about that as I put it on... Not really sure what the IMEI is, but I no longer have it listed.

Crazy! I wonder if it's actually a Sensation or similar? The little things like the misaligned beatsaudio logo are funny. Looks to me like it's not running Sense, but likely a CM variant (the status icons look right) with some sort of clock app to make it look like Sense (the AOSP Gallery, etc also give it away). BTW, they just added the "dual core" stuff to the build line, so it doesn't mean anything at all...I think the S3 is an overclocked single core?
Don't know much about it, but I've heard of an app called "Market Enabler" that some people need to use in other countries...could just let them download US apps though.

el_smurfo said:
Don't know much about it, but I've heard of an app called "Market Enabler" that some people need to use in other countries...could just let them download US apps though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a good suggestion. I bought a tablet here, and that actually solved a problem for that tablet. Actually; my girlfriend has a tablet and another HTC fake clone. On those, the play stores worked, but didn't show all the apps. The Market Enabler (I think I actually use the Market Unlocker, but have tried both) solves that problem.
The problem with the Play Store on my phone is that it just will not load at all.
I have also tried VPNs thinking that might help solve something, but no VPN will connect on my phone. Seems a bit suspicious because I have an older HTC phone that I brought from America and using all the same VPNs work just fine on that phone.

Here are some more pictures. It shows the ROM I am flashing from the "CWM-Based Recovery."
One other thing I should note. I went to an actual HTC store here to compare this phone with a real HTC One S, and this one looks very close, but is a bit thicker.

I wish we could swap out our battery lol.

PcFish said:
I wish we could swap out our battery lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The real HTC One S does not let you swap out the battery? I guess that is what having a thin phone does for you. I think we can all thank apple for that one.

mckayc said:
The real HTC One S does not let you swap out the battery? I guess that is what having a thin phone does for you. I think we can all thank apple for that one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, on the real one, only a little part comes off the top of the back, maybe 1/3 of the back, to reveal the microsim and no SD slot.

Why don't you buy phones from Meizu or Xiaomi? i guess they are a little bit more expensive but at least you have a very good support from devs community. Buy a clone phone for $150 is kind expensive to me. :good:

tritran18518 said:
Why don't you buy phones from Meizu or Xiaomi? i guess they are a little bit more expensive but at least you have a very good support from devs community. Buy a clone phone for $150 is kind expensive to me. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In retrospect I am sure I would have done quite a few things differently. Didn't know about those other websites, so thanks for putting them up.
Got an new app to help me know some of the hardware on my phone:
CPU Type: Mediatek MT6575 x 1 1 Ghz
Phone Type: JiaYu G2 / Generic MT6575 board / AussiePAD / H928
RAM memory module: 512 Mb DDR (Usable: 473)
GPU Type: PowerVR SGX 531 (single core GPU)

You probably can't connect because your time settings are in correct. Go to date and time. Set it to auto.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy SIII

gordonzhao said:
You probably can't connect because your time settings are in correct. Go to date and time. Set it to auto.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy SIII
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just checked. Date and time is fine. Already set to auto. Play store still not working.

My sister bought a clone of an iPhone and the store never worked. This was because it was nothing more than a phone, some preinstalled games and a dialer. I wouldn't be surprised to find that your phone doesnt even run android, but instead something that looks like android.

ECEXCURSION said:
My sister bought a clone of an iPhone and the store never worked. This was because it was nothing more than a phone, some preinstalled games and a dialer. I wouldn't be surprised to find that your phone doesnt even run android, but instead something that looks like android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can upload and install apk files just fine, so I think it really is Android. There are some Chinese replacement markets that I can use like the Play Store, but I don't really like any of them (nor do I trust any of them).

Interesting photos..
The flash is on the other side of the camera,
The little speaker (or mic?) next to the camera isn't there on the Ville,
The HTC logo is an outy instead of an inny.
The top cover is way larger
Android 4.2.1 ? Really??!
Firmware: eng.andrew.134276301
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^ Do you happen to be S-Off?
-Jobo

touch of jobo said:
Do you happen to be S-Off?
-Jobo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question. I doubt it. For me to get into recovery mode, I have to hold down the Volume up with the power button (I think the real phone is supposed to be volume down).
Once I am in recovery mode I get the following options for reset:
Reboot - (this reboots the phone)
Recovery - (this reboots into recovery)
Fastboot (BootLoader) - (this appears to not work as it just reboots my phone)
I honestly don't know much about S-Off (had to look it up when you wrote). It seems like I can check the status in hboot, but I don't know how to boot my phone to that. I tried volume down and power but that didn't do anything.
Is there another way to check to see if I am in S-Off?
Thanks.
EDIT: I just downloaded a program to boot my phone into the bootloader. Tried it on a real HTC phone and it worked fine. Didn't work on this phone. My suspicion is that there isn't even a bootloader. I think S-Off is an HTC thing... which apparently, a fake HTC is not HTC.

