Hello everyone!
First of all sorry for my bad English. I represent smartphones distributor from Kiev, Ukraine. We have contacted with GooApple sales director and have got GooApple V5 sample phone for tests before bulk orders.
All I can say: it's just not ready for international market at the moment and unfortunately they are not very much interested in positive firmware or hardware changes.
They have made firmware ios_11.12.08 for our last recall but non of our issues have been resolved + one added: it doesn't react on first home button push after lock screen, it only shows unlock screen after the second home button push or fast twice push.
Here is our issues list:
Phone's battery draining, runs out too fast!!! After full charge it runs out 75% battery life for 4 hours of usage: 1 call during 5 min., video watch during 8 min., music during 6 min, looking thought photos during 5 min., taking 3 pictures with the camera. 1,5 hour is just for walkthrough over the interface, settings, lock/unlock. 3,5 min. video takes about 5-6% of battery life. And it's without any gaming, internet surfing, making videos. Other time it's just holding.
Screen has some lightness flickering. Backlight blinking, flashing a little bit from the sides and left top corner.
Connect button (in putting Wi-Fi password mode) doesn't work. Just can't connect to any locked Wi-Fi network.
Bad Wi-Fi catch signal even with a close to phone router.
Doesn't remember icons location on springboard bar after moving around and reboot the phone.
Showing the last called phone number in background when sending USSD commands (checking balance or any anything else).
The input keyboard should be the same as iOS with working English and Russian (now it doesn't work) and customization ability in the General folder in Settings.
Booting animation should be the same as iOS with Apple logo only.
Creating folders (put in and put out icons) and moving icons around doesn't work properly.
The font in Calendar, Time, Dial is not the same as iOS.
The sim card pin code enter should be the same as iOS.
How to delete apps like Call Log, PowerOff... chinese QQ and others?
Reminders, Maps, Weather Stocks iReader apps should be in English.
Browser app should be renamed to Safari.
Gallery app should be renamed to Photos.
Phone key at dialpad should be renamed to Keypad.
Must speed up fake iOS usage response, performance.
Must speed up screen rotation/orientation response.
Must replace red ! (exclamation) to the Sending progress bar when sending messages/SMS.
Must replace chinese word to english word Call at the dial pad.
Make possibility of adding your own ringtones in the Settings.
Make double tap or pres hold the home button for multitask, running apps view like on iOS with appear at the bottom of the screen.
Make possibility of completely close/kill apps taking up memory and running in the background.
Make dialing numbers sound quieter (it's set to max by default).
Make lock/unlock sound quieter (it's set to max by default but should be possible to customize).
Make full-screen camera mode when taking photos.
Correct + - add sound mode when playing video, music (quiet sound from 2 to 6 bars and after 6 bars it's big increase in sound).
Remake Videos app (it should redirect/open phone's gallery instead of SDcard content).
Remake YouTube app (it should be in English or redirect/open youtube.com).
WLAN folder in Settings should be renamed to Wi-Fi.
Phone warms up when gaming, talking, videos.
It doesn't recognize sim card enter when ON.
Word Wednesday comes out of the Calendar app icon.
Power On/Off button dangles, swing around with sound.
Upper background part can be seen when charging.
While start pinching any picture from the center it zooms in with imprecision to the side of the picture.
Battery life doesn't shows properly on lock screen (it shows all empty when screen corner shows less of 20% battery life).
It Reboots by itself few times during the day when locking the screen.
If you know any other issues please add them by numbers 39, 40....
Or if you have solutions for any of the issues please also add it by the 1-38 numbers.
I hope we can make it better together!
Possible Solutions to Gooapple V5 issues.
Generally speaking, I don't think that all these reasons are real for every V5 phone around. Did you wipe out every data BEFORE flashing the new rom? If not, certain applications may have been running multiple times (i.e.: Maps in my case when I did that). I am using the android rom (not the iOS one) and I have not all these problems whatsoever.
Possible solutions:
1. Try and see if you have data enabled or GPS is on. This device has a hardcoded (R) Roaming on (i.e. you can't turn it off) plus it's not (yet) capable of 3G data. Turn both of them off while not needing them helps A LOT.
2. Not an issue here with newest android build; maybe your screen has issues. I've had some friends with original iPhones having the same flickering as yours. Turned out to be their retina display.
3. Not true. I'm connecting on both my wifi spots at home both Wep and WAP/PSK. Wifi is low powered though and need you to be NEAR the wifi router / spot (see below).
4. True! Just 5 meters away and a mid-wall makes the difference. They really need to boost their receiver.
5.Try reinstalling AFTER you've made a complete wipe data/factory reset. THEN install the rom. This might fix the issue.
6.I'd really like to see a list of USSD commands if you have one available for this phone... (pm me??? )
7.Same for Greek keyboard. I've overcame the problem by installing Greek Input Method from the market.
8.Heh. +1
9.It works for me for both android and iOS roms.
10,11.I agree.
12.You'll have to be 'root' to do so. The only way I've found to do so is the program superoneclick (google it). After rooting the V5, download from market 'Root Uninstaller'. Works perfectly even with the 'protected apps' like the one you mentioned. I know that you don't have 'market' on iOS rom so here's what I did:
I've had a factory reset first, then installed Android rom and THEN the iOS rom. I've also installed a program called 'Go Launcer EX'. This pops up when unlocking the device asking you what launcher you prefer, this way you have the best of both worlds.
13-16: Agree.
17 & 18: The problem is the retina display with the slow (relatively) 650MHz MTK6573 processor. The G3 (previous model) had a smaller screen that the cpu was able to handle. On android rom things are better though...
