Hi guys,
I am newbie to Android smartphones and tablets modding/hacking/ROMdeveloping and I am looking for the correct starting in this experience to optimize my learning curve.
What device should I pick? I am looking for the best compromise between these different factors:
-Large community support availability
-Hacking easiness (meaning a device most open as possible)
-Detailed guides availability
...
Every single advice is appreciated.
Regards
Okay, let's reformulate the problem differently.
Which devices has best community support on xda developers?
A thread in our forum stated that Samsung fascinate has good community support. Could that device be an appropriate starting point?
I appreciate your help xda developers!
It depends on what carrier you're gonna go with. The sprint evo probably has the largest community, looks like the evo 3d will be pretty big too. Not really sure about at&t and T-Mobile. Verizon hasn't had much lately that's been big, the original incredible has a pretty sizeable community, looks like the thunderbolt isn't bad either. Currently the phone to beat is the Samsung galaxy s2, it can only be used on at&t currently but should be coming to all carriers on the next couple months.
No money, i would recommend the sgs and if you have money to spend the sgs2.
Both are awesome devices with a huge and active community behind them.
I appreciate your help K_nivesout and Dark3n.
I gonna process this choices and come back to comment on them and choose one.
Probably this experience would help some people in the future
Hi all
I'm in a little bit of pickle and I don't no what to buy really.
Currently I have a nexus 4 as my main and regular phone, no problems its probs the best phone I've ever had.
I've just sold my Samsung s3 mini which I used during the day at work, it was nice and easy to handle in a rush.
I only have a fixed budget of £150 nothing over and has to have a 4 - 4.2inch screen nothing bigger, due coz when I am at work, I need to be able to handle it easily in one hand which nexus 4 is not really practical in doing.
I'm after a decent phone in spec wise and hopefully great community support, i love my nexus 4 coz of the customs roms available for it.
any suggestions or ideas will be much appreciated
Thank You
There are 2 threads devoted to questions about devices, please repost your question in one of these two threads: The what should I buy thread or The Device Suggestion Thread.
Thanks!
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.
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...
Click to collapse
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.
This is my first post and sorry for the ramble!
I am venturing off of iPhones and onto Androids because I have a big issue with spending $1000 on an iPhone XS Max unlocked phone and not being "allowed" to play with root. iOS 12.2 and up is not jailbreak-able... yet. Secondly, I have made some mistakes on my choice of Android phones too. I did not study up enough and have now bought 3 Androids and now have the 4th one on order (OnePlus 7 Pro). I should have looked at ROMs and MODs before deciding which to buy.
In the past two months I have purchased a Samsung Galaxy S8 because the price was decent... Now I am ready to give it to a xda developer for research and development. I am on my 4th 7 day wait period for oem lock to show up. I was almost there and didn't realize auto updates was on and 9.0 Pie installed overnight! Uggggh.
Then I bought a Moto G7 not realizing there wasn't much work being done with kernels and roms. I did root it and I do use it, but I wan't more.
Then I went back to Best Buy to grab a Pixel 3 XL only to find that they were out of stock. So, I made mistake 3... I bought a Pixel 3a XL. I rooted it, but not finding too much else being developed on it like the 3 XL.
I am a Linux fan and run 3 different Distros (Linux Mint, Kali Linux, and Fedora) and what I really want is a GOOGLE FREE Linux phone. I wanted to "Google Free" the Google Pixel 3 XL, but now all my efforts will be spent on the OnePlus 7 Pro making it a Google Free Linux phone.
So now I have two iPhones, (XS Max and XR), iPad, and three Android phones that I will have to do something with. LOL.
Anyways, I will be on here from time to time studying and hope to get to know some of you guys.
Tony
textonone said:
This is my first post and sorry for the ramble!
I am venturing off of iPhones and onto Androids because I have a big issue with spending $1000 on an iPhone XS Max unlocked phone and not being "allowed" to play with root. iOS 12.2 and up is not jailbreak-able... yet. Secondly, I have made some mistakes on my choice of Android phones too. I did not study up enough and have now bought 3 Androids and now have the 4th one on order (OnePlus 7 Pro). I should have looked at ROMs and MODs before deciding which to buy.