Just found a review of my phone here!
http://www.gizchina.com/2012/06/30/exclusive-htc-knock-review/
Does not say where to get the ROM, but at least I now know I am not the only person in the world with this phone.

Just download the apps u want from 4shared then ?
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium

k1llacanon said:
Just download the apps u want from 4shared then ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean? How can I get the files from 4shared? I just want to know which ROM I can download that would work. Normal ROMs for the HTC One S don't work.

S8+ Software installation problems

I bought an S8+ from online ended up getting incorrect phone. It has following issues with current software
1. Though phone is has 128 GB storage when it is connected its shows as 2.2 GB
2. Not sure what is actual version and model of this.
3. Bixby won't work
4. Navigation settings bar won't work
5. No other settings available
6. Currently it is stocked with T-mobile software and its not getting updates from T-mobile
refer the attached screen shot more details of software and kernel etc
imgur.com/a/72Cmu
(Removed https as new user can't post external links)
Due to the above problems taught of installing new software using Odin as instructions shared in our forums . It has Chinese boot loader and by selection "Wipe/Clear eMMC" its never stays in download mode to install the software. Odin is also not detecting the phone.
Could you please help me installing new OS and solving the above problems ?

sounds you got a knock off version of a s8 plus

Still image is "broken"
Seems to me like a clone

eddiemc12 said:
sounds you got a knock off version of a s8 plus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
t-shock said:
Still image is "broken"
Seems to me like a clone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knock off for sure, T-Mobile doesn't offer a 128Gb model. A knock off of the Hong Kong model?

t-shock said:
Still image is "broken"
Seems to me like a clone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks you.. I tried to post a shared image URL (image sharing service), its not loading here . Could you please share how to post an image

You may need to reinstall the correct ROM, including correct CSC. I had same problem with my 64GB, but showed 8GB.
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

How much did you pay for it ? for image select"more" option.

S8Plus said:
Thanks you.. I tried to post a shared image URL (image sharing service), its not loading here . Could you please share how to post an image
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://imgur.com/upload

S8Plus said:
Thanks you.. I tried to post a shared image URL (image sharing service), its not loading here . Could you please share how to post an image
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you have enough post to upload images. I found them and here they are.
The kernel version and build are kind of sketchy.

Mediatek??? Its a Clone bro
https://www.fastcardtech.com/hdc-space-s8-pro.html
Use the app "phone info samsung"
Enviado desde mi S8+ mediante Tapatalk

S8Plus said:
I bought an S8+ from online ended up getting incorrect phone. It has following issues with current software
1. Though phone is has 128 GB storage when it is connected its shows as 2.2 GB
2. Not sure what is actual version and model of this.
3. Bixby won't work
4. Navigation settings bar won't work
5. No other settings available
6. Currently it is stocked with T-mobile software and its not getting updates from T-mobile
refer the attached screen shot more details of software and kernel etc
imgur.com/a/72Cmu
(Removed https as new user can't post external links)
Due to the above problems taught of installing new software using Odin as instructions shared in our forums . It has Chinese boot loader and by selection "Wipe/Clear eMMC" its never stays in download mode to install the software. Odin is also not detecting the phone.
Could you please help me installing new OS and solving the above problems ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is NOT rpt NOT an OFFICIAL Samsung phone (at least the FW is not)

Yep definitely a knockoff with the Mediatek CPU. Samsung use either Qualcom Snapdragon or Exynos CPU. You won't find a Mediatek CPU in Samsung device...
You've been ripped off, hope you didn't pay too much...

ultramag69 said:
Yep definitely a knockoff with the Mediatek CPU. Samsung use either Qualcom Snapdragon or Exynos CPU. You won't find a Mediatek CPU in Samsung device...
You've been ripped off, hope you didn't pay too much...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you . I am confused by storage total space shows as "128GB" and Phone storage shows as <4GB

