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So reading around here about the issues with Chinese versions of Mate 9's and Google Play. I am confused on a few points and thought maybe it would help others, and myself, to have a thread just for the purpose of version clarity. Can someone chime in with a yay or nay to the following:
- My understanding is there are 3 versions; Euro version, International version, and Chinese version.
- Read somewhere around here that the single sim version is Euro.
- Read around here that dual SIM version is International.
- Read around here that 128/6 GB is Chinese.
- With regard to all of the above are they mutually exclusive meaning that, for instance, any 128/6 GB Mate 9 would necessarily be a Chinese version? However, getting a 64/4 GB model might not mean you are avoiding a Chinese variant? If you get dual SIM you are avoiding Chines variant?
- Deducing from what I have read here it seems that any version other than the Chinese version is fine out of the box to work with Google Play.
- Is color in play for versions, all this color a that version or something like that.
I ordered a 128/6 GB White Mate 9 from Oppomart and just trying to see if I need to change to a 64/4 GB or what. Also read around here someone quoted Oppomart as saying they are selling International versions but figured that could change over time (also emailed Oppomart and will share their response when I get it).
*edit*. Adding info that answers my questions so, hopefully, others questions as well. Thanks to all here and elsewhere for the clarity:
The Chinese model is MHA-AL00, and two international models are MHA-L29 and MHA-L09. The MHA-AL00 and the MHA-L29 both support the same bands, basically almost all bands. The MHA-L09 supports all of the bands of the other two models except Band 41 (so bad news for Sprint and China/India if my research is correct). The MHA-L09 is single sim while the MLA-AL00 and MHA-L29 are dual-sim (the hybrid kind so second SIM slot is SD slot). Only the MHA-AL00 now comes in the 128 or 256 and 6 GB variant. Some, not many, MHA-AL00 phones will have the B109SP01 firmware but maybe not many - if it does then you basically got the same thing as an International version in terms of Google Play working (just don't do system update until word here is the Play issue is fixed in the ROM they are pushing out), SIM slots, etc and in future it is likely with unlocked bootloader it could be flashed to become an International version. In short, it seems MHA-AL00 (Chinese) and MHA-L29 (International) are the same hardware phone with the former have the 128/256 and 6 GB option out there and the MLA-L09 is the same but missing the aforementioned band and second SIM slot.
100% you have the Chinese version. There is no MHA-L29 (international) or MHA-L09 in that format...yet...sorry . A lot of these Chinese retailers will lie to fool you into a sale. Only some of them really know their stuff and list it all correctly with the right information/product.
MHA-AL00:
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=device..._9_dual_sim_td-lte_mha-al00__huawei_manhattan
MHA-L09:
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=device&id=10917&c=huawei_mate_9_td-lte_mha-l09__huawei_manhattan
MHA-L29:
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=device...e_9_dual_sim_td-lte_mha-l29__huawei_manhattan
I can't comment on software capabilities of each version in terms of LTE etc (I was pretty damn sure that was always limited to hardware). I've coded BMWs so I know hardware limitations for Europe vs USA, and they are there (most notably in tail lights and headlights - orange vs red, glare free LEDs vs regular LEDs due to DOT regulations).
@duraaraa knows more on development on our Mate 9s though since he has tinkered a bit and helped Chinese Mate 9 owners already in the google play/version thread. The phone is still brand new, so hard to say what's true without real world users actually doing tests in each region on select carriers, etc.
So 128/6 GB is going to be useless Chinese brick without Google Play. Why even ship such a pointless device? Not sure it is worth even trying to find right one somewhere.
Starting to see why not bothering with these Chinese phones is probably smart. Thanks for the info. Just so sick of Samsung and that new Pixel iPhone with bigger bezels are no real choices. Ugh.
Back to looking.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge using XDA Labs
SWBgHz said:
So 128/6 GB is going to be useless Chinese brick without Google Play. Why even ship such a pointless device? Not sure it is worth even trying to find right one somewhere.
Starting to see why not bothering with these Chinese phones is probably smart. Thanks for the info. Just so sick of Samsung and that new Pixel iPhone with bigger bezels are no real choices. Ugh.
Back to looking.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your not alone, Hang in there till there's some better information & legitimate details...
Saw the guy who figured out how to work around and downgrade them, but can't spend that kind of money for a device from a company that would ship a useless brick like that. Really sad to me the so called tech press doesn't lambast a company for doing this kind of stuff. Lapdogs, sadly.
So here is the gist of it:
MHA-AL00:
Useless crap
MHA-L09 & MHA-L29
Usable smartphones
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge using XDA Labs
SWBgHz said:
Saw the guy who figured out how to work around and downgrade them, but can't spend that kind of money for a device from a company that would ship a useless brick like that. Really sad to me the so called tech press doesn't lambast a company for doing this kind of stuff. Lapdogs, sadly.
