[Completed] Recommend Dual-Sim, Stock(-ish) Android Phone, 200$ - XDA Assist

Gents,
Will be travelling lots for my job in the next few years. Would like to get a dual-sim phone. Current phone is a Nexus 5X, which I do love, and that I got precisely because of stock Android - just about every single one of the Asian skins is complete anathema to me.
Budget is around 200 U.S., though could be convinced to spend a bit more if there's a sizeable gain to be had. Priorities : processing power, stability.
I ask here because I'm pretty sure I'll have to delve into the custom ROM scene, which I'm totally not afraid to do (I've flashed a fair number of ROMs before), but I'm afraid I might be forgetting a phone that has high community support. I know the obvious choice is OnePlus, but the 3/3T is way out of my budget.
My best options, I think, are either Redmi Note 3 or Mi5. Potentially a OnePlus 2, but those are a bit higher-priced. Any others you can think of, that are powerful and well-supported?
Cheers!

SilverJS said:
Gents,
Will be travelling lots for my job in the next few years. Would like to get a dual-sim phone. Current phone is a Nexus 5X, which I do love, and that I got precisely because of stock Android - just about every single one of the Asian skins is complete anathema to me.
Budget is around 200 U.S., though could be convinced to spend a bit more if there's a sizeable gain to be had. Priorities : processing power, stability.
I ask here because I'm pretty sure I'll have to delve into the custom ROM scene, which I'm totally not afraid to do (I've flashed a fair number of ROMs before), but I'm afraid I might be forgetting a phone that has high community support. I know the obvious choice is OnePlus, but the 3/3T is way out of my budget.
My best options, I think, are either Redmi Note 3 or Mi5. Potentially a OnePlus 2, but those are a bit higher-priced. Any others you can think of, that are powerful and well-supported?
Cheers!
Click to expand...
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Hello,
Please post your query here Device suggestion thread with all relevant details, the experts there maybe able to assist you.
Regards
Vatsal,
Forum Moderator.

Will do, thanks.

Related

[Q] Android phone for devlopement

Hi,
I am at point where I would be buying a new mobile phone. I don't have budget problem, but I am looking from the point where I'll be able to use my phone as development device.
I have shortlisted some options:
Nexus S: This seems to me an idle device for development. It also has NFC. You have early access to the android flavors. But with dual core processor phone in the market, I not sure if this a good choice.
Samsung Galaxy s 2: The phone is expensive, but has many feature(except for NFC ). Do you think this can be a good device considering future versions of android might be out by November-December(speculating)
Wait for another device: Wait for a device. But then everything can't be obtained in a single device. How long will I wait?
HTC Sensation: Not much info about it.
Any other device
I seem to prefer device with NFC and dual core(may be because it a future ready).
Really confused. Just looking for a device that can be used for development on current and future flavors of Android.
Also I have read about rooting a device. Not sure if this is a proper question, but if someone roots a device can the person explore the full capabilities of the device(provided the rooting is proper).
I prefer not to wait for another device and I am confused between Nexus S and Galaxy S 2.
Please give you opinion about my choice or some other device that I should consider.
Thanks
Prerak Desai
if you need a phone for development, first choose your target audience.
i dont think a vast majority of the people will be upgrading too soon to dual core...
now if u wanna push boundaries with your programming, go ahead with the latest...
but its good to have a phone that a greater percentage of the people have...
also, do consider the major portion of people are on android 2.2 and 2.1 (more than 85% as on google site)...
think from a developer pov, not a user...
Thanks HyprGeek for the reply. Seems to give me a point or two to think about.
But don't you think if I buy what majority are buying today, then in about a month time something new will come up and the crowd will start moving towards it. Then i'll be stuck with old device.
I personally feel you need have something(especially electronics device) that arefuture ready so that you don't regret your decision in a short time.
What do you think from a general point of view, which device I should consider?
Thanks,
Prerak Desai
well, u need to detemine how big the "crowd" is...
http://developer.android.com/resources/dashboard/platform-versions.html
and i dont think computers/mobiles can ever be future ready...