19 & 20: Agree.
21: On android you can do so by adding your custom ringtones on a folder called /alarms, /ringtones etc on your sd card. Should work for us too (didn't try it yet).
22. Agree.
23. I am using an app from market called: Advanced Task Manager does the trick.
24-31. Agree.
32. I didn't go that far!!! I guess you're right.
33 & 34. Yep.
35 & 36. I haven't got such a problem. Consider the retina screen of yours has a problem / issue?
37&38. Nope. Works alright here.
Finally another issue with no solution:
39. GPS lock. The GPS won't operate properly in EU (Greece) where I live. Takes forever to find satellites and it won't lock to a fix point even if you wait 10 mins. This is what I'm after right now and if I have a proper solution I'll post it here.
Thanks for putting up this thread Cyber_dude. If you need anything I'll be more than glad to help!
Thanks for your reply.
We have talked with GooApple for about a week now and sure I have made all needed such as wipe data before firmware update. That's because you are basically using Android ROM. Customers buying phones like this one because they just want iPhone for less and want everybody else think they got an iPhone. So using Android on any iPhone replica is just not right. It should run fake iOS and should be at least 60% of the original one. This phone costs $300 icnl. shipping at resellers (price of used iPhone 4 on eBay) and I think user interface should be well polished and flawless for that money.
Yes, Maps on last gooapple_ios_11.12.08 works in English now. But after resolving one problem they made two others, like it doesn't react on first home button push after lock screen, it only shows unlock screen after the second home button push or fast twice push.
1. That's not a solution! Sure I have turned everything like wi-fi, gps... off. But customers want it to be fully functional phone, without thinking: "ohh., have I turned my phone's wi-fi and gps off to kepp the battery alive?" It's shouldn't be like that!
They have you used so low capacity 1050mAh battery. (but we think it's even less). The original iPhone's has 1420mAh. And there are even 2200-2430mAh on the market today. They have changed screen, ram, cpu but keep the same battery. It's just stupid. And it's smaller then iPhone's battery so you just can't replace it. It works maximum up to 3 hours in active usage mode without gaming. (with full brightness on, because turning it less on this screen is just sacrilege).
That's they have answered about that: "when making a phone, we have to consider a lot of things, especially the cost, when everything is as great as iphone 4, the price will be too..."
2. Yes, it's old issue, it resolves after reinstall.
3. It's true. It works on you because your wep password is large then 8 characters. It doesn't work with less passwords like mac or iPhone.
5. Yes, new firmware resolved that.
6. I mean USSD commands for checking balance.
But here is a command to enter EngineerMode: *#67876#*
7. Stock keyboard is a crap. I use Smart Keyboard Pro.
8. I can change robot with apple booting animation but can't change gooapple name at the beginning. I think it's logo.img at the rom zip file. I have tried to delete it and make other changes to the rom but can't sign it. It's always shows sign error at the install.
9. It works but it works very-very badly. Then you are trying to move icon to other position it creates a folder with other icon, it's so annoying.
12. I have also made the root with the SuperOneClick. And delete Chinese apps with Root Explorer.
Thanks for Go Launcer EX advise. What else it can help us with?
17 & 18. They used MTK6513 it's cuted MTK6573 without 3G. It's not the best one anyway.
21. Yes, I also want to try to add custom ringtone to media directory folder.
23. Yes, I also use Advanced Task Killer Pro on gooapple_ios_11.11.30 but they have added double tap home button like iPhone to kill running apps on gooapple_ios_11.12.08
35 & 36. These issues are real and haven't resolved on new roms. That's not screen problem, I can make a screenshot if needed.
37. This one is also real. Can also make a screenshot.
38. Haven't seen this issue on gooapple_ios_11.11.30
39. Maybe you should try to test it in EngineerMode Have you tried to use any other GPS third-party application?
I didn't know about this issue because I haven't tried GPS, no need with this battery.
Do you know how to replace chinese word (Call) to english word Call at the dial pad? Because it's immediately catches the eye when using. I have decompiled the Phone.apk with APK Edit program but all image files are normal over where, chinese word is not an image file. I don't know how to change it.
Just lets keep this thread go by adding new issues and how to solutions.
Got my V5 about 2 weeks ago. Been playing with it for a while - tried both the newer roms and currently running the ios version that is made available about 10 days ago. Been working fine for me, except I may gps is very slow (can take up to 10 minutes for it to find me), and the built in FM Transmitter does not work. I also have various chinese apps which I was not able to delete. I will try the latest rom to see what improvemements it has.
Question, how did you root the phone? I downloaded superoneclick, but keep getting hung on the "waiting for device". I have usb debuggin on, and tried it both with "usb connect" on and off (the setting in the phone to establish a usb connection to a PC). Instead of using this "usb connect" feature, do I need to download some type of usb driver for this phone? If so, can you provide details? I've tried various usb drivers for MT6513 but nothing yet works - even tried something called PDANet which installed some type of software oin the phone and said it was connected, but still the superoneclick failed. Any ideas?
Oh, by the way I found a vending.apk that works on the ios rom. See link below
http://www.mediafire.com/?khpvzmzwwaqyxdm
Thanks
I have uploaded the drivers for GooApple V5, here is the link: http://www.mediafire.com/?h6hr1ckrf3sc7cj
How to root your GooApple V5:
Make sure you use Win XP.
Download drivers file from the link above and unzip it.