They use an app to trick the phone into showing more storage than it has. I had one from Thailand that said 64gb internal storage but after a factory reset the story was VERY different.
It's like the sd cards you can get that are supposedly more than what they really are.
Usually once you exceed the storage limit you loose data or corrupt everything.
You have a novelty toy, nothing more....
I really hope yuou didn't pay $50USD If you paid via Paypal, bite the bullet , put in a for this (and even that seems a bit high for what your showing)as you have been ripped off BIUG time if you paid any more...
If you used Paypal, put in a dispute and send the item back to get your money back. The dispute is the item is a fake. You didn't get what you paid for...

ultramag69 said:
They use an app to trick the phone into showing more storage than it has. I had one from Thailand that said 64gb internal storage but after a factory reset the story was VERY different.
It's like the sd cards you can get that are supposedly more than what they really are.
Usually once you exceed the storage limit you loose data or corrupt everything.
You have a novelty toy, nothing more....
I really hope yuou didn't pay $50USD If you paid via Paypal, bite the bullet , put in a for this (and even that seems a bit high for what your showing)as you have been ripped off BIUG time if you paid any more...
If you used Paypal, put in a dispute and send the item back to get your money back. The dispute is the item is a fake. You didn't get what you paid for...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply .. I paid $350. seems i lost the money . Lesson learned for buying carrier unlocked

S8Plus said:
Thanks for your reply .. I paid $350. seems i lost the money . Lesson learned for buying carrier unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you buy it?

Mr. Orange 645 said:
Where did you buy it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/mob/d/galaxy-t-mobile/6189012325.html

S8Plus said:
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/mob/d/galaxy-t-mobile/6189012325.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a good, safe place to buy an S8+. Samsung had a BOGO so there are some pretty good prices now.
https://swappa.com/
https://swappa.com/buy/samsung-galaxy-s8-plus-tmobile

S8Plus said:
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/mob/d/galaxy-t-mobile/6189012325.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just some.advice, cause that listing looks shady as sh1t...if you're going to buy off Craigslist have the seller meet you at T-Mobile so they can verify its a genuine T-Mo device. If they're not willing to do that, then run, run, run from that listing.

This is low quality fake S8+, you won't able to install Samsung firmware and it will only break it if you do so.
For price of $350, definitely impossible is a real one.

No problem...just a simple question

Recently ordered a “new” (ha, ha) Note Edge (AT&T unlocked, SM-N915A) as a gift. I'm planning on letting it automatically seach for an update over the AT&T servers through Net10.
So...Is this worth doing? Or will the update be buggy and I should just leave it running KitKat?
BTW, the friend is my wife so I would appreciate any advice to keep me from screwing this thing up.
Or, after looking closer at this forum, should I just flash the 5.1 from sammobile and be done with it?

googngrok said:
Recently ordered a “new” (ha, ha) Note Edge (AT&T unlocked, SM-N915A) as a gift. I'm planning on letting it automatically seach for an update over the AT&T servers through Net10.
So...Is this worth doing? Or will the update be buggy and I should just leave it running KitKat?
BTW, the friend is my wife so I would appreciate any advice to keep me from screwing this thing up.
Or, after looking closer at this forum, should I just flash the 5.1 from sammobile and be done with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung's update should be higher than 5.1.
With that said, I would leave it on KitKat.
The phone's hardware was designed to use it and anything above that involves a lot of bloatware, in my experience.

The Radius Kid said:
Samsung's update should be higher than 5.1.
With that said, I would leave it on KitKat.
The phone's hardware was designed to use it and anything above that involves a lot of bloatware, in my experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This being the case, where could I find the Kitkat firmware download? I know there is a thread filled with the firmwares but what is the file name for it?