So here is the gist of it:
MHA-AL00:
Useless crap
MHA-L09 & MHA-L29
Usable smartphones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, they can't really slam them for adhering to the Chinese market. You're buying a Chinese variant with all that entails. That's just how these things work. Huawei can't ship a device with play services in China.
Why don't you buy from a more local shop with better credibility? I assume it's because you are in a location where it hasn't launched (yet).
So, why bringing out a MHA-L09 and a MHA-L29?
I checked the database (thanks opasha) and the difference seems to be the number of bands they support. L09 seems to be a subset off L29.
Any ideas? I'm in the Netherlands and I would have expected the 09 but I received the 029.
Trixanity said:
Well, they can't really slam them for adhering to the Chinese market. You're buying a Chinese variant with all that entails. That's just how these things work. Huawei can't ship a device with play services in China.
Why don't you buy from a more local shop with better credibility? I assume it's because you are in a location where it hasn't launched (yet).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, in US. As for slamming them ... not installing Google Play in understand but no capability for it to run? That is pretty messed up. Got a mi mix and easy to install and use Play store and Google services.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 using XDA Labs
SWBgHz said:
Yes, in US. As for slamming them ... not installing Google Play in understand but no capability for it to run? That is pretty messed up. Got a mi mix and easy to install and use Play store and Google services.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two reasons for not being able to do it: Chinese market banning Google products and to avoid people buying devices cheaper from China - instead buying them locally.
If you have a Mi Mix, why would buy another phone?
The US is very restrictive towards Huawei and particularly the Kirin SoCs and the brand isn't particularly strong in the US, so that's why they're hesitant to launch the Mate 9 or Mate 9 Pro in the US.
Trixanity said:
If you have a Mi Mix, why would buy another phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-mix/help/mi-mix-google-voice-issue-t3506686/page1
That is why I got rid of the Mi Mix, everything worked great but Google Voice could not make calls and my home area was problematic with the limited bands.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 using XDA Labs
So I found a guy on eBay (yes, I know - but I do fine in eBay and know how to use the protections it affords) that has Chinese version with the B109SP01 firmware that will run Google Play services. This solves the issues, right? It is dual SIM and 128/6 GB (has other sizes too) so question is will this work or just not worth bothering with it?
Oops, yes I know - should have edited previous post instead of adding another.
Adding info that answers my questions so, hopefully, others questions as well. Thanks to all here and elsewhere for the clarity:
The Chinese model is MHA-AL00, and two international models are MHA-L29 and MHA-L09. The MHA-AL00 and the MHA-L29 both support the same bands, basically almost all bands. The MHA-L09 supports all of the bands of the other two models except Band 41 (so bad news for Sprint and China/India if my research is correct). The MHA-L09 is single sim while the MLA-AL00 and MHA-L29 are dual-sim (the hybrid kind so second SIM slot is SD slot). Only the MHA-AL00 now comes in the 128 or 256 and 6 GB variant. Some, not many, MHA-AL00 phones will have the B109SP01 firmware but maybe not many - if it does then you basically got the same thing as an International version in terms of Google Play working (just don't do system update until word here is the Play issue is fixed in the ROM they are pushing out), SIM slots, etc and in future it is likely with unlocked bootloader it could be flashed to become an International version. In short, it seems MHA-AL00 (Chinese) and MHA-L29 (International) are the same hardware phone with the former have the 128/256 and 6 GB option out there and the MLA-L09 is the same but missing the aforementioned band and second SIM slot.
Will edit original post with this info too so easy for anyone to see. Thanks all.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 using XDA Labs
I just received the MHA-L00 Mate 9 couple of days ago and I was able to install google play without any issues after installing GMSinstaller from Huawei app, I received a firmware OTA as soon as I connected to my wifi B165SP01 which has been working fine. I will keep you posted once I do more tests on it and using it on a daily basis.
I have the international L29 with B158 and 64gb. Dual.
Runs exactely like any other phone vis-a-vis Google / Facebook / Whatsapp
kolembo said:
I have the international L29 with B158 and 64gb. Dual.
Runs exactely like any other phone vis-a-vis Google / Facebook / Whatsapp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get B158? Regular OTA or some kind of black magic? Mine is still on B126 with nothing to update...