Phone Settings -> Applications -> Unknown sources, on
Phone Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB debugging, on
Phone Settings -> Applications -> Development -> to keep awake, on
Phone Settings -> Applications -> Development -> Allow analog location, on
Connect the data cable, turn on USB storage in the phone.
In the Windows Device Manager (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_Manager) find your phone, open properties and install or update the drivers from the unzipped folder.
Reboot your computer.
Now download the SuperOneClick from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682 If you run XP, install .NET Framework v2.0 or above.
Shut down your antivirus/firewall.
Turn off USB storage in the phone. Make sure you do not mount the sd card.
Run the SuperOneClick BOOT process. If it's not success from the first time try it again.
After that install the Root Explorer to your phone, go system/app, push Mount R/W button and delete any app you want.
Thanks for the vending.apk, here are also some tips for it: http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/how-to-install-new-android-market-2-2-6-on-your-device/
Cyber_Dude, thanks for the engineering mode code. You've done a nice job on the rooting info. Just for the story: I've done it on W7, 32bit and worked alright too. Newest superoneclick has the ability to forcibly ask for Admin privileges. Drivers have to be installed manually though.
I've found out into the Engineering menu that there's a CPU Frequency test that reports a high of 806MHz. THAT would be awesome to have when needed. Do you have any *working* utility that is able to over clock the MTK6573 CPU of it? I've tried some from the market but with no luck whatsoever.
Some info on the WiFi boosting would be helpful too. I've been digging into the /etc directory and found out several conf files that may, or may not do the job. I'd rather not alter the values on my own though...
Ah, finally another addition:
There seems to be an issue importing/exporting my contacts from the phone to google.com. Plus the Account and Sync options on the settings menu isn't reporting the respective field (i.e.: only Picassa, books and gmail is able to sync. Contacts is not on the list).
Thanks.
Cyber_dude - thanks for the rooting details. Got my V5 rooted today, and it worked from my vista laptop (didn't need a xp PC). I deleted the 9 chinese apps no problem including the chinese market app.
The vending.apk I provided works whether you root or not - however now that I'm rooted I will keep your instructions in mind if I want to upgrade to a different market version.
I'm still on the Dec1/2011 ios rom - anyone know what the newer ios rom (Dec10/2011) has to offer? I have tons of apps and settings personalized, so I'm not really wanting to wipe the phone to load the latest ios rom unless I know it will have some improvements.
Only problems I still have, which I would appreciate feedback on, are:
1) gps is very slow to find my location (can take up to 30 minutes). Funy thing is that as I scroll on the map it refreshes fast, and I can find addresses and streets, but it just can not find my location?
2) ther built in FM Transmitter does not work - would love to get this working since I do not have bluetooth stereo in the car. FYI - found other fmtransmiiter.apk apps on the net - can I just replace my existing same app on systems/bin to make it work?
Thanks
Have you tried it with the 'new' Android UI ROM? How does it perform? I'd really like to see some videos - youtube only has 13 and I've seen them all ..
DanADaMan said:
Only problems I still have, which I would appreciate feedback on, are:
1) gps is very slow to find my location (can take up to 30 minutes). Funy thing is that as I scroll on the map it refreshes fast, and I can find addresses and streets, but it just can not find my location?
2) ther built in FM Transmitter does not work - would love to get this working since I do not have bluetooth stereo in the car. FYI - found other fmtransmiiter.apk apps on the net - can I just replace my existing same app on systems/bin to make it work?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Same thing here. From the data sheet (from Mediatek) of the MTK6573 (which this phone has) the update location should be as fast as 10ms (that's 1/100 of a second) so something is DEFINITELY wrong.
2) I think you'll have to 'sign' it somehow. There are some apps that are supposed to provide 'signed' apps but never got to work with one; so I have no experience.
Cheers
macsga, DanADaMan, you are welcome.
I think cpu overclocking is not in time now and it also can make even worse. But we'll be glad if you can find any good, stable working app for that and test it. The only thing need to be overclocked now is the iOS UI, it should have to be polished well to match the original one.
For WiFi boosting, have you tried Wifi Fixer or Wifi Analyzer, you can change your WiFi channels with it.
GPS chipset is very bad. It's just a copy, fake phone, so they have used the cheapest hardware parts for it, we should reconcile to it. Unless they somehow fix it in new firmware, but I don't think it's gonna happen in near future. The main market for this phone is China, so they don't hasten with any international changes. As GooApple sales director said to me: "we sold more then 500pcs aday, should this problem happend to every phone, i think all the phone should return to us". So maybe chinese people are just not as demanding as we are, and they are happy with the phone? Anyway, I think with a good administrative force all listed issues can be resolved in just one week.
By the way, as I know they are planning to produce new phone in January with the 3G support. No info about any other new hardware at the moment.
Meantime we have to add new issues to the list:
39. GPS is very slow to find my location (can take up to 30 minutes).
40. Built in FM Transmitter does not work.
41. Importing/exporting my contacts from the phone to google.com. Plus the Account and Sync options on the settings menu isn't reporting the respective field (i.e.: only Picassa, books and gmail is able to sync. Contacts is not on the list).
42. In last gooapple_ios_11.12.08 firmware it doesn't react on first home button push after lock screen, it only shows unlock screen after the second home button push or fast twice push.
Updates in the last gooapple_ios_11.12.08 firmware:
Increase in task manager.
Blocking state to increase unread text message reminder.
Debug chinese QQ picture upside down.
Some Google applications added (en maps, gmail, voice..)
Task Manager.
Standby SMS prompts.
Double-click the home button shows running/standby apps and kill possibility like in original iOS.