In the past two months I have purchased a Samsung Galaxy S8 because the price was decent... Now I am ready to give it to a xda developer for research and development. I am on my 4th 7 day wait period for oem lock to show up. I was almost there and didn't realize auto updates was on and 9.0 Pie installed overnight! Uggggh.
Then I bought a Moto G7 not realizing there wasn't much work being done with kernels and roms. I did root it and I do use it, but I wan't more.
Then I went back to Best Buy to grab a Pixel 3 XL only to find that they were out of stock. So, I made mistake 3... I bought a Pixel 3a XL. I rooted it, but not finding too much else being developed on it like the 3 XL.
I am a Linux fan and run 3 different Distros (Linux Mint, Kali Linux, and Fedora) and what I really want is a GOOGLE FREE Linux phone. I wanted to "Google Free" the Google Pixel 3 XL, but now all my efforts will be spent on the OnePlus 7 Pro making it a Google Free Linux phone.
So now I have two iPhones, (XS Max and XR), iPad, and three Android phones that I will have to do something with. LOL.
Anyways, I will be on here from time to time studying and hope to get to know some of you guys.
Tony
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..Try microG and Lineage if you don't like google
Visera said:
..Try microG and Lineage if you don't like google
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Click to collapse
That's one plan as soon as a get a phone that they support, lol. There is great options like LineageOS available for the OnePlus that I ordered. Google was great back when they were the new search engine with new algorithm... Now they have grown into a world controlling monster and are in everything.
I downloaded the data they had on me.... 9.8 gigs of everything, everywhere and who with and how. Way too much data collection.
I'm trying to figure out why screw Samsung when you left auto update on.
Sounds like your trying to justify not studying before you buy a major purchase like this most of these devices have been out long enough. Not like you bought one on release day then was blasted with a locked bootloader. I have a us locked bootloader s8 and have had my share of issues with Samsung in general and I still laugh at posts such as these
TheMadScientist said:
I'm trying to figure out why screw Samsung when you left auto update on.
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Click to collapse
Yes Mr. Obvious, I did. As I posted, I am moving off of Apple to Android and have a lot to learn. Maybe I should change the topic title to "Screw Samsung, Apple, Timers on bootloaders, Unlockable bootloaders in general, and Forum trolls." :silly:
TheMadScientist said:
Sounds like your trying to justify not studying before you buy a major purchase like this most of these devices have been out long enough. Not like you bought one on release day then was blasted with a locked bootloader.
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Click to collapse
Yes again you are correct, however, I clearly admitted "I did not study up enough" and have now bought 3 Androids and now have the 4th one on order (OnePlus 7 Pro). "I should have looked at ROMs and MODs before deciding which to buy." in case you missed it... :good: The Samsung S8 has been out since April 21st 2017 in the US with the Snapdragon processor, so it could be a lack of interest in the S8 that is the problem. The Moto G7 was released on March 20, 2019 but I rooted it the day same day I bought it without time delays etc. The Pixel 3a XL was release on May 8, 2019 and I was also able to root it on the day I bought it. These phone manufacturers should realize that there would be a nice increase in sales if they would make unlocking the bootloader easier like OnePlus and Google has. They have Knox and fuses that protect them from warrantying rooted phones anyways. OnePlus will soar in sales this year with theirs with encouraging aftermarket dev work and their OxygenOS. Google Dev is close in this developer programs. SO, screw Samsung. But in their defense... they make some awesome products.
TheMadScientist said:
I have a us locked bootloader s8 and have had my share of issues with Samsung in general and I still laugh at posts such as these
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Click to collapse
Well, laugh away big boy. These forums always seem to have people that like to ridicule newbies. I'm 56 years old and own a Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing company that also has a vBulletin information and development forums site, so I am aware of the games. To me, my post sounds funny, not *****y, but I also understand that it can be difficult to convey emotions and feelings by typing words.