[Completed] Looking for a backup phone

Hey guys,
I've been looking for a cheap backup phone. My current carrier is T-mobile prepaid.
I'm looking for a phone w/ LTE capabilities, Android or windows 8.1, and must be cheap! I'd say my budget is around 120-130 USD max. I prefer a new handset please (warranty purposes). Any reputable seller is fine.
Some phones I found:
Samsung Galaxy Light
LG F3
LG F6
Nokia Lumia 635
What would you guys recommend?
The question you're asking is complicated. As there are many variables in choosing a device, because every user is slightly different in their needs. The one suggestion I can definitely make is, choose a phone with a good ( strong ) support. It avoids a lot of the pitfalls, and issues related to owning a device. Especially if you plan on Rooting, or Modding the device. Because if an issue arises it is easier to find / get help. As for where to purchase a device I would suggest checking out the link below.
Swappa Buy and sell gently used mobile phones and tablets safely
prboy1969 said:
The question you're asking is complicated. As there are many variables in choosing a device, because every user is slightly different in their needs. The one suggestion I can definitely make is, choose a phone with a good ( strong ) support. It avoids a lot of the pitfalls, and issues related to owning a device. Especially if you plan on Rooting, or Modding the device. Because if an issue arises it is easier to find / get help. As for where to purchase a device I would suggest checking out the link below.
Swappa Buy and sell gently used mobile phones and tablets safely
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well from what I'm seeing, there aren't that many phones to choose from in the first place. All I really want is the best overall phone. I don't really care much for rooting and whatnot as this is just a backup phone. The main feature I want is LTE while being cheap. I will mostly use the web browser and watch videos on the go. Nothing too major.
Again, it's a tough task to suggest a specific device. Because as I stated there are many variables. I would suggest making a list of your wants, and needs. Then look for a device with as stated before, good support. Best of luck .

choose a new "secure" phone

Hello everybody. This is my very first post and I've been on xda for something like 30 min. Therefore if the post is inappropriate delete or move it. Thanx.
Now why ask here? Well, I'm sort of developer and sys admin and I've learnt that best answers come from tech people, so here I am!
As first let start with a broad question.
I'm coming from a moto g first gen. My phone expected life is 2 years according to previous phones I've owned.
What am I searching? Well I'm focusing on a bit of security in software. For those who know linux I'm the kind of guy who uses centos on servers, ubuntu LTS or debian stable on vms or desktop, I'm not in search for the latest and greatest but proper patch level adherence in android.
I don't really bother about void warranty. Lets face it: in my country (italy) consumers devices have no SLA nor you can expect anything from repair shops, so in case of damage I still need to buy a second phone for temporary patch.
I'm asking you: what alternatives are here to nexus? I've red that sony seems good at following patch levels. Cyanogen (in case I'll buy and root a phone) seems to release stables now and then without strict montly patches. What about other roms?
In the end which are the alternatives to nexus (both stock or aftermarket) for a proper security patch coverage? I'm I "cursed" to buy a nexus or may I pick from supported devices of any of existent roms?
to narrow specs: I'm searching for something in the range € 200-250, between 4.7'' and 5.2'', 16-32 GB disk, 2+ GB ram, decent camera, wifi N (2.4 is ok, never used 5 ghz), basically don't care so much about other specs, just get good battery runtime.
Thank you,
M
PS: Potential buy is Nexus 5X (supported by google for next 2 years, and available around € 230 on some italian on line shops) but battery runtimes are not so good
Welcome to XDA!
Gee, I didn't realize it, but there are (at least) two of these well established topics (and stickied) going on now:
One is right above yours, for general discussion
The other is in the Q&A sister subforum, more tailored for asks
Since your thread is geared more for asking which to buy, I would go for the latter.
Good luck, and hope this helps.
To help promote the use of the above threads, I will be closing this one now.

Is this phone dead?