Plus issue 42 added.
I haven't tried all new features in gooapple_ios_11.12.08 I don't want to use it because of the 42 issue. Now I'm using previous gooapple_ios_11.11.30 version. If anyone already installed and running the gooapple_ios_11.12.08 please give us your feedback.
DanADaMan, maybe you should try to make the data backup in stock recovery mode first and install firmware update after that? Maybe this should keep all your apps in and give you the new firmware? (haven't tried by myself)
jontelang, Sure, Android UI works much better with it, but I personally don't want to use it on this phone, it would be too simple and means you gave up making iOS UI ROM better.
As a side note, I've noticed that the phone is able to provide extraordinary 2D & 3D performance. I don't agree with the comment "It's just a copy, fake phone, so they have used the cheapest hardware parts for it, we should reconcile to it." you posted earlier Cyber_Dude, because I've seen cheap devices and this is nothing like it.
I do believe that the dev team has issues supporting the phone chipset due to the novelty that presents at the current time. This processor came out only at the end of June 2011 (fairly new).
News about MTK MT6573 Processor
Monday, June 13, 2011 3:25:26 AM America/Los_Angeles
Since the release MTK MT6516 processor, there is lots of Android phones in the market, which support GSM network and dual SIM card smartphone. But later, when Qualcomm, Broadcom and other smartphone processor manufacturer access into the field, mtk's dimmed. MTK MT6573 is the only hope in the future.
The end of June, 2011, we will share the latest trends with you, with the following new star.
Time: the first smartphone with MT6573 processor has been assembled, the major integrators, solution providers have had contact with, the reaction generally very good, have begun to prepare the relevant program models. As far as know, next month the first smartphone with MT6573 processor will unveiled.
Performance: As MT6573 is positioned in the low-end smartphone, we should not expect performance of deification, but the actual test performance to facilitate more than Qualcomm MSM7227, while MT6573 with the 3D acceleration in the multimedia DSP will give you a surprise. Currently sent to the integrators, solution providers of 3G features are still several prototype debugging.
Programs: MT6573 and MT6516 share same pins, and the both chips can be exchange without any hardware change, this will save cost on design for smartphone manufacturers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Via: http://android-sale.com/blog/news-mtk-mt6573/
macsga, But have you test it side by side with the iPhone 4 (not talking about 4S)?
Sure if comparing with other copies it's a winner. It's the best choice if you want to buy an iPhone replica for the price of the used iPhone 4 and you're not too picky. But it's a huge contrast with the original iPhone 4 UI performance, speed and hardware. And at the present time it's not totally ready for the wide international market due to the all listed issues. That's why I have started this thread, all together we can make it better. Unfortunately GooApple's dev team/engineers do nothing for it, local market and the new phone's version is their main goal at the moment. I know that because I've contacted with the GooApple sales director for the last 3 weeks.
As I have posted before they used MTK6513 it's cut MTK6573 without 3G support. It's good but not the best one. Anyway CPU is not the main problem of GooApple V5. The low capacity battery is much bigger failure. The android-sale.com is just a reseller, they can write anything they want to sell the phones more efficiently.
Hehe, I do have a 4s and (you're right) side by side there's nothing like it. That's why I gave up on iOS UI and turned to the android native one. I do believe that it's a perfect android testbed though. And for 230 Eur (retail price) that the 32Gb model cost me; well I can't really complain.
So; I totally agree! Let's try and make it better
The UI might be faster if you lower the resolution (i.e.: draw @ 480x320 and not the retina native resolution this phone has). It's zoom capabilities should cover the gap and reduce choppiness. Of course, this is just a crazy thought of mine...
macsga, Where have you got it for 230 EURO for 32GB? Official resellers like android-sale.com and rofen.net selling 32GB model for $319.99 (245 EURO) without shipping cost.
How could you lower the resolution? And why? If you want lower resolution you just should buy cheaper GooApple 3G version and it has faster UI response: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqAevweocKs
Cyber_Dude said:
macsga, Where have you got it for 230 EURO for 32GB? Official resellers like android-sale.com and rofen.net selling 32GB model for $319.99 (245 EURO) without shipping cost.
How could you lower the resolution? And why? If you want lower resolution you just should buy cheaper GooApple 3G version and it has faster UI response: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqAevweocKs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it before the EUR/USD was at 1/1.29 which is what you just calculated . The lower resolution (magnified) would in my opinion give the fast and smooth feeling the 3G has.
As per why I didn't go for the 3G, I did not, because of the retina display the V5 has. The official replacement for a retina display from Apple goes up to 390EUR+pnp, where I got the whole phone for 230 (OK plus 11$ shipping). In the meanwhile I have an android phone to play with (apart from my 4s). Fair deal.
I just wiped the phone and tried to load the ios 12-08-11 rom. Got an error something about not being a signed rom. I reinstalled the ios 12-01-11 ios rom no problem.
Anyone else have problems loading the latest ios rom?
Thanks
is this real?
i have heard that the Gooapple v5 is very good, and it is the same display as the real iphone 4, and can exchange with the iphone 4 display, does this ture?
DanADaMan said:
I just wiped the phone and tried to load the ios 12-08-11 rom. Got an error something about not being a signed rom. I reinstalled the ios 12-01-11 ios rom no problem.