Is that really B158, or B138?
received OTA B167 update on my MHA-AL00 working fine using T-mobile, google apps installed using GSM from HiApp. Only annoying thing is not able to use stock audio controls (Everything is in chinese) and notification bugs considering to rebrand to international verison whenever I have time
I ordered the Mate 9 from a local supplier (Switzerland) 6 months ago. They sent me the MHA-AL00 which - intriguingly - already had Google Play installed. There was no sign of the phone having been set up before to allow the supplier to install Google Play.... Anyway, everything worked as expected and they only thing I noticed that a few obscure menus were in Chinese as well as some text on the lock screen. Last month I broke the screen and since I liked the phone so much (the battery life is a-ma-zing!) I ordered a new one. This time they sent me the MHA-L29 and the only difference I noted is that all the traces to Chinese were gone. Other than that the phones look, feel and act exactly the same. If you figure out how to tweek the very aggressive power management features, this phone is easy to love.
Alright guys I know I am late to the party but I am considering buying a chinese version with 128GB and 6GBRAM from Ebay. My only question is, now that the phone has been out for a while, is it possible to unlock the bootloader and install the international ROM on the chinese 128/6 mate 9?
Or is it safer to stick with the 64GB/4GB RAM MHA-L29?
Btw I am from Australia
i have the international version, mha-l29c185...works great with google installed...also they do have google play store and all the apps on huawei app market...i seen the 128gb mate 9 6gb ram runing play store in videos....not sure whats all the if are about...can easily install a rom with google in it...
s8plususer said:
Alright guys I know I am late to the party but I am considering buying a chinese version with 128GB and 6GBRAM from Ebay. My only question is, now that the phone has been out for a while, is it possible to unlock the bootloader and install the international ROM on the chinese 128/6 mate 9?
Or is it safer to stick with the 64GB/4GB RAM MHA-L29?
Btw I am from Australia
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. It is possible. Even it will detect that you have 6 / 128 specs on world ROM.
Maximum you will have some troubles with unlock bootloader. In strange cases Chinese models get wrong unlock code via official way. Also, you have to register Huawei account and use phone with it in 14 days to approve your legitimate reason to unlock.
My friend was in hong kong and he bought the mate 9, i read about someone who updated his phone (6GB ram) and after the update Google Play was gone, how true is it?
Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk
I believe you have to install an apk for Google services like most other Chinese phones. Simple stuff. I don't think Google is suppose to be installed in china by law.
Best thing to do is rebrand to a firmware with Google stuff baked in.
I'm using Chinese AL00 6/128 version. Since the start I installed the GSM (actually mine was pre-installed from the shop) and installed all the necessary Google app. I've updated 3 firmware so far, never had issues with Google app afterward.
Hi everyone. I read few post about the EML-AL00 (chinese version). It is right now available for the same price than the international version on Amazon US (L29). But the chinese version comes with 6GB of RAM instead of 4.
I would like to get this phone for my wife but I need to know what will work and what will not.
- T-Mobile 4G
- T-Mobile LTE
- Google Pay
- Android Auto
- Wifi Calling
- VOLTE
- ...
How about updates with that version ?
Basically, as I am not a nerd, I don't want to to rebranded the phone or anything like that, but I do think than 6GB makes a lot of difference in term of fluidity. I know the P20pro could be the the one to go but it's still pricey and the form factor is not the same. THe P20 seems to have a perfect size.
Is your advise is to forget about the Chinese version because it will be a painful experience to use in the US and go with the L29 instead ?
Thanks already!
Hi!
You will have 4G, calling, and all of this, but chinise versions dont have Google Play Services, but you can get Play Store from inthernet, by searching with default browser.
News system will be in Chinise, all of this things will be in Chinise country, nothing for European peoples.
Sorry for my english, i think you understand what i tell you. ?
Hi,
I have the EML-AL00 (Chinese) model and was using it in Australia.
As I'm not in the US, I can't speak for T-Mobile usability. Judging by the network bands it has with T-Mobile, it has bands 2, 4, 5 and 12, but missing bands 66 and 71, so in theory it might work. But I can't guarantee anything here.
However, the device does come with Google Play Services preinstalled, the Google Play Store itself is the only thing missing for some reason. So you just have to install the Play Store apk and you'll be good to go in this regard. The device is Google Play Certified, so Android Auto, Google Pay all work normally. VoLTE was working for me in Australia as well.
Unfortunately, since it's the Chinese version, there are a few restrictions compared to the international variant, such as inability to change the launcher and uninstallable Chinese bloatware . But upside is that it is the first variant to receive software updates; it is currently on stable Android 10 .
I hope this helped you!
dkinc2003 said:
Hi,
I have the EML-AL00 (Chinese) model and was using it in Australia.
As I'm not in the US, I can't speak for T-Mobile usability. Judging by the network bands it has with T-Mobile, it has bands 2, 4, 5 and 12, but missing bands 66 and 71, so in theory it might work. But I can't guarantee anything here.