Hi, I know this things about dont ask about eta of new updates, etc. But I have a simple question. Does this device have active community? I see some roms, etc.. (still unusable becouse of softreboots caused by high-gps accuracy), but is there still something in development or is this device dead in this way?
I suppose at some point we'll get at the very least a custom Oreo, however seeing how custom Nougat is still not bugfree, I'd say it's pretty dead at this point.
Plus, for a couple months now there's been too much silence in this forum, which probably animated many people to jump ship.
Really sad to see since the hardware is so good even to this day considering the price. But softwarewise it's worse than anything I've experienced so far. Probably in large amounts thanks to Huawei,just to make that clear
I'm sure the devs around here did their best and I'm thankful there's at least a considerable amount of roms tp choose from.
The great job XDA is doing to advertise for Huawei is also a little annoying at times. I don't know much about software but whatever that "partnership" with Huawei did, it didn't do much for the consumer.
That's it for my rant, had to get it out No more Huawei!
Sent from my HUAWEI FRD-L09 using XDA Labs
The partnership has been good just for XDA itself. For user hasn't changed anything. Don't know if they released or not the source code of the device but if they did is strange that the actual existing rom have important issues. Btw i'm really greatful for developers who attempt to make a good rom for our device, but i prefer staying on stock and hoping for official Android Oreo. If this day won't come, i'll simply take in consideration the bad support from huawei/honor and the almost inexistent community here on xda when buying my next device.
P.s I'll tell this again. I'm very greatful to all the developers who attempt to give us good roms, this is just my tought and i don't meant to denigrate work of other people. Hope you understand
From what I read around the forum, they did release the source code, but partially. You can almost surely rule out development, as hard as they might try, the devs arent going to save a device with a dwindling number of users, especially when it seems that the company itself has abandoned the device. I just hope they are kind enough to just make good on their promise and provide Oreo. Its been less than an year that this device has been available in my country, it would be a shame to see a phone with hardware as good as this not supported less than an year after its launch.
Debopam.exe said:
From what I read around the forum, they did release the source code, but partially. You can almost surely rule out development, as hard as they might try, the devs arent going to save a device with a dwindling number of users, especially when it seems that the company itself has abandoned the device. I just hope they are kind enough to just make good on their promise and provide Oreo. Its been less than an year that this device has been available in my country, it would be a shame to see a phone with hardware as good as this not supported less than an year after its launch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree with you there. I just bought the honor 8 for the third time and this time I bought the 64g as I had planned on the honor 8 being my new long term device so yes honor better follow through with their promise to keep this phone updated or I just wanted my money and they will loose me as a heavy supporter of their brands. I'm a huge fan but if they aren't going to update their current honor flagship phone nor release anymore new models to take it's place in the US then what's the point of me remaining loyal to them.