I run into a lot of these technical roadblocks too when attempting to help a major corporations secure their systems from cyber threats. It's one of the reasons I have three different Linux OS distributions on my laptop with grub handling the multi-boot. Each distro has it's own great qualities.... just as these Android phone makes and models.
Have a good day young man.
Tony~
textonone said:
Yes Mr. Obvious, I did. As I posted, I am moving off of Apple to Android and have a lot to learn. Maybe I should change the topic title to "Screw Samsung, Apple, Timers on bootloaders, Unlockable bootloaders in general, and Forum trolls." :silly:
Yes again you are correct, however, I clearly admitted "I did not study up enough" and have now bought 3 Androids and now have the 4th one on order (OnePlus 7 Pro). "I should have looked at ROMs and MODs before deciding which to buy." in case you missed it... :good: The Samsung S8 has been out since April 21st 2017 in the US with the Snapdragon processor, so it could be a lack of interest in the S8 that is the problem. The Moto G7 was released on March 20, 2019 but I rooted it the day same day I bought it without time delays etc. The Pixel 3a XL was release on May 8, 2019 and I was also able to root it on the day I bought it. These phone manufacturers should realize that there would be a nice increase in sales if they would make unlocking the bootloader easier like OnePlus and Google has. They have Knox and fuses that protect them from warrantying rooted phones anyways. OnePlus will soar in sales this year with theirs with encouraging aftermarket dev work and their OxygenOS. Google Dev is close in this developer programs. SO, screw Samsung. But in their defense... they make some awesome products.
Well, laugh away big boy. These forums always seem to have people that like to ridicule newbies. I'm 56 years old and own a Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing company that also has a vBulletin information and development forums site, so I am aware of the games. To me, my post sounds funny, not *****y, but I also understand that it can be difficult to convey emotions and feelings by typing words.
I run into a lot of these technical roadblocks too when attempting to help a major corporations secure their systems from cyber threats. It's one of the reasons I have three different Linux OS distributions on my laptop with grub handling the multi-boot. Each distro has it's own great qualities.... just as these Android phone makes and models.
Have a good day young man.
Tony~
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Click to collapse
Ahhhhhh it's not on you. I've in my time seen several of the posts and love to stir the pot. I've been in the same situation myself buying used devices. Thinking surely there would be something for it and plenty of times not.
I'm not opposed to having someone mail me phones for development if that's what you mean lol.
I'm on my 3rd S8 now lol.
KyleBryant said:
I'm not opposed to having someone mail me phones for development if that's what you mean lol.
I'm on my 3rd S8 now lol.
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I was wondering if anyone was going to actually read that post and catch that! Good job, you're the lucky winner of the perpetual 7 day wait OEM locked bootloader Galaxy S8! :laugh:
BTW, tomorrow at 3:00 I am picking up a OnePlus 6T McLaren that I located. Then on the 9th, the OnePlus 7 Pro should be here. I'm going to be in hog heaven playing with these gadgets.
textonone said:
I was wondering if anyone was going to actually read that post and catch that! Good job, you're the lucky winner of the perpetual 7 day wait OEM locked bootloader Galaxy S8! :laugh:
BTW, tomorrow at 3:00 I am picking up a OnePlus 6T McLaren that I located. Then on the 9th, the OnePlus 7 Pro should be here. I'm going to be in hog heaven playing with these gadgets.
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Click to collapse
I'll legit pm you my address if you're serious lol.
I will respond shortly to your PM. Eating dinner at the moment and have to sever the umbilical cord that is connected to my phone.
textonone said:
I will respond shortly to your PM. Eating dinner at the moment and have to sever the umbilical cord that is connected to my phone.
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Lol you'll laugh at my PM
textonone said:
I will respond shortly to your PM. Eating dinner at the moment and have to sever the umbilical cord that is connected to my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You forgot to pm me lol
You've got mail...
you can fully unlock oem, rmm samsung devices with chimera software, easy steps and fully unlocked bootloader
sorry it didnt met your needs but galaxy s8 was the first phone after iphone 4 that I've kept this long and willing to keep it as long as there is good alternative