Anyone else have problems loading the latest ios rom?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are newer ones from 2011.12.10 on http://rom.gooapple.com use those. Hopefully you won't have the same issues. Correction: Unfortunately the new Android one is not signed- The iOS though works OK
---------- Post added at 05:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:01 PM ----------
lovebargaining said:
is this real?
i have heard that the Gooapple v5 is very good, and it is the same display as the real iphone 4, and can exchange with the iphone 4 display, does this ture?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's real. You can watch exchanging one another, on youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s7nUkSdzOqo
The flickering at the corners of the screen is annoying on mine, has this developed from the latest ROM or did you guys see it in previous? I've only had it a few days and updated straight away. I've resorted to the android UI cos the IOS one was sluggish but am more than happy to swap back to help?!
What I did find was GTA III kills this phone. On launch the intro plays but as the game launches the screen goes black and the phone will not respond to any button pressing for an hour, then I think it kills the process and the phone comes back. Just don't try, unless someone can tell me otherwise?
Mine responds on one click of the home button right now but Wireless is pants and so is GPS!
---------- Post added at 09:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 PM ----------
How do I tell if I loaded 2011-12-08 or 2011-12-11?
I downloaded them on the 15th and loaded the Android one without any complaints of it being unsigned? Did it over the top of the version it came with though so not fresh install...
EDIT:
Thought it was worth adding how to get into engineers menu:
Dial “*#67876#*”
Is there a way to turn WiFi Tx from 20 to 40 or even more?
I need to root mine still
I never noticed flickering and I have to say that the latest 'iOS' rom is a bit faster on my device resulting in a rather good imitation while the previous was very choppy.
The only drawback is that the UI crashes every now and then. I do like the 'long press' function of the home button that is able to kill apps in the 'official' iOS mode plus I think for the 1st time since I owned this phone that I like more the iOS UI to the android one.
I do have to offer a couple of tips that I found through my xda search:
1. Using a program like Root Explorer (root) you may want to make the following directories as Read Only: /data/tombstones and /data/system/dropbox
This has as a result, that the phone won't be able to log into the main phone memory thus trimming down your available space.
2. *IF* you're using the iOS UI version of the rom you can safely(?) remove the following apps (I state them as bloatware) via Root Uninstaller (root):
-QQ input method and keyboard
-Chinese market
-Chinese Youtube (Yuku)
-Chinese Maps
-Chinese Weather (3 entries, remove all three)
-Chinese iBooks (Google books does the job)
3. Add the following app: Locale Select from the Market and choose your language of choice.
4. If you search the xda site you will be able to find signed Google Apps that (most of them) work with this phone.
Ah, one last thing: I found the best player for playing p0r... erm, Movies, MoboPlayer with the additional ArmV7VFP3 plugin. Supports almost every codec and srt file out there and respective char encodings. Please ignore the message: This program is not compatible with your device. Works like a charm, I swear.
Cheers.
Dear X2 users,
I am thinking about purchasing X2, and I would like to ask you to share your experience with this device, and also help me understand a few moments. I am pretty new to nowadays devices, and my experience is limited to rooting and changing rom on old galaxy nexus years ago.
1. Firstly, I see users post updated firmware in this forum for X2, different GEM versions. How do I know which version will I purchase? Can it be viewed somewhere in settings/menus? In the shops of my country, this device is called "Mediapad X2 LTE". I want to know the version to be able to understand which updates and customization might be available for this device.
2. Secondly, I would like to ask your opinion about the amount of RAM. Unfortunately, 3 GB version is not available in my country, none of the suppliers can offer it. I don't want to buy it online from other countries, because locally purchased device may have extended warranty, warranty against braking/losing/water-destorying the device etc. So, I can buy 2 GB version or nothing. I shall use the device for movies via VLC, internet browsing, youtube videos, calls, alarm clock, a few news apps. I never play games, and almost never use camera. I think 2 GB of RAM should be enough, but I would like to ask you to share your memory usage just to be sure.
3. Say I will have a reason to rood the device and change the recovery to TWRP. And say after some time something will stop working, and I will need to bring the device to warranty service. Will it be possible to restore the standard recovery and un-root the device to avoid any questions at warranty service?
4. This post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/mediapad-x2/general/emui-3-1-apps-multiscreen-t3193389
Does it mean that it is possible to make X2 display two different programs at the same time, like e.g. on galaxy note 4 ?
5. I've read that sometimes preinstalled apps are slowing down the device and are useless. What is your experience? Is it necessary to get root to remove this bloatware?
Thank you for sharing your experience in advance
Hi
Just my sharing to your 5 questions:
1) There are 3 variants for X2 --> GEM-701L, GEM-702L and GEM-703L depending on which country. I noticed GEM-701L is prevalent in Europe (eg. Russsia), GEM-702L in Asia except China (eg. Hong Kong, Taiwan) and GEM-703L is for the China market. So far Huawei seems to have concentrated the ROM upgrades for the model GEM-703L which currently is at Android 5.11. The other 2 models are still at Android 5.0.5. If you're able to have physical access to the X2 in your country's shop, you can check the model by SETTINGS--->ABOUT PHONE--->MODEL NO.
2) Based on your usage description personally I think 2GB RAM is sufficient. Of course the general rule is the more RAM the better.
3) Yes it is possible to un-root your X2 and restore it back to stock status.
4) Yes - this is the split screen feature available if you're on GEM-703L models only.
5) I never had the experience of the X2 pre-installed bloatware affecting my usage so far. Anyway to prevent the effect of bloatware slowing down the device if you experience it, you can "disable" these pre-installed apps from the MANAGE APPS within the SETTINGS. No need to root the device to disable it. After reboot these bloatware won't start anymore. But to remove/uninstall these then you need root access.