[PARTNERSHIP] Doogee and XDA

Hi, I would first like to share that I'm a moderator on Doogee forums and am also a Doogee owner. I have a direct contact with the admin on Doogee which he has access directly to all Doogee department.
I have talked about the software issues arising and the development of it with the admin and feedback from members there, and it seems that we need help in improving the software side. The admin has approved my plan and I am speaking here in behalf of Doogee.
All we ask is help from experienced developers and programmers here to develop and help improve the software of all supported Doogee models. We need to know what we need to provide and what you will need in order for this to be possible. Please bear with me here, this is a big chance for XDA to be known better.
Doogee, for your information, has a very high potential to compete with popular brands like Vivo, Oppo, and even Samsung. Can you find a phone worth $300-$400 that has an insanely 8GB RAM of hardware? No. Their phones are powerful and yet the price is reasonable since the parts they use are direct and in return they can make it at a goid price unlike overpriced brands.
Please help us out here, just let us know with what resources are needed to make it possible. I will make sure that XDA will have its name on to the partnership with Doogee.
Thank you for your time!
Heinrich,
Doogee Moderator
We're calling out skilled and experienced devs out there
Let me clarify that we will be working on the official ROMs, not custom ones
Custom ones can be added later on.
Bump!
Please let me clarify that we are not only the one who will benefit here, but XDA as well. We will make sure to have your names as a credit and the XDA forum as well.
If someone here is interested, please leave a reply here. We just need to know what we will need to provide and help needed so we can get started on developing the software. There's quite a couple of things needed to improve Doogee's software here, thanks for your consideration.
One of the biggest things is kernel source code. Without it you will be hard pressed to improve anything. Next would be access to the code for the OS.
I can't say I have ever heard of the device as they are not sold in my country.
Their rugged devices are probably what they are best known for; they have devices sold / targeted in/at the US via mail order. It seems someone from alaska would probably be interested in them. The s80 and s90 models include a UHF radio / 'walkie talkie' feature.
travisn000 said:
Their rugged devices are probably what they are best known for; they have devices sold / targeted in/at the US via mail order. It seems someone from alaska would probably be interested in them. The s80 and s90 models include a UHF radio / 'walkie talkie' feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They survive up here as much as any other. The walkie talkie feature is useless really. The distance between people is too great for this most of the time. Also it doesnt help that most OEM hardware (this one too) has a built in kill switch when the device hardware drops to 32 degrees or less. This will shut a phone down. Also in lot of places where you need a rugged phone, you really dont even get gps let alone a cell phone signal. Like one of my jobs puts me out in no cell phone or gps signal range for weeks on end. No phone (even a sat phone) does me any good out there. So we have gotten to the point of not even carrying one when we go out to places like that. Other then that. The only real things needed are an IPS rating. Anything else is just icing on the cake.
I'm glad to see xda and doogee working together.
As the title states I am glad to see xda and doogee working together it gives me some piece of mind as far as future support and updates go. From some of the posts read some people are not familiar with doogee simply explained they are a Chinese cell phone maker that make Android phones and recently are more well known for there line of rugged phones. First let me state that this is my first rugged grade phone I've owned also it's been my second phone from China if you count the tmobile revl plus/ yulong phone. For years I've looked at different rugged phones with with little to no interest they usually were overpriced and underpowered until I found out about the doogee line of rugged phones. After looking at there line of phones and the competition I decided to go with the doogee s70 lite for the cost performance and making a educated guess that it might possibly sell more then other rugged models. I also went with doogee because I like the idea of modular phones like the s90 have yet to see a company have much success with the concept I owned a moto z2 and the only add on I considered buying was the battery add on. Back to my point. I'm glad to see xda and doogee working together since day one of buying my s70 lite I've worried about support and updates and figured I'd eventually have to go the custom rom route or look towards third party updates. Anyway so far with my s70 lite I have not noticed any major bugs to mention or bring up so far I am quite pleased with how Stable things run. I am really impressed with the hello p23 chipset on how well it runs apps and how little power it consumes and how cool it runs on temperature I've ran qualcom soc phones for years and the few mtk chips I have ran seemed a bit laggy and unstable i must say mediatek really upped there game with the hello chipsets and would recomend one for multiple reasons. My only gripe with the s70 lite is how long it's been since it's had a security update release but overall i would recommend a doogee rugged s series phone to anyone that is tough on there phones at work. Only other thing that is a minor inconvienence is the recovery is in Chinese conji which I can't read a English translated recovery would be nice or a third party twrp/clockworkmod port for the s70 lite or the s series in general would be nice I have considered trying to do a port of twrp recovery for my s70 lite but due to being busy at work and little experience dealing with mtk chipsets I have not attempted it yet. Love my s70 I really hope doogee sticks around for a while. Would recommend there s series phones to anyone working in a industrial/blue collar field of work I work as a automotive technician and average breaking my phone every 2 months. Has been a month now with my s70 lite not a scratch on the screen and I've done some durability tests. Who wouldn't want a phone you can shower with lol. I've even considered trying to promote and spread the word about there s series phones so if doogee wants to send me some phone pamphlets I'd be more then happy to hand them out to my coworkers and others that work in my field. Also anyone reading this if you buy one try to order it direct from doogee I did not have the option when I bought mine I ordered mine off dx.com and I recommend getting the express shipping.