Dr.Lost said:
This being the case, where could I find the Kitkat firmware download? I know there is a thread filled with the firmwares but what is the file name for it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe in your original post you said the phone was already running KitKat.

complete android noob, looking to flash and root oneplus 6

hey guys,
im looking at buying a Oneplus 6, i started searching the forum on how to flash the phone to a 'global rom' (i think thats what its called) but i cant seem to find a straight forward answer. it could be the terminology but i just want to make the phone work in australia and also root the phone.
when i look up the ROM guides theres a bunch of weird stuff ive never heard before
i come from an iphone background. ever since the iphone came out ive been jailbreaking, it was all pretty straight forward for me and easy. so im not a complete computer illiterate. i think theres something im not understanding with the names of the guides.
i just want to make sure its easy to flash the rom to work in australia and root the phone before i buy it.
do i even need to flash it or does it come ready to use in english??
also do any future updates etc affect the flash and i have to redo it?
i hate asking the newbie questions but i really couldnt find the answer!
thanks in advance

bigray987 said:
hey guys,
im looking at buying a Oneplus 6, i started searching the forum on how to flash the phone to a 'global rom' (i think thats what its called) but i cant seem to find a straight forward answer. it could be the terminology but i just want to make the phone work in australia and also root the phone.
when i look up the ROM guides theres a bunch of weird stuff ive never heard before
i come from an iphone background. ever since the iphone came out ive been jailbreaking, it was all pretty straight forward for me and easy. so im not a complete computer illiterate. i think theres something im not understanding with the names of the guides.
i just want to make sure its easy to flash the rom to work in australia and root the phone before i buy it.
do i even need to flash it or does it come ready to use in english??
also do any future updates etc affect the flash and i have to redo it?
i hate asking the newbie questions but i really couldnt find the answer!
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got my phone from Kogan and works fine in Australia. It is the A60003 version with OOS. i know there is another version A6000 Which has a few less radio bands that I'm pretty sure only USA uses. Also there is a Chinese version with hydrogen OS. Root is easy just follow the guides of flashing twrp and magisk. Unless your thinking of getting the Chinese version that come with hydrogen OS your good to go. Future updates have to reflash twrp and magisk but it's easy to do.
I know a few people in AUS that have the OnePlus 6 from the US website and its the same A6003 version. Where are you thinking of buying the phone?

yldlj said:
I got my phone from Kogan and works fine in Australia. It is the A60003 version with OOS. i know there is another version A6000 Which has a few less radio bands that I'm pretty sure only USA uses. Also there is a Chinese version with hydrogen OS. Root is easy just follow the guides of flashing twrp and magisk. Unless your thinking of getting the Chinese version that come with hydrogen OS your good to go. Future updates have to reflash twrp and magisk but it's easy to do.
I know a few people in AUS that have the OnePlus 6 from the US website and its the same A6003 version. Where are you thinking of buying the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im thinking of buying this one from catch of the day... (edit: cant post links)
if you go to catch of the day you will see a oneplus 6 phone 256gb for $916.90
its 256gb, same price as the 128gb for some reason. but it doesnt mention anything about international flashing like the 128gb does. so im assuming that im getting a stock chinese phone.

bigray987 said:
im thinking of buying this one from catch of the day... (edit: cant post links)
if you go to catch of the day you will see a oneplus 6 phone 256gb for $916.90
its 256gb, same price as the 128gb for some reason. but it doesnt mention anything about international flashing like the 128gb does. so im assuming that im getting a stock chinese phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like the A6000. Just make sure it has all the band's Australia uses. Pretty sure they still come out with OOS which is the international ROM. I see what your saying, some say A6000 and some say I ternational spec. Maybe send them an email? Just make sure you look into it before buying.

yldlj said:
Looks like the A6000. Just make sure it has all the band's Australia uses. Pretty sure they still come out with OOS which is the international ROM. I see what your saying, some say A6000 and some say I ternational spec. Maybe send them an email? Just make sure you look into it before buying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I'll email them now. But the reason I came here is to see if it isn't an international spec, how can I flash it myself? Lol. I'll still email and ask first
Plot twist - started reading that the 6T is coming out at the end of the year. Might be worth waiting for

bigray987 said:
Yeah I'll email them now. But the reason I came here is to see if it isn't an international spec, how can I flash it myself? Lol. I'll still email and ask first
Plot twist - started reading that the 6T is coming out at the end of the year. Might be worth waiting for
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have read yes you can flash from hydrogen OS to oxygen OS but the phones on that website all have Oxygen so there's no need to flash anything.

yldlj said:
From what I have read yes you can flash from hydrogen OS to oxygen OS but the phones on that website all have Oxygen so there's no need to flash anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats something i needed to know. so the name of the OS i want is Oxygen. easier to search now.
theyre much cheaper on ebay. might save up and buy one there instead of a payment plan. hopefully a 10% discount coupon pops up soon.
thanks for the help. ill look up more on rooting when i get the phone.
anything else i should know about the phone? are there a lot of compatible 3rd party apps?