To add on to your Q1, another way to check which model is the X2 in your country's shop is by checking the LTE Bands that is supported as stated in the advertisement of your shop:
GEM-701L
LTE Bands 1/3/7/20/38/40
Model: GEM-702L
LTE Bands 1/3/7/8/28/38/39/40/41
Model: GEM-703L
LTE Bands 1/3/7/38/39/40/41
Hope the above helps.
---------- Post added at 03:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------
To further add-on, the coming Android Marshmallow 6.0 Huawei has announced officially that they'll upgrade the GEM-703L only
Darn. I hope the 702 to 703 method will allow a 6.0 update
Rudolpht said:
Darn. I hope the 702 to 703 method will allow a 6.0 update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well keep our fingers crossed, will attempt it when it comes.
kpcheang2 said:
Hi
Just my sharing to your 5 questions:
1) There are 3 variants for X2 --> GEM-701L, GEM-702L and GEM-703L depending on which country. I noticed GEM-701L is prevalent in Europe (eg. Russsia), GEM-702L in Asia except China (eg. Hong Kong, Taiwan) and GEM-703L is for the China market. So far Huawei seems to have concentrated the ROM upgrades for the model GEM-703L which currently is at Android 5.11. The other 2 models are still at Android 5.0.5. If you're able to have physical access to the X2 in your country's shop, you can check the model by SETTINGS--->ABOUT PHONE--->MODEL NO.
2) Based on your usage description personally I think 2GB RAM is sufficient. Of course the general rule is the more RAM the better.
3) Yes it is possible to un-root your X2 and restore it back to stock status.
4) Yes - this is the split screen feature available if you're on GEM-703L models only.
5) I never had the experience of the X2 pre-installed bloatware affecting my usage so far. Anyway to prevent the effect of bloatware slowing down the device if you experience it, you can "disable" these pre-installed apps from the MANAGE APPS within the SETTINGS. No need to root the device to disable it. After reboot these bloatware won't start anymore. But to remove/uninstall these then you need root access.
To add on to your Q1, another way to check which model is the X2 in your country's shop is by checking the LTE Bands that is supported as stated in the advertisement of your shop:
GEM-701L
LTE Bands 1/3/7/20/38/40
Model: GEM-702L
LTE Bands 1/3/7/8/28/38/39/40/41
Model: GEM-703L
LTE Bands 1/3/7/38/39/40/41
Hope the above helps.
---------- Post added at 03:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------
To further add-on, the coming Android Marshmallow 6.0 Huawei has announced officially that they'll upgrade the GEM-703L only
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for such a detailed answer. I have visited a local shop, so it is GEM 701. I tried to load the device with software, and I didn't exceed 1 GB of RAM usage. So I guess 2 GB should be enough in all cases of my non overloaded usage.
Just a couple more questions:
6. Does this device have a one handed operation, when all the screen becomes smaller and moves to the right side of the screen? Samsung and some other phones with big screens has this functionality, but I didn't find it in this device. Is it there?
7. I installed Apex launcher and Nova launcher on that device in the shop, because I prefer the app drawer (secondary menu for apps instead of all of them being on the desktop). With these launchers half of desktop in each homescreen is black. Do you have any experience of these aftermarket launchers? Did you have any issues? What may be the reason for the half of the screen being black? Haven't found any similar topics anywhere on the web ...
8. Just for a curiosity - GEM 701 and two other versions are basically different for their supported radio bands. How come the split-screen functionality is dependent on that?
Thank you again for your time sharing the experience
astuntas said:
Thank you so much for such a detailed answer. I have visited a local shop, so it is GEM 701. I tried to load the device with software, and I didn't exceed 1 GB of RAM usage. So I guess 2 GB should be enough in all cases of my non overloaded usage.
Just a couple more questions:
6. Does this device have a one handed operation, when all the screen becomes smaller and moves to the right side of the screen? Samsung and some other phones with big screens has this functionality, but I didn't find it in this device. Is it there?
7. I installed Apex launcher and Nova launcher on that device in the shop, because I prefer the app drawer (secondary menu for apps instead of all of them being on the desktop). With these launchers half of desktop in each homescreen is black. Do you have any experience of these aftermarket launchers? Did you have any issues? What may be the reason for the half of the screen being black? Haven't found any similar topics anywhere on the web ...
8. Just for a curiosity - GEM 701 and two other versions are basically different for their supported radio bands. How come the split-screen functionality is dependent on that?
Thank you again for your time sharing the experience
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6. Does this device have a one handed operation, when all the screen becomes smaller and moves to the right side of the screen? Samsung and some other phones with big screens has this functionality, but I didn't find it in this device. Is it there?
[kpcheang2] Currently no. I"m not sure if they will implement it via future ROM feature upgrades.
7. I installed Apex launcher and Nova launcher on that device in the shop, because I prefer the app drawer (secondary menu for apps instead of all of them being on the desktop). With these launchers half of desktop in each homescreen is black. Do you have any experience of these aftermarket launchers? Did you have any issues? What may be the reason for the half of the screen being black? Haven't found any similar topics anywhere on the web ...
[kpcheang2] I never used these 2 launchers so I can't comment much. Could it be these launchers are targeted at smartphones because some APKs have display related issues when working in smartphone or tablet modes as there are too many resolution variations for Android devices. You may want to write to the developers to confirm.
8. Just for a curiosity - GEM 701 and two other versions are basically different for their supported radio bands. How come the split-screen functionality is dependent on that?