Without the kernel source code: no.
However, provide us with API documentation for the optional attachments, firmware source code, local OTA server config, kernel source code, the original build compile folder, and anything else that could be used to develop the phone, (repair manuals, etc) FOR FREE... then maybe we'll be more open to developing the phone for you.
Sorry if this is a bit harsh sounding, you guys make great phones
TheDarkLord098 said:
Hi, I would first like to share that I'm a moderator on Doogee forums and am also a Doogee owner. I have a direct contact with the admin on Doogee which he has access directly to all Doogee department.
I have talked about the software issues arising and the development of it with the admin and feedback from members there, and it seems that we need help in improving the software side. The admin has approved my plan and I am speaking here in behalf of Doogee.
All we ask is help from experienced developers and programmers here to develop and help improve the software of all supported Doogee models. We need to know what we need to provide and what you will need in order for this to be possible. Please bear with me here, this is a big chance for XDA to be known better.
Doogee, for your information, has a very high potential to compete with popular brands like Vivo, Oppo, and even Samsung. Can you find a phone worth $300-$400 that has an insanely 8GB RAM of hardware? No. Their phones are powerful and yet the price is reasonable since the parts they use are direct and in return they can make it at a goid price unlike overpriced brands.
Please help us out here, just let us know with what resources are needed to make it possible. I will make sure that XDA will have its name on to the partnership with Doogee.
Thank you for your time!
Heinrich,
Doogee Moderator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi my name is Jose, I was owner of DOOGEE MIX i ask too much time for kernel source and u didn't provide to me. Without kernel source we can't do nothing, for example a good custom kernel overclocked a custom rom. I think a good idea will be update the phone to a newer version. But pls give to devs like me kernel source and we will can help u to get a good stock rom.
jmpf_bmx said:
Hi my name is Jose, I was owner of DOOGEE MIX i ask too much time for kernel source and u didn't provide to me. Without kernel source we can't do nothing, for example a good custom kernel overclocked a custom rom. I think a good idea will be update the phone to a newer version. But pls give to devs like me kernel source and we will can help u to get a good stock rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for your interest. Unfortunately, I myself can't even get my hands on it, I have talked to the software department yet they are not handing it out, they believe it is for security reasons.
Is the S90 getting a Pie update?
seanybiker said:
Is the S90 getting a Pie update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure though, I have switched to Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro.
TheDarkLord098 said:
Hi, thanks for your interest. Unfortunately, I myself can't even get my hands on it, I have talked to the software department yet they are not handing it out, they believe it is for security reasons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you make that DOOGEE release their kernel sources, the developers i think that will work on mediatek devices and they will help on stock and making customs roms.
So please, try to make DOOGEE release the kernel sources.
jmpf_bmx said:
If you make that DOOGEE release their kernel sources, the developers i think that will work on mediatek devices and they will help on stock and making customs roms.
So please, try to make DOOGEE release the kernel sources.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, unfortunately I am not even getting any replies from the admins. I believe they really have no plan in releasing kernel for their "security reasons" which is stupid.
TheDarkLord098 said:
Hi, unfortunately I am not even getting any replies from the admins. I believe they really have no plan in releasing kernel for their "security reasons" which is stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread is about as disappointing and sad as I imagined it would be ... Rugged phones are soon-to-be trending I believe as well.
TheDarkLord098 said:
Hi, unfortunately I am not even getting any replies from the admins. I believe they really have no plan in releasing kernel for their "security reasons" which is stupid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah this is stupid as hell. I still remember doogee phones ard 1-2 year back were preinstalled with malware(this can be found online). I suspect they might as well have put some weird **** inside the kernel source so they don't want to release the source code.
The thing is that they don't make kernel source and software by themselves, it is made by HCT, so they just do the hardware. So if they pay to HCT, they will can release kernel source, since HCT will gave it to them.
Thanks
Regards
Jose
I know this is an old thread, does anyone know if the kernel source is custom by HTC, and should we be contacting HTC to release the kernel source code?
I have a DooGee S95 Pro and it's a decent phone between the S95 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G is a great phone. Whichever phone gets LOS first I will use. The S95 Pro has been out a lot longer and isn't a bad phone considering the newer ones from DooGee are not as nice. Anyhow either that or I will switch over and buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G if LOS gets there. Both fronts are interesting. If I can get the GSI working without issues on the S95 Pro I will just use the S95 Pro but otherwise if not, I will have to sell it and switch brands.
I mean what's with DooGee and other manufacturers other than Samsung and Apple making a good phone and then the new models come out without some of the features I like. The new DooGee phone just has most of what the S95 Pro has, removed take the S97 Pro for example it's maybe a better phone, but the screen is still LCD not AMOLED and not 120Hz or anything. It's a rugged phone and I like that but I can't really use it because it's on Android 9 and not updated at all also no LOS on it which totally sucks. Why give a phone to a dev and have the dev port over LOS for the phones it would probably cost less than having HTC supply source anyway.
My two cents worth here. I don't have any android devs on staff that can do this kind of work anyway which sucks otherwise I would have it done.
Thanks

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