bigray987 said:
thats something i needed to know. so the name of the OS i want is Oxygen. easier to search now.
theyre much cheaper on ebay. might save up and buy one there instead of a payment plan. hopefully a 10% discount coupon pops up soon.
thanks for the help. ill look up more on rooting when i get the phone.
anything else i should know about the phone? are there a lot of compatible 3rd party apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You also want to check what radio band's the phone has. I'm not sure if the hardware is different between the phones. Not really sure what you mean by 3rd party apps? You can download any app with android.

yldlj said:
You also want to check what radio band's the phone has. I'm not sure if the hardware is different between the phones. Not really sure what you mean by 3rd party apps? You can download any app with android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant rooted apps. Do they have the same compatibility as pixel phones or do I need to download them specifically for oneplus

bigray987 said:
I meant rooted apps. Do they have the same compatibility as pixel phones or do I need to download them specifically for oneplus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless the software is specifically designed for a particular device, like a ROM or kernel, rooted apps will work on the OnePlus 6. That covers just about anything you'd likely want to use. So apps you'd find on the Play Store, along with the non-phone specific ones on XDA with root required features or that require root will be as fine on the rooted OP6 as they would be on a Pixel, Nexus, or whatever other rooted device.

Mate 30 Pro and custom ROM's

Hey everyone
I just heard about Huawei been a bit more relaxed about rooting their Mate 30 Pro.
At First I was like that is AWESOME, the idea of been able to use the Mate 30 Pro with pixel experience (my favourite custom Rom) sounds amazing.... best Pixel stock experience on a beast like Mate 30 would be epic.
Then I found a strange taste in my mouth. There would still be some draw backs. Thought I would list some concerns and people could answer some of those concerns.
(Note....each concern/question has a solution or comment I think about the issue.....this is just my view and not to be taken as the only view)
1. Lack of full potential from cameras on the back?
I know some custom ROM camera apps are pretty good l, but to really experience the best from the camera's you would have to have some access to l the Mate 30 Pro stock camera app package to allow.
A thought I had is that Huawei could make a APK that's a bit like Goodlock and this app would allow you to download the stock camera app and other stock apps that people may use on their Huawei devices.
2. LTE and 5G??
I can remember using my Samsung S7E with Pixel Experience but one of the draw backs was that I could get 4G but I didn't get the extra features like LTE, wifi calling, HD call quality ect. If this remained the case then this would be a major draw back to a 2019 flagship device.
Maybe Huawei could needed coding and solutions directly to custom Rom developers....or allow then to be a open source so every ROM devloper had access these features.
3. General Custom ROM glitches and bugs
We are all used to our ROMs having strange behaviours every now and ad gain but do we want these bugs on our £800+ smartphone that we use eveqersryday.
This solution seems obvious Huawei need to work closely with custom Rom developers and helping them Iron these issues out.
4. Some apps dont work on custom Roms no matter what.
Back to my S7e I was able to almost all of the apps on my phone thanks to magisk manager but some apps still had issues. My samsung gear app would pair with my gearfit 2 no matter what. It downloaded but it would not find any devices. I found a fix but that caused my Google to stop working, so had to put it back. This happened with other apps as well.
The only solution I can think of is app developers would have to made aware that mate 30 users could be using rooted devices with Huawei's blessing and ensure there apps work on rooted versions of the phone.
5. Is Warranty still safe.
If Huawei are actually cool with us rooting our P30 Pro then they need to put their money where their mouth is and allow this activity with their manufactures warranty, private insurance companies need to follow suit as well.
Huawei could give us manufactures warranty but with the condition that if possible we have to flash the stock firmware of the device before sending it out.
That's it....that's just s few of my thoughts and possible solutions and would love to hear what you guys think and if you have any worries or questions of your own? Maybe if we make enough noise Huawei will notice us and take our ideas and answer our questions themselves.
(Make it easier....put which number comment your answering to so we all have a better idea what's going on)
Keep it friendly guys remember these are mine and others thoughts.... none of us are implying that these thoughts are right.
By the way... I am a Note 9 user but I am really excited of the potential of Huawei been the ultimate custom ROM brand.