However, the device does come with Google Play Services preinstalled, the Google Play Store itself is the only thing missing for some reason. So you just have to install the Play Store apk and you'll be good to go in this regard. The device is Google Play Certified, so Android Auto, Google Pay all work normally. VoLTE was working for me in Australia as well.
Unfortunately, since it's the Chinese version, there are a few restrictions compared to the international variant, such as inability to change the launcher and uninstallable Chinese bloatware . But upside is that it is the first variant to receive software updates; it is currently on stable Android 10 .
I hope this helped you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello there, my friend has the same EML-AL00 device, is it possible to install global ROM to this? it has android 10 emui 10 Chinese ROM for now
Hey,
I want to buy OP7, but from Gearbest which is selling "International" version. Its China with Oxygen flashed. Now my questions are:
1. Has this phone unlocked bootloader?
2. Will the Google Pay work? Do I need to flash Magisk and hide it to have working payments? Or they wont work at all? Or maybe International version has blocked BL?
Thanks for answers, I know that Global version with magisk/root has working payments, but dunno how it is with China version.
2. I use the stock global ROM on my red chinese OnePlus 7 and Google Pay works without any issue.
I like that the NFC seems positioned at the top of the phone (like iPhones or latest Pixels) so it's easier to use when tapping and paying.
Hi all,
I am going to buy a new Mate 20 X.
Apart from the used ones, the only brand new I can find are on Aliexpress, like this one
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32970338476.html
There is the option of adding the global Rom as they say
"
if you need global firmware, please order the bundle" add global firmware". then we will install global firmware EVR-L29 to the phone
"
Will this mean that i'll have the AL00 as it was a L29?
Will OTA updates work out of the box?
Will I have problems with bank apps for example?
The rebrand to L29 is something I could do home with the help of XDA community ?
Thanks all
I was able to find a new L29 in the UK from a established vendor recently, but it wasn't cheap. I previously owned a AL00 for a couple of weeks, as it was sold to me in error (a Chinese version sold as global). When I owned that I did find a few independent phone shops online that would change the firmware remotely. So that's probably still an option. All found through Google.
Nothing is guaranteed of course but I would expect that most things on the phone would work ok, if you get it from your AliExpress vendor. But who knows. That's why I paid more, from a known vendor, with a proper guarantee. You pay your money and make your choice
Simply buy the Chinese version, that's by far the best option!
Definitely do NOT pay that extra money for changing AL00 to L29! It will NOT make it a proper L29, they just load a firmware which says L29... and you get absolutely NO benefits (actually, you may get just issues with updates, etc.)
With the Chinese version you get some advantages like enabled call recording, earlier and more frequent updates of built-in apps, or the Harmony OS upgrade.
The Chinese version works absolutely normal, all languages are available, etc.
I found a seller that showed me a EVR-L29 but imported from CHina (in fact the Huawei warranty is for HK and China only).
Since L29 global version is the same everywhere...This one should work ok, I guess, right?
The label on the package says L29 and they said they've just put the firmware with other languages (I didn't get this part, but maybe the one I was talking to isn't a specialist)
As I said, Chinese version simply WORKS without any problems. Plus, has even some advantages.
Absolutely no reason hunting for global version.
EvzenP said:
As I said, Chinese version simply WORKS without any problems. Plus, has even some advantages.
Absolutely no reason hunting for global version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What advantages? I heard EVR-L29 is the one to get because you have access to google play store
All versions of Mate 20 X have Google Services... they always had.
Mate 20 X was released BEFORE the sanctions, i.e. Mate 20 X never had any problem with GMS whatsoever.
I own the EVR-L29 global version, which I imported from Singapore a few years ago. I love the phone and have been looking for a second one for my wife. I have some questions about buying the Chinese version rather than the global version. With previous Chinese version phones from Oppo and Vivo, although they came with the Google Framework and Google Play Services, there were some differences between them and the global versions I couldn't get used to. For example, I could use the Google Assistant by tapping its icon, but the phones wouldn't respond to voice activation "OK Google", because that conflicted with their own baked in Chinese voice assistant app. Android Auto wouldn't work, because it conflicted with their built in app, and there were several Chinese apps I couldn't uninstall and some Chinese text in submenus. Is this the case with the Chinese version of the Mate 20 X? The Chinese version has the advantage of more RAM and storage than the global version, and like the post above, I'm tempted to have one of the AliExpress vendors flash the global ROM on the Chinese version, but I have a concern updates won't work, as the Huawei servers will know it is a Chinese version. Thanks for any advice.
I have the EVR-L00 and I need to downgrade to Android 9 so I can unlock the bootloader. How do I do that? I got the special Harmony cable that I needed. Now I'm not sure what to do next.