[kpcheang2] The split screen feature was implemented in B106 ROM of the GEM-703L - that's why it's available to owners of GEM-703 If you follow their official upgrade path. They never upgrade the ROM for GEM-701 and 702 so far. However if you want to try flashing the B106 onto the 701 to see whether it works at your own risk and of course voiding the warranty. I did it on my 702 and I got the feature working although the B106 was meant for 703.
Thank again for your time sharing the experience, it helps a lot to get things clearer.
Today I visited the shop again. Now I installed all the apps I use, and looked how they performed. I installed firefox, chrome, vlc, contacts plus, and a few other. Then I launched stock apps - youtube, google playstore, and something more. The device was taking 1.2 GB of ram. So now I am sure 2 GB is enough.
All the apps performed without any issues, at least as much as I could have tested. There was a tiny lag during browsing with firefox at moments when apps were being downloaded and installed in the background via Play store, but this is totally reasonable.
Then, I tried all the different launchers to see if I can get the broken background fixed with any of them. I tried again Apex and Nova and looked at their settings without any luck to solve the problem. Then I tried Action launcher and Google Now launcher - they all had the same black marks on the screen. So I guess it is a firmware issue, not related to the launchers. This means I will have to live with the default launcher if I purchase it.
I took a better look at preinstalled apps. There are none! Playstore, contacts, chrome, video player and a couple others, thats all. No bloatware at all. Nothing is launched after the phone is started.
I also tested GPS - it went very smooth, in a few seconds it connected to 8 or 10 satelites and gave a good accuracy despite I was inside the building.
I am now confused between X2 and Note4. I put them side by side in the shop. Note4 was really noticeably faster in performance, better firmware, multiscreen function, etc. But, while Note has advantages, most of them are not important to me - the screen of Note4 is ridiculously small - it is not a phablet, it is a phone with normal size screen (for a phone).
So I am heading towards X2. It is also almost twice cheaper, but that does not play the main role in decision ...
Just one more question about X2: I didn't manage to launch any additional widget. I didn't find anywhere in the settings to enable them. But there are two preinstalled widgets: google search window and a big clock. So it looks that it should be possible to have a widget in the homescreen of X2, but I can't find anywhere how to do it, nor I succeeded to do it in the shop. Is it possible? If so - how?
++EDIT: I also tested FM radio in the shop in this device. It was very bad quality. I tried different headphones for antena, with all of them the sound was inappropriate. So, even though FM radio is available, actually it is useless because of unacceptable quality. PS: the radio signal was really good because all the other stereo devices were playing without any issues.
astuntas said:
Thank again for your time sharing the experience, it helps a lot to get things clearer.
Today I visited the shop again. Now I installed all the apps I use, and looked how they performed. I installed firefox, chrome, vlc, contacts plus, and a few other. Then I launched stock apps - youtube, google playstore, and something more. The device was taking 1.2 GB of ram. So now I am sure 2 GB is enough.
All the apps performed without any issues, at least as much as I could have tested. There was a tiny lag during browsing with firefox at moments when apps were being downloaded and installed in the background via Play store, but this is totally reasonable.
Then, I tried all the different launchers to see if I can get the broken background fixed with any of them. I tried again Apex and Nova and looked at their settings without any luck to solve the problem. Then I tried Action launcher and Google Now launcher - they all had the same black marks on the screen. So I guess it is a firmware issue, not related to the launchers. This means I will have to live with the default launcher if I purchase it.
I took a better look at preinstalled apps. There are none! Playstore, contacts, chrome, video player and a couple others, thats all. No bloatware at all. Nothing is launched after the phone is started.
I also tested GPS - it went very smooth, in a few seconds it connected to 8 or 10 satelites and gave a good accuracy despite I was inside the building.
I am now confused between X2 and Note4. I put them side by side in the shop. Note4 was really noticeably faster in performance, better firmware, multiscreen function, etc. But, while Note has advantages, most of them are not important to me - the screen of Note4 is ridiculously small - it is not a phablet, it is a phone with normal size screen (for a phone).
So I am heading towards X2. It is also almost twice cheaper, but that does not play the main role in decision ...
Just one more question about X2: I didn't manage to launch any additional widget. I didn't find anywhere in the settings to enable them. But there are two preinstalled widgets: google search window and a big clock. So it looks that it should be possible to have a widget in the homescreen of X2, but I can't find anywhere how to do it, nor I succeeded to do it in the shop. Is it possible? If so - how?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vey detailed research you've done on the X2. You're like me - I did similar "touch" and "install" routine on the X1 (my country has no X2) just to make sure I'm comfortable with the X2 (they're both similar in size and capacity except for CPU and dual SIM LTE support).
As for widgets, yes you can install the default or 3rd party widgets. Just put 3 fingers on the home screen for 1-2 seconds and then lift up. The home screen will shrink to let you customise it. Once of the available customisation option is to add widgets (shown at the bottom). The list of available widgets will be the pre-installed ones plus other 3rd party apps that has widget capabilities.
astuntas said:
Then, I tried all the different launchers to see if I can get the broken background fixed with any of them. I tried again Apex and Nova and looked at their settings without any luck to solve the problem. Then I tried Action launcher and Google Now launcher - they all had the same black marks on the screen. So I guess it is a firmware issue, not related to the launchers. This means I will have to live with the default launcher if I purchase it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uh no. this is android. everything is possible and with the huawei firmware its more tweakable. you just didnt look hard enough.
to make another launcher default you just need to do the following:
actually, just see this video. its all the same for all huawei.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YozCv4lZNM
cylent: the launchers do work. The problem is that half of the homescreen becomes black with nothing on it with an aftermarket launchers
kpcheang2: I will try to edit widgets in the shop tomorrow by your explanation. But I think this won't play the main role and I will buy X2 anyway
I use Nova and it works well full screen. Are you opening Multi Window for some reason?