Official Pixel Experience is pretty much nill on Huawei Devices. I see the Honor 10 has
again been dropped.
When the Ban is lifted Huawei will lock the bootloader again no doubt.

they have changed their mind, they will not unlock the BL for the Mate 30.
the only place this device will sell well is China, they are screwed pretty much everywhere else.

I just bought one in shanghai yesterday. Its a very neat and fast phone. especially the 40w charging is cool. you can watch percentages go up...
I asked for the 5G version but i was told its not availbale and should come November. I was wondering though if its already built in and just needs a software patch... like back then when Nvidia was reducing performace on Graphic cards by disabling shaders by firmware...

Surrido said:
I just bought one in shanghai yesterday. Its a very neat and fast phone. especially the 40w charging is cool. you can watch percentages go up...
I asked for the 5G version but i was told its not availbale and should come November. I was wondering though if its already built in and just needs a software patch... like back then when Nvidia was reducing performace on Graphic cards by disabling shaders by firmware...
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Click to collapse
Where you live? I just thinking to get one too but not sure china version it support USA TMobile LTE Network or not

paullu said:
Where you live? I just thinking to get one too but not sure china version it support USA TMobile LTE Network or not
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Click to collapse
I live in Germany. Cant test US Networks until January, so someone else needs to do that

paullu said:
Where you live? I just thinking to get one too but not sure china version it support USA TMobile LTE Network or not
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I would say most likely it works, as the China version covers pretty much all the network.
You could find out the specs from their website and check if the LTE bands covers T-Mobiles. It works on Bell's network though.

paullu said:
Where you live? I just thinking to get one too but not sure china version it support USA TMobile LTE Network or not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in TX, I got Mate 30 Pro from China, and it works with T-mobile showing "4G" icon. The speed test result is like to my old iPhone 6.
By the way, I have 2 sim card, one is China Union (works on AT&T's network) which support VoLTE, the other is T-Mobile which does not.

chenydx said:
I am in TX, I got Mate 30 Pro from China, and it works with T-mobile showing "4G" icon. The speed test result is like to my old iPhone 6.
By the way, I have 2 sim card, one is China Union (works on AT&T's network) which support VoLTE, the other is T-Mobile which does not.
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Thanks for the reply. Also dou you install Google apps? If so can you confirm Google pay , YouTube ,Goole map are working?

paullu said:
Thanks for the reply. Also dou you install Google apps? If so can you confirm Google pay , YouTube ,Goole map are working?
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Play store, Google pay, gmail, map, YouTube, chrome, Android Auto can be installed and have no problem to log in to use. i have been play with my phone for a week, so far the noticable issues are Google pay that does not allow me to pay, and some of app like netflix, United airline, gasbuddy cannot install..

Does Google photos back up and work as normal?

jbreaz said:
Does Google photos back up and work as normal?
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Google photos Works fine for me (backup sync and share)

o012 said:
Google photos Works fine for me (backup sync and share)
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Thank you I think I'm convinced

I was trying to find a thread about the bootloader being unlocked on this phone and couldn't find one. I came across this video on YouTube where this guy turns on his phone and says his phone unlocked. He doesn't say how he did it but I'm thinking someone might want to contact him and ask him how he did it. About 2 minutes in he shows this
https://youtu.be/6a8BkESzAXs

DarkmanXTC said:
I was trying to find a thread about the bootloader being unlocked on this phone and couldn't find one. I came across this video on YouTube where this guy turns on his phone and says his phone unlocked. He doesn't say how he did it but I'm thinking someone might want to contact him and ask him how he did it. About 2 minutes in he shows this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely a review unit like others have had, release software dosnt have OEM unlock option in developers, if something comes of the int. Version we may be able to get rebranding but has yet to be seen

He commented about it being a devkit under the comment by Markus Haier here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5pxYxPSbl_s and said he was going to make a video on it but still nothing.
@o012 Well my P30-Pro (VOG-L09) has OEM unlocking under developer options but haven't tried unlocking.

All works in canada except certain banking apps google backup netflix google pay androis assistant needs to be rebooted everytime. Rest all works fine including google photo backup

Has anyone installed a custom ROM and TWRP to it yet.
Could a Gapps package help the issues? Gapps include all the google services and system setting to keep google stable and updating.
Think Gapps could be installed via the phones built in bootloader??.