So, today I was in the shop again. Firstly, I tried widgets, and I also tried homescreen toggle switches - apparently, everything is working.
Then I tried again to make Nova launcher work. It was still a black screen - I tried different settings in the phone and different settings in Nova - nothing helped. This is how it looked:
https://youtu.be/Y2ZyaQFMYio
In the video, firstly I am on standard launcher, then I turn on the Nova. "Home" button returned me to the default launcher because Nova was not set as default. I later set it to default, but doing that didn't change anything.
Then I restarted the phone - still the same. Then I changed the background image (in Nova) - and it started to work normally - no black screen! Changed it to a few other backgrounds - it was still working good. Not sure what was the exact issues, furthermore it was the same with ALL aftermarket launchers, and in two different shops with two different devices (both GEM701 with B003 FW). So I will call this issue also solved.
So now everything is clear I guess. I will order a glass protection and silicon cover for X2, and as soon as they arrive - purchase the phone.
Thank you again everybody, especially kpcheang2, for help and all the information, it would had been difficult to find out everything without you. Thank you!
Glad it's working! I typically like glass protectors, but the device shipped with an installed protector. I use a flip smart cover on every device I had so I figure that buys me enough protection.
kpcheang2 said:
6. Does this device have a one handed operation, when all the screen becomes smaller and moves to the right side of the screen? Samsung and some other phones with big screens has this functionality, but I didn't find it in this device. Is it there?
[kpcheang2] Currently no. I"m not sure if they will implement it via future ROM feature upgrades.
7. I installed Apex launcher and Nova launcher on that device in the shop, because I prefer the app drawer (secondary menu for apps instead of all of them being on the desktop). With these launchers half of desktop in each homescreen is black. Do you have any experience of these aftermarket launchers? Did you have any issues? What may be the reason for the half of the screen being black? Haven't found any similar topics anywhere on the web ...
[kpcheang2] I never used these 2 launchers so I can't comment much. Could it be these launchers are targeted at smartphones because some APKs have display related issues when working in smartphone or tablet modes as there are too many resolution variations for Android devices. You may want to write to the developers to confirm.
8. Just for a curiosity - GEM 701 and two other versions are basically different for their supported radio bands. How come the split-screen functionality is dependent on that?
[kpcheang2] The split screen feature was implemented in B106 ROM of the GEM-703L - that's why it's available to owners of GEM-703 If you follow their official upgrade path. They never upgrade the ROM for GEM-701 and 702 so far. However if you want to try flashing the B106 onto the 701 to see whether it works at your own risk and of course voiding the warranty. I did it on my 702 and I got the feature working although the B106 was meant for 703.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
Is it possible to manually update the Gem-703l B106 onto Gem-702L, to get split screen?. Or do we need to unlock bootloader and root first?
Aznbull said:
Hi.
Is it possible to manually update the Gem-703l B106 onto Gem-702L, to get split screen?. Or do we need to unlock bootloader and root first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock and root first.
Aznbull said:
Hi.
Is it possible to manually update the Gem-703l B106 onto Gem-702L, to get split screen?. Or do we need to unlock bootloader and root first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to unlock bootloader, root first before you can apply the modded ROMs
Hi all,
This is my first post so if I'm doing it wrong, please bear with me.
I love my X2 but the only thing is unless rooted, it doesn't offer split screen or multitasking options, which is a shame considering its real estate.
Does the new Android update 6.0, beta or non-beta now include this split screen option stock?
If so, I am very willing to attempt the B211 upgrade first time...
Thanks guys.
Hi mclmc -- I've got the stock OTA update to Android 6.0 and EMUI 4.0 (B202) on the 702L. I haven't found any split-screen option but there is a type of "multitasking" similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 I used to have: if you hit the lower right soft button on the X2's screen you can then flip horizontally through all the running app windows and click on the one you want (or close those you don't need anymore to save RAM space). Not sure if this is what you mean, and I don't know if this is different from Android 5.x because I did the OTA update to 6.0 before even using the phone.
Dear Jasmithers,
Sincerely thank you for your response. I was hoping that there would be an option to run two or more apps simultaneously on the same screen... Somehow I feel restricted if I'm not able to eye running programs at a glance, but that's just me.
Cheers and much appreciated for clearing this out.
No problem. I'm a neophyte on this device so don't take my word as gospel. Do a search in the top Mediapad X2 forum and you'll find people showing how multiwindow can be done if you're willing/able to root the device (although they may not be talking about 6.0/4.0 build). For example, check out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/mediapad-x2/general/emui-3-1-apps-multiscreen-t3193389
Yes, Android 6.0 has split-screen!!
I stumbled on this by accident, but Android 6.0 on my completely-stock Mediapad X2 GEM-702L (Build number GEM-702LC158B202/EMUI 4.0/Android 6.0) does indeed have split-screen capability. This is how it works:
1) Touch the screen to get the row/column of soft buttons to appear (you know the ones -- triangle=back, circle=home, square=multitask).
2) Press and HOLD the square (multitask) button. After a second or so the currently-open application will be shunted to a half-screen window, leaving the other half open for a second app.
NOTE: Not all apps are compatible with split-screen. For example, I've had Google Maps and Waze sharing the screen in split-screen mode -- very cool -- but my default music app (Poweramp) does not support split-screen.